Concrete is one of the cheapest and lowest maintenance flooring options. A concrete floor is a great alternative to linoleum, carpet, wood, tile, stone, or marble.
Accidentally spilled fresh paint on the concrete surface is not a big deal, it is easy to clean up with water, detergent, and hard-bristled brush.
Removing dried paint from concrete, on the other hand, can be a very frustrating process. Concrete absorbs paint and the whole task is time-consuming, but it is not impossible.
In this article, you will find tips and tricks for getting the best result.
Methods and steps
There are few methods that you can use for removing paint from concrete. Keep on reading to find out which method is the best for you.
Paint stripper method
Step 1: Clean the concrete and let it dry completely
Use a broom to sweep away the dirt. Scrub away any remaining soil with mild soap and water. Use a long-handled brush with polypropylene bristles. After that rinse away soap suds or grime with a garden hose or pressure washer. Let it dry completely.
Step 2: Apply paint stripper
Apply a thick layer of paint stripper to the surface. Remember to wear protective gear to protect your skin from contact with any chemical product. It is very important to use the right paint stripper for the job. Paint strippers come in two varieties, for water-based paint, and oil-based paint. If you are not sure what type of paint you are dealing with, use the one for oil-based paint.
Step 3: Give the paint stripper time to work
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to see how long the paint stripper should sit. Maybe it will take a couple of minutes, maybe a few hours. The paint may bubble up and separate from the concrete. Be sure children and animals do not come in contact with the substance.
Step 4: Scrub the paint
After the paint stripper finishes his job, it is time to scrub off loosened paint. Scour the surface until no paint debris can be removed. Use a durable scrub brush and a paint scraper.
Step 5: Wash treated area
Carefully clean the treated area with a garden hose. Pressurized water will help you remove stubborn paint. If there is still paint that needs to be removed, repeat the steps from two to four until all the paint is removed.
Step 6: Clean the concrete
Finish this process by cleaning the affected area with water. Paint strippers contain a toxic chemical substance called methylene chloride. Exposure to methylene chloride may result in chemical burns or other health problems.
Always remember to wear gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask or respirator during the whole process. That way you are protecting yourself from chemicals and hazardous fumes.
Absorbent paint stripper method
Step 1: Make an absorbent paint stripper
If you are dealing with quite large paint spill, maybe you should consider making your absorbent paint stripper. You will need to mix equal parts of finely ground clay and paint stripper together to do this. You want to create a thick paste that can be applied to a paint spill.
Step 2: Apply the paste
Once you have prepared your paste, apply a thick layer on a paint spill and let it work its magic for a few hours. After that carefully remove the paste using a scrub brush and paint scraper to scour the surface. Remove as much paint as you can.
Step 3: Rinse and repeat
As you already know final step is to clean the surface. Give concrete a good rinse with water and let it dry. If there is still paint left for removing repeat the process until all the paint is removed.
Remember safety first, wear protective gear all the time.
Blasting method
Step 1: Get yourself a blasting unit
If you are an environmentally friendly person and don’t want to use chemical products, this method should be your choice. If you don’t have a blasting unit and you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from your local hardware store. For the best results use a power washer with a pressure rating of at least 3000 psi and a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute. This method is perfect for removing paint from complex surfaces like brick and stone.
You will also need industrial-grade sodium bicarbonate (not the regular baking soda) and take the appropriate safety precautions by wearing a respirator. Also, be careful if you have any plants nearby because this type of soda has a high pH level and can be harmful to them.
Step 2: Time for action
Fill the blaster reservoir with sodium bicarbonate. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure that the machine is set up properly. Blasting equipment uses electricity to create powerful air pressure. Make sure all valves are closed and sealed properly before the machine is turned on.
Step 3: Blast the surface
Position yourself at a safe distance and use the blaster to direct gusts of soda at the paint. At the end use a garden hose or high-pressure cleaner to remove paint chips and soda from the affected area.
Removing spray paint from concrete
Spray paint splatter most often can be removed with a soapy solution and a bit of elbow grease degreaser. If this doesn’t work go with chemicals, they surely will.
Use a mix of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water. TSP is a chemical compound that can help you remove stubborn spray paint stains from concrete.
