How to Remove Paint from Concrete

Whether you have concrete in your home, basement, garage, or anywhere else, concrete is a popular flooring option. Concrete is very low-maintenance unless you decide to paint it or have an accidental paint spill during a DIY project. If this happens, paint can be tough to remove from concrete, especially if you don’t have the tools and know-how.

In this article, we will look at how to remove paint from concrete using several different methods. The one that you choose is completely up to you and will depend on the tools you have at your disposal.

Method 1: Paint Stripper and Scrub

The first method we’ll look at is the paint stripper and scrub method. You’ll have to use this method if the paint on your concrete has already dried. The paint stripper and scrub method is one of the most popular choices for those who don’t have access to power tools or simply don’t feel safe using them. Let’s look at what you’ll need and how the process works.

List of Tools You’ll Need

• Protective gear, including gloves, a mask, and goggles
• A shop vac or broom because you’re going to make a mess
• A rough-bristled scrub brush. It can be any length, but the shorter it is, the more back-breaking your work will be
• A putty knife or similar tool to help remove stubborn paint clumps
• Paint stripper that will serve the dual purpose of removing paint and cleaning the concrete underneath
• It’s also handy to have a hose, power washer, or leaf-blower to blow or wash away loose paint chips

Step-by-step Process

Now, let’s go through each step and look at what the process will entail.

Clean the Concrete and Prepare the Surface for Paint Stripper

Before applying any chemicals to the concrete, you’ll want to make sure that the surface is clean. You should remove any large debris that will inhibit the paint stripper’s ability to adhere to the paint. You’ll also want to mix a warm water and soap combo and give the floor a thorough scrubbing. Make sure to use a rough-bristled brush for this process, most likely the same one you’ll use after applying the paint stripper.

This method is an all-day process because you’ll want to let the concrete floor dry before applying the paint stripper. Two to three hours, give or take, will be necessary for the floor to dry out completely.

Apply the Paint Stripper

Once the floor is clean and dry, it’s time to add the paint stripper. One of the best types of paint stripper or thinner is mineral spirits. If it isn’t aggressive enough, however, you might have to move on to a product specifically designed for concrete like Smart Strip.

Let It Sit and Take Effect

As I said, this is an all-day job. The paint stripper takes anywhere from half an hour to half a day to do its job, depending on the product you choose and how thick you apply it. Make sure to read your paint removing product instructions and follow them carefully. However, regardless of what you use, try to keep it out of the wind and out of extreme heat after you apply it.

Scrub-a-dub-dub the Surface

Grab your trusty brush once more and give the concrete a good scrub after the appointed amount of time for your paint stripper. Latex paint is easier to remove, but oil-based paints are much more challenging, and you might need to repeat this process.

Thoroughly Rinse the Surface

You’ll want to thoroughly rinse your concrete once you’re satisfied with your paint removal job. The best and easiest way to rinse concrete is with a water hose or pressure washer. Pressure washers have enough power to remove any stubborn paint left behind.

A water hose won’t take any more paint off, but it will make the cleanup process much more manageable. If you don’t have either of these options, you can also use a mop and warm water to rinse the concrete.

Repeat if Necessary

If you’re not satisfied with the end product, you can repeat steps one through five as often as you need to.

Add the Finishing Touches

Make sure that the concrete is thoroughly cleansed of your paint-thinner product. If any of it gets left behind, it will inhibit any future DIY painting projects with your concrete. Once the concrete is completely dry, you then have the option of sealing it, repainting it, or just leaving it as is.

Additionally, if you don’t want to use chemicals and paint strippers, there are natural remedies that you can try. Mix a concoction of warm water, soap, vinegar, and baking soda together. Splash it on the floor and scrub while it’s still wet with your rough-bristled brush. There’s a chance that this method will remove the paint. However, if it doesn’t work, your best bet is to use a chemically enhanced paint stripper.

There you have it, the paint stripper and scrub method. This method is the most in-depth and will require some sweat and tears, but it’s an effective and cheap way to remove paint from concrete.

Method 2: Buff the Paint Splatter Off the Concrete

As you might have guessed, the buff-it-out method of removing paint from concrete involves using a buffer. Buffers are often used when installing hardwood flooring as a way to polish wood, but you can also use a buffer to remove paint from concrete.

Instead of a soft, polishing brush under the buffer, you’ll use a rough sandpaper-like screen or pad. If you’re not familiar with buffers, they’re also referred to as “floor grinders” and are available at most hardware stores or rental centers.

List of Tools You’ll Need

• Floor grinder or buffer with an appropriate screen
• Shop vac or vacuum cleaner to clean up your mess afterwards
• Protective gear including earmuffs, gloves, goggles, and a face mask for dust protection
• Dust pan and a waste basket to dispose of dust and debris

Step-by-step Process

Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to remove paint from concrete using a buffer or floor grinder.

