Concrete is the most popular building material in the world so it’s not uncommon that paint get’s spilled on it from time to time. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy material to clean with the right tools and a little bit of elbow grease. Here’s exactly how to get that troublesome paint out of your concrete quickly…
How to remove paint from your concrete surfaces
- If the paint has dried, you’ll need to clean the surface really well and then give it some time to dry.
- Add a paint stripper and let it sit for a few minutes (or as long as the instructions recommend).
- Scrub the surface with a stiff brush (wire brushes work well).
- After scrubbing, power wash the area.
- Repeat this process several times if needed until you’re happy with the results.
Deeper dive into removing paint from concrete
While the process above is pretty basic and clear, there are some things that might make it a little easier for you.
Paint Strippers
There are lots of paint strippers out there but if you have one at your house that says it’s for wood, it’ll most likely also work on concrete. The main thing to be aware of when you pick a paint stripper is that it’s made for the type of paint you have on your concrete (i.e. latex paint, oil or water based paint). It’s also a good idea to try finding an eco-friendly option that’s safe for use both indoors and out. Strippers with methylene chloride, for example, are fast acting but are highly toxic if inhaled or absorbed through your skin.
Power Washing
To get the best results, find a power washer with at least 3000 psi pressure rating and flow rate of at least 4 gallons/minute. If you don’t want to purchase one, you can always rent one from your local hardware store or equipment rental shop.
Soda Blasting
If you’re not getting the results you want from paint stripping, scrubbing, and pressure washing, then you may want to consider soda blasting. Soda blasting is both environmentally friendly and a highly effective way to remove paint from all types of surfaces. Essentially, granular sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is blasted at the surface under high pressure. These grains of baking soda chip away the paint without damaging the surface of your concrete.
If you decide to try soda blasting, it’s important to know that the machine can be a bit tricky to use so it’ll take some practice. Additionally, you have to use industrial sodium bicarbonate, not the typical grocery store baking soda. You will also need to wear a respirator and make sure you have safety goggles. Finally, you want to avoid getting the overspray on your plants. The high pH of baking soda and throw off the balance of your plants and potentially kill them.
Partner with the best concrete contractors in the Central Valley
Do you need help with a Merced concrete project? Whether it’s a driveway repair, new sidewalk, concrete foundation, or anything else, the team at AM Construction & Concrete has the tools, knowledge and experience to ensure that your project is done right the first time. At AM Construction & Concrete, we take pride in our work. We go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction, get the work done on time and always stand behind our work.
