Artex.....

[Tim M]

Apart from getting it re-plastered, how does one get rid of a horrible artex effect on a wall. Can it be sanded off with a belt sander? If so is this going to be a horrendously messy and time consuming job?

They really knew how to decorate in the 70's

[codprawn]

I haven't tried removing Artex but I have had to shift plenty of Polytex textured finish. I found the best method was to use a hot air paint stripper and a wide paint scraper. Other people use a steam cleaner.

Polycell now do a product which you can use to skim over the Artex and level it off - personally I would rather get rid of it all.

[Tim M]

I say its artex, it could be something else. It's a plastery textured finish. It's been painted chocolate brown too - classy

[Phil Chitty]

Tim

Be careful if you are thinking of removing the artex as it may contain asbestos.

It was common practice to put loose asbestos fibres into artex befire it was applied to give added strength and flexibility when it was applied.

I would advise either getting it sampled before you remove it or coat it all in PVA and plaster over it.

Not worth the risk in my mind.

[three-rex]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I haven't tried removing Artex but I have had to shift plenty of Polytex textured finish. I found the best method was to use a hot air paint stripper and a wide paint scraper. Other people use a steam cleaner.

Polycell now do a product which you can use to skim over the Artex and level it off - personally I would rather get rid of it all.

I tried some of that over a woodchip ceiling - apart from the lies that are posted on the container re coverage - (mathematically it can only cover 1/2 the area quoted) it was a pig to put on, and didn't cover very well.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Phil Chitty

Tim

Be careful if you are thinking of removing the artex as it may contain asbestos.

It was common practice to put loose asbestos fibres into artex befire it was applied to give added strength and flexibility when it was applied.

I would advise either getting it sampled before you remove it or coat it all in PVA and plaster over it.

Not worth the risk in my mind.

Asbestos is a class 1 carcinogen - as are many other products we use every day.

Also in the list

Petrol
Saw Dust
Fag smoke
Bitumen fumes(hot tar)
alcoholic beverages

The risk from Asbestos is way over rated. Obviously some types of asbestos are a lot worse than others but the majority of stuff people encounter in their houses etc is the much safer version.

Sanding down Artex would not be a good idea but scraping will be quite safe. Just wear a dust mask - breathing in ANY form of dust is not good for you!!!

[Phil Chitty]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Asbestos is a class 1 carcinogen - as are many other products we use every day.

Also in the list

Petrol
Saw Dust
Fag smoke
Bitumen fumes(hot tar)
alcoholic beverages

The risk from Asbestos is way over rated. Obviously some types of asbestos are a lot worse than others but the majority of stuff people encounter in their houses etc is the much safer version.

Sanding down Artex would not be a good idea but scraping will be quite safe. Just wear a dust mask - breathing in ANY form of dust is not good for you!!!

So now you're an expert on Asbestos?
What you have just suggested is dangerous and stupid.
The risk from Asbestos overated? "THE MUCH SAFER VERSION?"
Never heard so much cr*p.
Asbestos kills.FULL STOP.

When you talk about the "safer version" I'm guessing your thinking of crysotile (white asbestos). Most commonly used type of asbestos and can be found in artex (together with Amosite or brown asbestos), asbestos insullating board and asbestos cemment based products such as roofing sheets.
The import and use of crysotile was BANNED in the UK in 1999 because of the cancers it can cause, non of which can be cured. The gestation periods for these cancers can be as little as 10 years or as long as 65 years.

If I had artex in my house I would either have a licenced asbestos contractor come in and remove it under controlled conditions (safe but very expensive) or i'd coat it in water / PVA mix and have it skimmed over with a caltite plaster (safe but cheaper!)

Up to you if you want to take Codprawn's advice Tim but personally I wouldn't have the risk of airbourne asbestod fibres in my house or around my family.

[Tim M]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Looks like a belt sander isnt such a good idea. I think we'll just paint over it for now, then worry about it later. Replastering it sounds expensive.

[Phil Chitty]

Probably not cheap to re-plaster but if you removed it you'd havet o plaster anyway.

One good reason to apply artex in the first place is to cover an uneven wall.

Good luck!!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Replastering it sounds expensive.

Maybe not, we had two ceilings done (20x10 ft) for £90 cash each. How big a wall are you doing can't be that much and then you know its done and sorted. Plasterer lives over the road from us, shout if you want his number, old guy really knows his stuff.

Originally Posted by Phil Chitty

One good reason to apply artex in the first place is to cover an uneven wall. Good luck!!

Yep whats it hiding, I would take the old plaster off completely before re-plastering, or it will look like a TV make over and hiding something nasty for future owners.


Pete and Viv