Rent or Purchase Your Machine

The first thing you’ll want to do is locate the machine that you plan to use. Floor grinders and buffers are available at most hardware, home improvement, or flooring stores. However, because you’ll probably never use it again, you might be better off renting one from your local Rent-a-Center or hardware store.

Use the Appropriate Screen

You’ll want to use a screen that’s rough enough to remove paint, but not so much that it will damage the concrete underneath. The right brush will leave your concrete clean and smooth when it’s all said and done. To find out what type is best for your concrete, talk to a sales associate at your local home improvement store.

Sweep and Mop the Floor if Necessary

Before beginning, make sure to remove any debris, trash, or excess dirt to prepare the floor for buffing. You’ll have to remove this extra junk either way and it will be easier to do before you begin.

Take a Quick Tutorial on How to Use a Buffer or Floor Grinder

Buffers and floor grinders can be a little tricky to operate until you get used to them. It’s a good idea to watch a quick tutorial on YouTube or the website of the manufacturer of the buffer you rented and start slow until you get the hang of what you’re doing.

Grind the Paint off of the Concrete

Once you feel comfortable using your machine, it’s time to get to work. Go over every part of your concrete that’s covered in paint until there’s nothing left but dust. One pass should be enough, but there’s a chance that you’ll have to go over the floor several times to remove all the paint from the concrete.

Clean Up Your Mess

Once you’re satisfied, you’re going to have a big mess to take care of. Use your shop vac, dustpan, broom, and whatever else you have on hand to clean everything up. You might also want to wash your floor down with a pressure washer or garden hose for good measure.

Method 3: Soda Blasting a Paint Spill from Concrete

Soda blasting is a relatively new method of removing paint from concrete. It recently came about as a good option for those who don’t want to use paint thinner or the scrubbing method to remove paint from concrete. Soda blasting is similar to sandblasting, but it’s more environmentally friendly and less damaging to the concrete beneath the paint.

List of Tools You’ll Need

• Soda blaster (obviously)
• Sodium bicarbonate solution (you’ll probably get this from the same place you get the blaster)
• Protective gear including gloves, goggles, and a facemask

Step-by-step Process

Rent or Purchase a Soda-Blasting Machine and Sodium Bicarbonate Solution

Step one for this process is the same as step one when using a buffer or floor grinder. You can purchase a soda blaster and the solution you need online, at a home improvement store, or at a hardware store. Once again, however, because you likely won’t use a soda blaster more than once or twice, you might want to rent the machine.

Watch a Tutorial on How to Use a Soda Blaster

Soda blasters aren’t difficult to use, but they’re high-powered and can damage your property if you’re not careful. Watching a quick tutorial is always a good idea when using high-powered machinery for the first time.

Blast Away!

The soda blasting process is very similar to sandblasting or power washing. You’ll want to make sure that you have your blaster a safe distance from whatever part of the floor you’re pointing at. The pressure of a soda blaster is enough to chip or damage the concrete, so be careful and go slow.

Once you’re finished, you’ll want to clean up and wipe away any dust or debris, and you may want to use a garden hose to give the floor a nice polish.

Method 4: Power Washing a Paint Stain Off of Concrete

Please note that you only want to use a power washer if the paint you’re removing is outside or in your garage. Using one in your basement will cause excessive water damage that you don’t want to deal with.

Having said that, power washing is the easiest and most eco-friendly way to remove paint from concrete. Let’s take a look at how it works.

List of Tools You’ll Need

• Pressure washer
• Goggles and a respirator

Step-by-step Process

Select Your Pressure Washer

The biggest thing to keep in mind is selecting the right pressure washer and the right wand. To remove paint from concrete, your pressure washer should be 3000 psi and use at least 4 gallons of water per minute. You’ll also want a wand that has a 15- to 25-degree-angle and shoots water out like a bullet.

Pressure Wash Your Floor

Once you have your equipment set up, all that’s left to do is pressure wash your floor. The only downside of using a pressure washer is that it sometimes isn’t strong enough to remove the actual paint. However, it’s a cheap and safe option to try out if you have easy access to a pressure washer.

How to Remove Wet Paint From Concrete

If you’ve accidentally spilled paint and it’s still wet, use warm water and dish soap along with a brush to scrub the paint. Once the paint is loose and free, use a rag to wipe it up, and you should be in the clear. If soap and water don’t work, mineral spirits is another great option for cleaning up wet paint.

Wrapping Up Concrete Paint Spill Removal

Removing paint from concrete can be hard and time-consuming depending on which method you choose. Not everyone has easy access to soda blasters, floor grinders, or pressure washers, which means that most people end up using the paint stripper and scrub method. It’s the most demanding as far as physical labor goes, but it’s extremely effective.

Now that you know what you need to do, get out there and start scrubbing!