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A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.

Yes, but with caution. A floor grinder is intended to level and polish concrete, so it is a very powerful tool. To remove paint, the floor grinder should be set to 35 square feet per minute or less to minimize the pressure without the use of pocket weights. You might need to go over the surface two times to get any paint that has sunk into the concrete’s pores.

The easiest way to remove window decals is to soak the area in hot, soapy water. Let it sit for 15 minutes before scraping it with a plastic scraper or the edge of a credit card. You can also remove window decals with white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or applying heat from a hairdryer or steam cleaner.

If the lead paint is in a place that is not easily disturbed and is not flaking or deteriorating, you do not necessarily need to remove it. Lead is toxic when dust particles or flakes from peeling lead paint are ingested. If people are not in the area with the lead paint, it may be safe to leave it in place. You still may want to consider encapsulation with a paint formulated for covering lead-based paint, just for an added layer of protection.