What to Use to Remove Paint From Concrete

Concrete is a durable surface---it's also very porous. Lifting paint from concrete walls or floors is not complicated, but it can be a tedious task. Start with the simplest methods and escalate to more serious strategies.

Identification

Paint and other coatings used on cement sink into the pores of the material, sealing it against moisture and damage from oil or other chemicals.

Considerations

Paint may be water or oil-based and may have been applied with brush and roller or spray; sprayed-on paint, such as graffiti, is often the most stubborn paint to remove.

Detergents

Strong alkali detergents like TSP may remove paint if the coating is thin or water-based paint, but acrylic or oil-based paints are more resistant.

Chemicals

Brush-on and peel-off citrus-based paint removers (covered by a sheet of special paper to contain the heat of the chemical reaction) work well on all types of paint. They are more environmentally friendly and easier to clean up than older methylene chloride-based paint removers.

Abrasives

Stubborn or old paint can be removed with a power washer set on a low setting (to avoid damaging the concrete). A belt sander could also be used, again taking care to avoid removing too much concrete along with the paint.

Hint

Often a combination of techniques---or repeated applications---works best in removing paint from cement.

Resources

• Paint and graffiti remover