How to Remove Paint From a Concrete Wall

Unwanted paint can alter the look of a smooth concrete surface. You can use several methods to leave a concrete wall looking as though there was never a trace of paint on it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean cloth Paint scraper or razor blade Acetone or paint thinner Heat gun

For Water-Based Paint

1. Clean the area of grime and debris using a clean cloth.

2. Scrape away as much of the paint as possible with a sharp object such as a razor blade or paint scraper.

3. Apply acetone or paint thinner to the area and continue to scrape until all the paint is gone.

For Oil-Based Paint

4. Use a heat gun on the area to soften the paint.

5. Scrape away as much of the paint as possible, alternating between the heat gun and a sharp object such as a razor blade or a paint scraper.

6. Apply paint thinner or acetone to the remaining bits of paint and scrape them away as well.

Tips & Warnings

• A pressure washer may work well in removing paint from an outside concrete wall, but use caution as it may damage the surface.
• Wear gloves when handling acetone or paint thinner. Use caution when handling sharp objects. Do not use a heat gun too close to a window; the heat could break the glass.

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on 11/6/2009 If the paint is older than 1978, it is lead-based. Dry scraping the loose paint and using a high heat gun will make dangerous lead dust and lead vapors. A safer and easier to manage the waste method is the Speedheater Infrared Paint Remover (Eco-Strip.com) using low 400-600 degrees. It covers a larger area 12"x5" than a heat gun and the waste is clumps of soft paint. Read about the dangers of lead paint at www.epa.gov/lead.