How to Remove Paint from Concrete (Old Paint, Acrylic, Latex, Epoxy)

If you've spilled paint on your driveway, patio, or garage floor, you probably accepted that it wasn't going away. There's no doubt that removing paint from concrete is time-consuming and laborious.

Yet, where there's a will, there's a way.

Follow this tutorial to remove paint stains from your driveway or patio successfully.

What You Will Need to Follow this Tutorial

1. Broom and Dustpan
2. Paint Stripper
3. Scrub Brush
4. Paint Scraper or Putty Knife
5. Industrial Sodium Bicarbonate
6. Bucket
7. Protective Gear

How to Remove Paint from Concrete without Chemicals

• Water
• Pressure Washer

Step-by-Step Tutorial – Removing Paint from Concrete

Paint Stripper Method

Step 1: Clean the Concrete Surface and Allow it to Dry.

Use a contractor's broom to sweep away any loose debris and dirt. Then, use mild soap and water solution to scrub away any remaining soil. Invest in a long-handled deck brush with durable polypropylene bristles. This will eliminate the need to kneel or walk over wet concrete.

Once you've finished scrubbing the concrete, use a garden hose or pressure washer to rinse away any remaining soap suds or grime. Then, allow the surface to dry completely. Plan accordingly, as this make take several hours.

Step 2: Apply Paint Stripper

Apply a generous amount of paint stripper to the affected area. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Use protective gear to prevent your skin from coming in contact with any chemical product.

Step 3: Let the Stripper Sit

Let the paint stripper sit for an extended period. You may leave it for several minutes or a few hours. During this time, take care to prevent children and animals from coming in contact with the substance. The paint may bubble up and separate from the surface of the concrete.

Step 4: Scrub the Area

After you allow the paint stripper to work its magic, it's time to scrub off loosened paint. Use a durable scrub brush and a paint scraper to wash away any loose paint. Continue to scour the surface until no paint debris can be removed.

Step 5: Wash the Affected Area

Use your garden hose to spray the affected area carefully. Pressurized water often works its way into the concrete's air holes to help remove stubborn paint.

Step 6: Repeat

After the affected area has dried, assess the damage. Repeat steps two through four if the paint still needs to be removed. You may continue to reapply the paint stripper until all the paint has been removed.

Step 7: Clean the Concrete

Always finish this process by cleaning the affected area with water. Paint strippers contain a toxic chemical substance called methylene chloride. Exposure to methylene chloride may result in chemical burns or other health problems.

If the paint you remove was crafted before 1978, it might generate hazardous lead fumes. As such, you should always wear gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask or respirator when utilizing a paint stripper.

Absorbent Paint Stripper Method

Step 1: Make an Absorbent Paint Stripper

If the paint spill you are dealing with is quite large, you should consider making your own absorbent paint stripper. To do this, mix equal parts of finely ground clay (you may also use unscented cat litter) and paint stripper together. The goal is to create a thick paste that can be applied to a concrete-based paint spill.

Reminder: Always wear safety gear when handling chemical paint strippers. You want to avoid direct contact with the chemical. You also want to avoid inhaling any chemical fumes.

Step 2: Apply the Paste

Apply a thick layer of paint thinner paste to the paint spill. Let it sit for several hours. Then, carefully remove the paste. Use a scrub brush and a paint scraper to scour the surface of the concrete. Remove any loose paint and discard it properly.

Step 3: Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the concrete with water and let it dry. Repeat until all the paint has been removed from the affected area. As always, wear protective clothing and safety gear to avoid coming in contact with harmful chemicals.

Blasting Method

Step 1: Acquire a Blasting Unit

If you want to remove a large amount of paint from concrete, then a pot blaster may be your best option. Often, you can rent a blasting unit from a local hardware store. While high-powered blasting may sound intimidating, this method is far more environmentally friendly than using chemical-laden paint strippers.

You will also need a mixture of industrial sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical name for baking soda. With that said, the kind used in blasting equipment coarser than the food-grade alternatives.

Step 2: Prepare for Action

It is important to always wear a respirator when blasting paint off of a concrete surface. This will prevent you from ingesting debris and chemicals. With that said, you should also wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles.

Fill the blaster's reservoir with sodium bicarbonate. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the machine is set up properly. Blasting equipment uses electricity to create powerful air pressure. Ensuring all valves are closed and sealed properly before the machine is turned on is important.

Step 3: Blast the Affected Area

Position yourself a foot or so away from the affected area. Use the blaster to direct gusts of soda at the paint.

Step 4: Clean your Work Area

Use a garden hose or high-pressure cleaner to remove paint chips and soda from the affected area. Keep in mind that sodium bicarbonate can damage flowers, bushes, and trees. It's important to contain the solution to prevent it from seeping into your garden.

How to Remove Spray Paint from Concrete

Are you looking to eradicate spray paint splatter? You may be able to remove it with a soapy solution and a bit of elbow grease. However, if that doesn't work, chemicals most likely will.

