How To Remove Paint From Interior Concrete Walls

How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

No matter how the paint got on your concrete, here are the best methods for removing it. Photo: Christin Lola / Shutterstock.

If yous have ever accidentally spilled or splattered paint onto on a new physical floor, patio, or other surface, you probably threw upward your hands in despair, assuming the spot would exist permanent. While paint spills on concrete may seem like a catastrophe, they are really zero to weep over. In most cases, the paint tin can be removed successfully with a bit of fourth dimension and effort.

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The materials and methods required for paint removal will depend on a number of factors, including the blazon of paint (water vs. oil-based), the size of the spill, and the porosity of the physical. Here are some of your options, along with a few tips for getting the all-time results.

Paint STRIPPERS

Many of the same chemical strippers designed for removing paint from forest can also be used on concrete and masonry surfaces. Make certain the stripper is formulated for the type of pigment you're trying to remove. Some products will but remove water-based latex paint while others will work on both oil- and water-based paints.

Look for an environmentally friendly product that is safe to apply on both indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces, such as Soy Gel Coatings Remover from Franmar Chemicals. These strippers are typically thick gels that volition stay active a long time after application. They also are biodegradable, depression in scent, and free of caustic chemicals.

How to remove paint from concrete using chemical strippers:

Apply a thick layer of paint stripper using a castor, broom, or squeegee, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Let the stripper sit until information technology fully penetrates and the paint begins to soften (anywhere from 4 to 24 hours).
Remove the pigment with a scraper or wire brush once information technology is visibly wrinkled or puckered.
If any pigment remains on the physical, spread the stripper back over the expanse and allow it to piece of work longer.
Hose off or mop up whatever remaining remainder.
Clean the concrete with a degreaser.

Safety tip:

Don't utilize paint strippers containing methylene chloride. These solvent-based strippers work fast, simply they are highly toxic when inhaled or absorbed through the peel. Recently the EPA banned the sale of these paint strippers to consumers, and major home-comeback stores are no longer carrying them.

POWER WASHING

Environmentally friendly paint strippers are constructive, but the goopy mess they leave behind can be a hassle to dispose of. If the paint spill is on exterior concrete, power washing is a dandy alternative and avoids most of the cleanup.

How to get paint off concrete with a ability washer:

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. If you don't desire to invest in an industrial power washer, consider renting or borrowing one. You can besides hire a professional person to practice the chore.

See these tips for pressure washing concrete.

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SODA BLASTING

For stubborn paint spills that tin't be removed by ability washing or chemic strippers, an constructive and environmentally friendly alternative is soda blasting. This method, which uses granular sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) blasted at high pressure onto the surface, can remove multiple layers of paint or coatings fast. Information technology too is a less-aggressive paint removal method than sandblasting and won't damage the concrete surface.

Removing paint from concrete using sodium bicarbonate:

Although y'all tin hire soda blasting units from hardware stores and equipment rental companies, it takes some skill to operate the equipment properly and safely. Your all-time bet is to hire a professional soda blasting service.

If you do determine to do the chore yourself, make certain you lot utilize an industrial-grade sodium bicarbonate (not the baking soda you purchase at the grocery store) and take the appropriate safety precautions by wearing a respirator. Also, don't let any overspray come up in contact with plants because the high pH level of the material can be harmful.

Floor GRINDERS

Epoxy paint removal using PCD tooling with The Boss concrete flooring grinder
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Instead of using pigment strippers, a chemical-free alternative for removing pigment from concrete floors is by grinding it off using a walk-behind or handheld concrete grinder. These machines are very effective at removing thin coatings and paints or for cleaning and lightly abrading concrete floor surfaces.

How to remove pigment from a concrete floor using a grinder:

You tin rent handheld and minor walk-behind concrete floor grinders at many home-comeback stores and equipment rental companies, along with the advisable grinding disks. However, the equipment can be tricky to operate, especially for the inexperienced. Unless you know what you're doing, you're improve off hiring a professional.

To control airborne dust particles, use a physical floor grinder equipped with a vacuum port so it tin exist hooked up to an industrial vac. Non only will a vacuum continue the air costless from harmful dust, information technology will also eliminate messy cleanup.

WHAT IF THE Paint STILL WON'T COME OFF?

If you lot've tried everything and there's still paint left on your concrete, consider resurfacing your physical. A coating is practical over the former surface giving you a make clean, blank canvas that can be finsihed in your selection of colors, textures and patterns.

HOW TO INHIBIT Pigment ABSORPTION INTO CONCRETE

Bare, untreated concrete can human activity similar a sponge and absorb paint and other unwanted stains readily, making them harder to remove. Keeping your concrete protected with a sealer or floor wax will aid forestall absorption, allowing you to remove the spot more than easily. If you get to the spill early before the paint dries, you can often remove it using only detergent and water. If the paint has stale, you may be able to just scrape it off the surface.

Related:
Is Painting Physical a Good Thought?