Apply a generous amount of TSP to the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. This will enable TSP to penetrate the porous surface of the concrete. Then, use a scrub brush to scour the loose paint. Be sure to clean the remaining trisodium phosphate from the surface of the concrete because it can harm people, animals, or plants if come in contact with it.
Remember to wear gloves while dealing with TSP because it has the potential to burn your skin.
Also, a power washer works well with paint spray stains if you don’t want to use chemicals. Pressurized water and a cleaning solution work well for porous surfaces.
Removing latex paint from concrete
Here is some good news for you. Latex paint is water-based, so it is easier to remove than oil-based paint. If the stain is still wet use paper towels and rags to remove as much paint as possible, but if the paint is dry and old follow these steps to get rid of it:
Step 1: Clean the area
Everything is easier when you dealing with a clean surface. Use a broom to remove any dust and debris. Then, use a paint scraper or wire brush to remove as much paint as possible.
Step 2: Use ammonia
Ammonia is a common household cleaner that is easy to find and maybe you already have it in your home. Apply a generous layer of ammonia to the affected area. To ensure full coverage use a cloth saturated in ammonia. After an hour or when you see that latex paint bubble up, use a scrub brush to scrape away loosened paint. Repeat the process if needed and always rinse the treated area with water when you finish the job.
Step 3: Use alcohol
Use a rag saturated with rubbing or denatured alcohol. Lay the rag on the spot and let it there for about 20 to 30 minutes. After that remove the rag and use a paint scraper to scrape the paint. If needed repeat. Use a sponge and soapy water to scrub away any remaining paint. Soak up the moisture with paper towels or let it dry naturally.
Removing acrylic paint from concrete
It is quite easy to remove acrylic paint stain when is wet. Always clean up your spills promptly. After the stain of the paint is removed, use a soap and water solution to clean the area. Use a firm scrub brush to dig deep into the porous crevices of the concrete.
If acrylic paint splatter is dry, consider using an acrylic paint remover such as Goof Off. Acrylic paints are water-based and they are easier to remove than oil-based. Also, you may need a little bit of elbow grease degreaser to remove acrylic paint from your concrete surface.
Removing epoxy paint from concrete
Epoxy is often used to coat garage floors. If the time has come to apply a new coat, removing the old one can be a real issue. There are several types of chemical solvents that can be used to remove the epoxy coating. Lacquer and acetone are some of the most popular ones.
However, most homeowners choose to use a floor grinder to remove epoxy from their garage floors. Once applied, epoxy connects with the concrete floor for a lifetime. Because of that, it is one of the most difficult coats to remove. Usually, it takes several coats of lacquer or paint stripper to be removed.
Tips and tricks
Are you one of the homeowners who are afraid of the paint removal process? Don’t be. Even it takes time and effort to revitalize concrete, it is not impossible.
If you don’t want to use any chemical solvent, consider using a soy-based paint stripper. These paint-strippers are not toxic because they are made from plants and work surprisingly well. Soap and water solutions can be helpful with small stains.
Don’t waste your time with a hand scrub the large surface. Soda blasters, pressure washers, and floor sanders can be rented for a reasonable price. Even you can hire professionals to do this task for you.
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Do your best to respond to paint stains in a timely and productive manner. Put a little time and effort and you will make the stain disappear. Don’t sit around staring at ugly paint spills, get rid of them.
FAQ's
Yes. A floor grinder is normally used to level, polish, and clean concrete surfaces. Adjust the pressure depending on how hard is your concrete so you do not end up creating pits.
As we already know concrete is a porous material and it will easily absorb liquids. Sealing is recommended because the contraction and expansion of the liquids in free-thaw weather conditions can damage the cleaned concrete surface.
Many coatings can withstand light “traffic” after 24 hours. However, check the manufacturer’s instructions to be 100% sure.
Yes, vinegar will remove paint from concrete. Take a half cup of vinegar and heat it. Apply the hot vinegar to the paint and let it soak for 15 minutes. After the paint starts to bubble, remove it with a paint scraper. Rinse the area with water in the end.
In general, it is safe to apply paint thinners to hard materials such as concrete and cement. But is better first to test it in an inconspicuous area to be sure that your surface is safe.
