Best Way to Remove Putty from Wooden Ceiling

radderfire · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:00

Hi Guys

I hope some of the experienced DIYers can provide some advice. I need to remove a hard putty like substance (not sure exactly what it is) from my ceiling (thin wooden boards, see pic below). What would be the best technique to use to minimise damage to the wood? I can buy new tools if necessary.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mat · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:06

Plane it?

edit: gently!

Destination · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:08

Wonder what that is, is the ceilign stcuk up and thats glue residue?
Is it rock hard, or still rubbery?
If rubber an exceptionally shapr knife along the line of the wood, basically like a plane to remove the bulk might be a start.

Will it leave a gap after removal or is it all excess, belwo the level of the wood?

Downsy · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:11

Looks like no more nails. Heat it with a hot air gun and use a scraper.

ash_scotland88 · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:15

Take off the wooden ceiling and stop having a fashion faux pas

radderfire · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:19

There used to be a shower unit there, so I guess it might be adhesive of some kind. It is dark brown in colour and rock hard.

Thanks for the tips so far.

So, we think heat and scrape rather than just scrape?

What heat gun would you buy?

Thanks guys. :cool:

radderfire · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:26

Hikari Kisugi said:
Will it leave a gap after removal or is it all excess, belwo the level of the wood?

It's all excess. It's just stuff stuck to the ceiling that needs to be removed.

Thanks

radderfire · 5 Nov 2010 at 16:27

Also, do you think there's any danger of me setting the wood on fire with a hot air gun??? :eek:

Thanks

Perywinkle · 5 Nov 2010 at 17:34

looks like gripfill to me. Have fun

radderfire · 5 Nov 2010 at 17:51

Perywinkle said:
looks like gripfill to me. Have fun

If it is gripfill, do you think heating then scraping is the best way to remove it?

Or would attempting to cut it with a sharp knife be better?

Thanks

Perywinkle · 6 Nov 2010 at 07:44

Doubt you'll have much luck with heat, cutting would be my route.

jlss · 6 Nov 2010 at 07:49

Sharp chisel will get most of if off.

Trixter · 6 Nov 2010 at 09:39

Participant · 6 Nov 2010 at 10:11

Mechanical removal is your only option imo due to the wood. I would use mallet plus chisel then sand and stain to match.

radderfire · 6 Nov 2010 at 13:59

Robbie G said:
Mechanical removal is your only option imo due to the wood. I would use mallet plus chisel then sand and stain to match.

The only problem is that the wood ceiling is quite flimsy, so I could see mechanical removal being a problem as I could easy break or split the wood.

What are the issues with the heat gun? Is it that I would burn the surface of the wood?

Thank you

Participant · 12 Nov 2010 at 12:07

In my view there is a danger of that yes. To get the substance hot enough to make removal easier, you'll surely run the risk of burning the wood. Have you got any offcuts that you can test the heat gun on? The only way to know for sure is to try.

Morgoth · 12 Nov 2010 at 12:09

jlss said:
Sharp chisel will get most of if off.

Was also my first thought.

wildman · 12 Nov 2010 at 13:14

with fire.....

its the only way to be sure

Mark A · 12 Nov 2010 at 14:10

You'll end up bubbling all the varnish before it does anything to the gripfill. That's if gripfill is even affected by extreme heat, not sure if it is tbh.

Best bet is as suggested, to use a chisel. The widest chisel you have, or even a 2" plane blade would do the job. Go with the timber grain to do as little damage as possible. Try and keep the blade as flat to the timber as possible to reduce the risk of the chisel digging into the timber.

You will more than likely need to then sand the remnants off with some course open coat sand paper. Start with something like 80 grit then, 120, 180.