How to Remove Paint from Concrete Without Damaging the Surface Using Concrete Cleaning Chemicals
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Is your painted concrete surface looking old, faded, or chipped? It may be time to remove the old colour so you can start anew–whether that be with a fresh coat of paint or a shiny coat of sealant. You also need to be careful when removing old paint, as the wrong method can weaken and damage your concrete.
Good quality concrete cleaning chemicals can lift paint from your concrete surfaces without damaging the structure underneath the colour, but how you apply your cleaning chemical is very important.
This blog will detail the best ways to remove paint from concrete, including what supplies you need to use and how to apply them safely.
Let’s begin!
We Recommend Using a Paint Stripper to Clean Your Concrete
One of the safest ways to remove paint from concrete is to use a dedicated paint stripper. These chemical solutions are designed to remove paint from concrete without causing physical damage to the surface you are working on. The stripper (when applied correctly) will soften the paint and allow you to remove it easily using a scraping tool or pressure washer.
However, because paint stripper is a powerful chemical, it needs to be handled with care. Breathing it in or getting it on your skin or in your eyes can be very dangerous, so it’s critical to wear the right safety equipment.
Recommended Safety Measures
Make sure you have the following when working with concrete cleaning chemicals:
- Gloves
- Closed-toe work shoes
- Safety goggles
- A mask or respirator
If you are indoors, having good ventilation and access to fresh air is vital, even if you are wearing a mask. If you start to feel dizzy or sick when working with a paint stripper, go outside to fresh air immediately! And if you are working with it outdoors, you should still keep your mask on to be safe.
Most concrete tool suppliers will also sell safety equipment you can use with their products. For more information regarding the safety measures you should take when working with paint strippers, please read our in-depth safety sheet for this product.
How To Remove Old Paint with Concrete Paint Stripper
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Now that you have everything you need to stay safe, it’s time to prepare to strip the paint from your concrete. Here is what you will need:
- Paint stripper (ask your local supply store for the best kind for your needs)
- Scraper or painting knife
- Stiff wire scrubbing brush
- Hose or pressure washer
- Paintbrush
If you want to protect any areas of your concrete from the effects of the stripper, you can apply a drop sheet and painter’s tape to block it off. If you are working outdoors, make sure you have barriers in place to prevent the paint stripper from touching any soil or plants, or from dripping into your waterways.
Step 1 – Prepare Your Surface
The first thing you need to do is clean the painted surface so it is free from dirt, grass, rocks and anything else that is marring it. They can prevent the stripper from interacting with the paint, so if you want an even removal, you’ll need to remove these first.
You can use a dustpan and broom, a vacuum, or use a hose to wash down the surface. If dirt has dried in the dips and cracks of your concrete, you may need to get in there with a brush to remove it. You’ll need to wait until it has dried before applying your stripper, though!
Step 2 – Apply the Paint Stripper
Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the paint stripper you have bought. While the steps can vary depending on the type of stripper and the type of paint you are removing, generally, you will need to apply the stripper in a generous coat across the paint you want removed. This can be done using a paintbrush or a broom. Be careful when walking on it as the stripper is extremely slippery.
Again, how long you leave the stripper to work for will depend on the solution you are using. For a paint stripper like Australian Slate-Crete Supplies’ KCB Paint Stripper, you’ll need to leave it on for 15-30 minutes. The longer it stays on the better it works, but DO NOT let it dry.
Step 3 – Remove the Softened Paint
The paint stripper will work to soften and break down the paint. You can test to see if it’s ready by using your scraper to try and lift a portion of the colour. If it comes away easily, the stripper has done its job!
If it is just a small area you are cleaning, you can use your scraper or knife to remove the bulk of the paint. You can also use a wire brush to scrub at the paint to help lift it.
If you are working on a larger outdoor area, you can use a pressure washer set to a moderate strength to remove the paint. And again, make sure you’re not washing the paint and the stripper into your garden bed or lawn.
Step 4 – Reapply Paint Stripper if Needed
Don’t be discouraged if there is still a little bit of paint remaining after you’ve removed what you can. Once the concrete has dried, you can reapply your concrete cleaning chemicals to the affected areas, wait, and focus on scrubbing at those particular spots to lift the colour.
You may need to leave the stripper on for a little longer than expected, but don’t exceed the recommended wait time. If your stripper starts to dry or form a crust, it can become difficult to remove and will make the surface dangerously slippery to walk on.
Step 5 – Wash Your Concrete to Finish
Give your concrete a final clean once all the paint and paint thinner has been removed. Use a hose and a broom to briskly clean your concrete so it is ready for whatever comes next!
We recommend applying a concrete sealer to protect your raw concrete from impact damage, oil and chemical spills and from any other potential dangers. If you don’t want to add colour to your concrete again, sealers can also help revitalise the look of your concrete by giving it a shiny or matte look, or by boldening the existing natural colour of the concrete.
No matter what products you need, Australian Slate Crete Supplies is your best bet for concrete tool suppliers in Melbourne you can rely on! We extensively test all of our products to make sure they’re safe and effective for use by DIY enthusiasts.
How Else Can You Remove Paint From Concrete?
Paint can also be removed from concrete using physical force from a blasting tool or machine. Blasting is a fast way to lift paint, but it runs the risk of also damaging the concrete underneath if you’re not careful. Sandblasting can damage the surface of your concrete, but a safer method to look for is the gentler soda blasting.
Soda blasting using baking soda as the removal agent, which will not damage your concrete, unlike other blasting methods that use abrasives like crushed glass, steel grit or plastic. However, you can’t use the baking soda in your pantry! When you hire your blasting machine, make enquiries about soda and the proprietor should be able to either sell you soda for blasting or direct you to a place where you can purchase it separately.
Like with paint strippers, baking soda can be harmful to the soil and plant life around your property. Be very careful when using it not to get the blasting soda into these areas, as it can destroy your vegetation and poison the soil.
Choose Australian Slate-Crete Supplies For Your Concrete Cleaning Chemicals
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Whether you need to protect, decorate or clean your property’s concrete, the Australian Slate-Crete Supplies team is here to assist. Whether you need to buy products, want project recommendations or just have a question to ask, we can help!
Our team of passionate decorative concrete enthusiasts have been helping home and business owners across Victoria with their DIY projects for over 25 years. We can help you get the job done on the first try, without the need for expensive and time-consuming redos.
Need concrete stripper in Melbourne? Visit our store in Epping or give us a call at 03 9408 7722 to chat with a member of our team about the right concrete cleaning chemicals for your needs. You can also use our online enquiry form to leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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