How To Remove Paint From Concrete

This Post may contain Affiliate Links. Please read our Disclosure for legal jargon.

Even though concrete is one of the most pocket-friendly options when it comes to flooring and construction, the labor and effort that goes into removing paint from its surface, especially dried paint, is no joke. But don’t lose hope just yet because it isn’t impossible.

It might entail extensive research to understand the best way to remove paint from a concrete surface, but that’s exactly why we are here. We’ve carefully put together a step-by-step guide to help you.

Here’s a detailed guide of the two methods we recommend when it comes to removing paint from concrete surfaces.

Safety Tip: Wear goggles and a breathing mask before starting to protect your eyes and lungs from paint fumes or lead.

How To Remove Paint From Concrete

Method 1- Paint Stripper

Step 1: Clean The Surface And Allow It To Dry

To clean the floor, begin by removing any loose debris. Rinse the area with water to remove any remaining particles after scrubbing it with a soft brush. Then, use a mild soap and water solution to remove any remaining soil. After scuffing away the dirt, soak the entire surface using a garden hose. Allow it to dry completely, which usually takes a few hours, depending on humidity and temperature.

Step 2: Apply A Paint Stripper

Now that you have allowed the concrete surface to dry, it is time to apply a generous coat of paint stripper to the surface. Read the instructions given on the product’s label, and follow accordingly.

Step 3: Leave It To Do Its Job For The Given Time Frame

Upon applying the paint stripper to the surface, cover it using a plastic sheet to prevent the material from drying out and to keep it moist and tacky. Give it enough time to sit and ensure no children or animals come in contact with it.

Step 4: Time To Scrub

After enough time has passed, check if it is dry to touch. If so, remove the covering carefully and scrub any remaining paint away. Use a wire brush or sandpaper to scrub off dried paint bits until you don’t see any traces of stains left on the concrete surface.

Step 5: Clean The Area Using A Garden Hose

Pressure water helps to remove any traces of paint stripper, which you might have missed. Ensure that all areas are covered with a generous coat of water before scrubbing it using a stiff brush to take off stubborn stains and marks.

Method 2- Power Washing

Paint strippers may be efficient, but the goopy mess they create after usage might be a big pain to get rid of. Power washing is an excellent choice if the paint spill occurs on outdoor concrete because it eliminates the majority of the cleanup.

Step 1: Dampen The Area And Scrub It With A Soft Brush

Begin by dampening the area thoroughly using a garden hose. Then use a soft brush to scrub any remaining contaminants and dirt from the surface. If you have a power washer, give it a blast of water first to loosen up any stubborn stains and make them easier to scrub away.

Step 2: Use A High-Pressure Washer To Blast Off Any Remaining Stains

If you do not have a power washer, rent one from your local hardware store. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the equipment is correctly set up, then use it to get rid of the paint.

Step 3: Clean The Affected Area

Last but not least, remove paint chips using soda and a garden hose or a high-pressure cleaner. Keep in mind that sodium bicarbonate can harm flowers, bushes, and trees.

While we’ve covered the two most important methods, how can we be assured that they work on all kinds of paints? So, to cross-check, let’s dive a little deeper and see how to remove different kinds of paint from concrete.

How To Remove Spray Paint From Concrete

If water doesn’t work on removing stubborn spray paints, chemicals surely will. To remove stubborn spray paint stains, we recommend using a combination of trisodium phosphate and water. Trisodium phosphate is a chemical compound that cleans grime and grease from concrete. It’s commonly found in many home cleaning products.

Spraying trisodium phosphate on the surface will allow it to seep through the porous concrete. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before proceeding to clean off any loose paint with a scrub brush.

How To Remove Paint Without Using Chemicals From Concrete

Not everyone prefers using chemicals as they can be hazardous for you and your family, even if it is being used outside.

Our best bet – use a power washer to remove spray paint splatter from the concrete surface. Cleaning solutions and pressurized water are extremely effective at cleaning concrete surfaces. You can even use Soy Gel which is a paint-stripping agent produced by Franmar that has zero odor, low toxicity, and biodegradation.

How To Remove Latex Paint From Concrete

Latex paint can be removed much more easily as it is a water-based paint. First, try to pick up any chunks of paint that might have fallen onto the concrete using a plastic knife or spatula. Then, use a thick layer of ammonia on the area. To ensure complete coverage, you can use a cloth drenched in ammonia. After that, remove any loosened paint using a scrub brush.

Alcohol is another non-toxic option for removing paint stains from concrete if ammonia doesn’t work. Simply soak a cloth in alcohol and cover the stain with it, and let it sit overnight. Remove any loosened paint using a scrub brush, then rinse the area with water to ensure no residue remains.

How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Concrete

Acrylic paint can be easily scraped off if it is still wet. Scrape away as much paint as you can with a plastic knife before rinsing with water. After the majority of the paint has been removed, clean the surface using a soap solution. Dig deep into the cracks of the concrete using a brush to remove the mess.

If you’re considering cleaning dry acrylic paint, then an acrylic paint remover such as Blick Acrylic Remover or Goof Off may be a good option.

Remember These Facts

• It’s critical to get the correct paint stripper for the task. Strippers are available in two forms: water-based and oil-based. If you’re not sure what type of paint was spilled, use an oil-based stripper.
• Always finish by using water to clean the damaged region. Paint strippers contain a hazardous chemical known as methylene chloride. Chemical burns or other health issues can be caused by exposure to methylene chloride.
• When blasting paint off of a concrete surface, it is critical to wear a respirator at all times. You will avoid ingesting debris and chemicals if you do this. However, you should also don protective clothing, gloves, and goggles while doing so.

Conclusion

The job of removing paint may be very tiring, but it isn’t a far-fetched idea. You can choose which method you want to use depending on how much paint you need to clean and how bad the spillage is. We hope this article helps you differentiate between different paints and their cleaning methods.