The Silent Risk: How to Safely Remove Paint from Asbestos Surfaces in New Zealand

Why Standard Paint Stripping Methods Can Be Dangerous and What to Do Instead?

Asbestos is often treated like a problem of the past, but for thousands of Kiwi homes, commercial sites, and heritage buildings, it still lives on... hidden beneath layers of paint.

If you're planning to repaint, renovate, or restore surfaces like older roofing, soffits, or cladding, you may be disturbing asbestos without realizing it and risking exposure in the process.

In this blog, we'll break down:

• Why asbestos and paint are often linked in NZ
• The real dangers of disturbing it
• The best way to remove paint safely from asbestos surfaces using Peel Away®

Why Paint and Asbestos Often Go Hand in Hand?

Between the 1940s and 1980s, asbestos was widely used in New Zealand as a key material for:

• Roofing sheets and tiles
• Wall linings and cladding
• Eaves, soffits, and fences
• Fibre cement products (Fibrolite, Super Six, Hardflex, etc.)

To protect and decorate these surfaces, many were painted - sometimes with lead-based paint too.

Now, decades later, that paint may be cracking, peeling, or in need of removal.

But here's the issue: disturbing the paint can disturb the asbestos underneath, releasing invisible fibres into the air, fibres that can cause cancer and deadly lung disease.

Why Should You NEVER Sand Paint Off Asbestos?

Sanding, grinding, blasting, or scraping paint from an asbestos surface can create microscopic airborne fibres that:

• Cannot be seen or smelled
• Can lodge in your lungs permanently
• Cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer
• Are dangerous even in small amounts

Even pressure washing can cause fragments to break loose or travel through water systems.

The safest method is one that doesn't penetrate, doesn't generate dust, and fully contains the removed material.

The Safer Solution: Peel Away® Paint Removal System for Asbestos

Peel Away is New Zealand's most trusted non-toxic paint stripping system, specially formulated to safely remove paint from asbestos surfaces without disturbing the base material.

Instead of grinding away at paint or using harsh chemicals, Peel Away uses:

• A chemical paste applied directly to the surface
• A laminated paper sheet to seal and emulsify the layers
• A safe, controlled removal process - no dust, no mess, no fibres

Once the layers are softened, the paper and paste, along with the paint, are removed in one piece, and any remaining residue is simply washed away with minimal water.

Common asbestos-painted surfaces Peel Away works on:

• Asbestos roofing and cladding
• Fibre cement sheeting (Super Six, Fibrolite)
• Painted asbestos soffits or gutters
• Industrial asbestos panels and pipes

What Makes Peel Away Unique for Asbestos?

Peel Away is more than just a paint remover - it's a safe encapsulation system.

• No abrasive action required
• No airborne dust or asbestos fibres
• Reduces water use (vs pressure cleaning)
• No toxic fumes or solvents
• Used in commercial & heritage sites throughout NZ

Unlike other strippers, Peel Away doesn't penetrate deep into the substrate - it works on the paint layers only, leaving the asbestos sealed, intact, and undisturbed.

The Complete System: Ultra Primer & Fibre Seal

For added safety and sealing, Peel Away offers an optional coating system:

• Ultra Primer - A nanoparticle primer that penetrates and binds asbestos fibres, creating a stable base
• Fibre Seal - A hydrophobic, high-gloss top coat (typically in white) that reflects heat and prevents further deterioration

These are ideal for asbestos roofs and exterior cladding, where you want to stop fibres from shedding and prolong surface life without replacing materials.

DIY or Pro? What You Need to Know

Peel Away can be used as a DIY solution, but asbestos comes with serious legal and health implications.

We recommend:

• Testing the surface first (via lab or assessor)
• Reading the Peel Away guides for safe application
• Using full PPE (gloves, masks, disposable overalls)
• Disposing of waste properly in asbestos-safe bags
• Consulting a licensed asbestos remover for large areas or high-risk sites

For peace of mind, Peel Away offers technical support and can recommend approved contractors.

What NZ Law Says About Asbestos Paint Removal?

Under NZ's Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, homeowners and businesses have a duty of care when dealing with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

This includes:

• Identifying asbestos before work starts
• Ensuring it's managed safely (or removed by licensed handlers)
• Preventing contamination of surrounding areas

Using a system like Peel Away helps reduce risk, contain material, and avoid breaching these obligations.

Safer for You, Safer for the Planet

Peel Away isn't just safer for you - it's safer for the environment:

• Less water runoff
• Fully contained waste
• No solvents or airborne toxins
• No damage to substrates (preserve the surface integrity)

Whether you are restoring a villa in Ponsonby or preparing to repair an asbestos garage in Hamilton, Peel Away makes the process simpler, cleaner, and safer.

Let's Remove It Right!

Before you break out the sander or paint scraper, stop. If there's even a chance of asbestos, take the smart, safe route with Peel Away.

Call 0800 787 472 or visit peelaway.co.nz to:

• Get advice on the right Peel Away product
• Access detailed application & safety guides
• Order trial kits and asbestos-safe products
• Learn about Ultra Primer & Fibre Seal options