I recommend using a mixture of trisodium phosphate and water to remove stubborn spray paint stains. Trisodium phosphate is a chemical compound that can remove stains and grease from concrete. It's a common ingredient in many household cleaning products.

Apply a generous amount of trisodium phosphate to the spray paint-affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes. This will enable it to permeate the porous surface of the concrete. After a short period, use a scrub brush to scour the loose paint.

Then, clean the remaining trisodium phosphate from the surface of the concrete. Take care not to leave any chemical residue behind, as it can harm people, animals, and plants who unknowingly come in contact with it.

If you want to avoid chemical solvents, consider using a power washer to remove spray paint splatter from the surface of the concrete. Pressurized water and/or cleaning solutions do a great job of cleaning porous surfaces. You may rent an industrial pressure washer from your local hardware store or buy one to keep on hand.

How to Remove Paint from Concrete Without Chemicals

If you are a homeowner with small children or pets, you may want to remove the paint from your concrete without using potentially harmful chemicals. Soda blasters and pressure washers are the most eco-friendly options.

There are also a few non-toxic paint strippers that you may want to consider using. Soy Gel is a low-odor, non-toxic, biodegradable paint stripper that Franmar manufactures. It does not contain methylene chloride. Instead, the manufacturer uses American-grown soybeans to create a plant-derived substance that can remove paint from concrete and other surfaces.

How to Remove Latex Paint from Concrete

If you are looking to deal with a latex paint spill, there's good news. Latex paint is water-based. When compared to oil-based paints, latex is far easier to eradicate.

If the paint spill is still wet, use paper towels and shop rags to remove as much paint as possible. When dealing with dried latex paint spills, follow these steps:

Step 1: Clean the Area

Paint removal is always more effective when dealing with a clean surface. Use a contractor's broom to remove any caked-on dust and debris. Then, use a wire brush and/or a paint scraper to loosen and remove as much paint as possible.

Step 2: Use Ammonia

Ammonia is a common household cleaner. Apply a generous layer of ammonia to the affected area. You may also use a cloth saturated in ammonia to guarantee full coverage. Let the ammonia solution sit for about an hour. Ammonia causes latex paint to bubble up. Then, use a scrub brush to scrape away loosened paint.

Reapply the solution as needed until you get your desired results. Always rinse the affected area with water before closing up shop.

Step 3: Use Paint Thinner

Thick, stubborn stains may require a stronger solvent. Consider purchasing a paint stripper designated for water-based paints. Follow the instructions above to remove latex paint using a paint stripper safely.

Step 4: Use Alcohol

Alcohol is a common household chemical that removes latex paint from concrete surfaces. Apply a generous amount of alcohol to a rag and apply it directly to the affected area. Massage the alcohol into the stain to loosen the paint.

Tip: Avoid letting the latex paint cure! Many people are surprised that it takes several weeks for latex paint to cure. Always use soap and water to remove latex before it cures.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Concrete

It is far easier to remove acrylic paint when it is wet. As such, always blot up your spills in a timely manner. After removing the bulk of the paint, use a soap and water solution to cleanse the area. Use a sturdy scrub brush to dig deep into the porous crevices of the concrete.

Consider using an acrylic paint remover for dry messes, such as Blick Acrylic Remover or Goof Off. Acrylic paints are water-based. As such, they are far easier to remove than oil-based alternatives. Still, you may need to use a little elbow grease to work the acrylic out of the porous surface of your concrete.

How to Remove Epoxy Paint from Concrete

You'll need a few special supplies to remove epoxy from concrete. Epoxy is often used to coat garage floors. Removing the old one can be a major hassle when it comes time to apply a new coat. Several types of chemical solvents can be used to remove an epoxy coating. Lacquer and acetone are some of the most popular ones.

That said, many homeowners use a floor grinder to remove epoxy from their garage floors. Epoxy binds with concrete for a lifetime of coverage. As such, it is one of the most difficult substances to remove. It often takes several coats of lacquer or paint stripper to cut away at epoxy concrete sealants.

Tips and Tricks

Homeowners are often intimidated by the paint removal process. Sometimes, two or three applications are needed to remove paint from concrete completely. Still, it only takes a little effort to revitalize concrete.

If you are uncomfortable using chemical solvents, consider using a soy-based paint stripper. These substances work surprisingly well, considering they are non-toxic and made from plants. Of course, soap and water solutions have also been known to remove small stains.

Don't overwhelm yourself by attempting to hand scrub a large surface. Soda blasters, pressure washers, and floor sanders can be rented for a reasonable price. If you need to remove a large amount of paint, consider renting one of these handy appliances to save yourself from grueling physical labor.

A Quick Reminder

Accidents happen!

Still, concrete is an incredibly durable substance that is built to last a lifetime or more. Don't sit around staring at unsightly spills when you can easily eliminate them. Do your best to respond to paint stains promptly and productively.

Final Thoughts

Do you have an ugly paint stain on your concrete? Has it been there for ages? If you are willing to put in a little time and effort, you can make that stain disappear. Follow this simple step-by-step instruction to remove paint spills from your driveway, patio, and garage!

Frequently Asked Questions