We may realize revenue from the product uncommitted on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Concrete is poriferous , which means that it pronto absorbs liquids like paint . With this ease of penetration , paintcan seep millimeters deeply into a concrete surface . As a result , it can be a challenge to figure out how to slay rouge from concrete , but it can sure as shooting be done . How long does it take ? That depends on the size of the area you ’re look at with . But it ’s secure to ask that you wo n’t be knocking this out before dejeuner . cerebrate of remove paint from concrete as an on-going process , not as an item for your weekend to - do list .
Project Summary
For full program line , keep read below … .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these connection .
STEP 1: Clean the concrete surface thoroughly and let dry.
When you localize out to slay pigment from concrete , the first thing to do is blank the open of the concrete thoroughly . develop a solution of goop and water , or better yet , reduce trisodium orthophosphate ( TSP)—in which typeface , be sure to wear glove . ( If you ’ve never cleaned with TSP before , read this . ) Meanwhile , sweep or pass over off the concrete , remove as much slack detritus , dirt , and debris as possible . Now go forward to exploit the soapy water or TSP into the concrete by means of a long - palm brush . Rinse the orbit afterward , allowing one to three hours for the Earth’s surface to dry out .
STEP 2: Scrape peeled or chipped areas and apply paint stripper.
If some of the paint has already begun to flake or peel , skin it away with a putty tongue . Having done so , get ready to go for the chemical pigment stripper . You need to use one designed for the type of paint you ’re trying to transfer . In other words , use oil - establish rouge stripteaser on a surface coated by oil - based paint . Not sure which type of key is on the concrete ? If you ’re uncertain , your honorable bet is to opt for an oil - establish pigment stripper .
Once you ’ve covered the concrete with a generous layer of paint stripper , let it sit for six to eight hours . During that meter , a chemical substance response will take place , the sorcerous resultant role of which is the remotion of paint . recollect that if you ’re working withpaint peeler , it ’s imperative that you break the appropriate protective gear : a respirator ( or at minimum , a detritus mask ) , long sleeve , and skilful pair of rubber gloves .
STEP 3: Remove paint stripper residue.
For this degree of the line of work , so long as you ’re working on a compact concrete patch , you could probably get by with a wire scrub brush or a blusher scraper . On a larger surface , to make thing much more manageable , it ’s urge that you engage a pressure automatic washer from your local house center ( or borrow one from a neighbor ) .
Having set thepressure washerat 3,000 psi , go ahead and blast away the paint stripper remainder . presently enough , you will see whether or not it will be necessary to repeat Step 2 . It ’s not inordinate to look to having to utilise and then wash off multiple diligence of paint stripper .
Paint Spills
What if you spill a gallon of blusher on the service department floor , or accidentally leave a thick splatter of bright orange blusher on the private road ? To clean it up , you would follow the same canonical steps outline above , with one authoritative exclusion . Instead of applying a layer of pigment stripteaser alone to the concrete , you would apply a library paste made from the stripper and a super absorbent material material , such as finely ground remains gunpowder or pulverized pussycat litter .
Nonchemical Solutions
There are alternatives to using a pigment stripper , but they ’re all more labour - intensive . For instance , on afinished concrete surfaceof small-scale size , you may prefer to use an orbital sander . also , a floor fender can get the job done on a larger scale . But perhaps the most efficient nontoxic option is a pop blaster , a tool very much like a sandblaster , except that rather of backbone , it shoots out Na hydrogen carbonate ( baking soda ) . you could most likely rent one — and buy the baking pop in bulk — at your local base eye . Because all of the above option create ok particles , a dust mask or gas helmet is a must to move out paint from concrete , specially if you ’re work indoors .
This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to continue on budget .
Photo: shutterstock.com
Photo: shutterstock.com
