How to Remove Paint From Concrete

Paint can get onto concrete in a variety of ways. Maybe there was overspray from your last project, or you accidentally spilled paint when moving a can. Perhaps you originally painted a concrete wall or patio, and now that surface is worse for wear. In any of those cases, figuring out how to remove paint from concrete quickly becomes a priority. Fortunately, several options can work well.

Using a power washer or floor grinder lets you remove paint from concrete without chemicals. Sandblasting and soda blasting are also excellent options, suggesting you have access to the necessary equipment. If you don’t mind using chemicals, a paint stripper or acetone can do the job.

Each of those strategies is relatively straightforward, too. If you need to know how to remove paint from concrete, here’s an overview of each option and other helpful information.

How to Remove Paint from Concrete

Before you use any of the methods below, you’ll want to clean your concrete. Sweep the area to remove surface debris, rinse it with water, give it a light scrub with a stiff-bristled brush, and rinse again. Finally, let the concrete dry before you begin.

Additionally, gather up some personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves, eye protection, and a breathing mask are a must. You’ll also want closed-toed shoes and may want to wear coveralls or clothing you don’t mind getting damaged.

Once that’s handled, you can move on to one of the methods below.

1. Power Washer

Gather Materials

If you want to use a power washer, you’ll need the pressure washer, a hose connected to a water source, and plastic sheeting to protect nearby areas. Use the plastic sheeting to shield plants, nearby vehicles, or other surfaces the power washer may damage.

Adjust the Power Washer

Connect the pressure washer to its water source or fill the reservoir. Next, begin with the pressure washer on a low setting, and choose a test spot on the concrete. Slowly increase the pressure until the water starts removing the paint. That allows you to keep the pressure as low as possible – and reduce the odds of accidental damage – while still getting the job done.

Power Wash the Paint Off

Pick a spot near the edge of the paint spill or a place where a painted concrete surface is peeling. By beginning there, there’s a chance that the paint will come off in larger sections, speeding up the process.

As you work, keep the nozzle at a 15-degree angle. Additionally, keep it positioned about 12 inches off of the concrete. Use a back-and-forth motion as you work.

Continue that process until all of the paint is gone. Then, use a hose for a final rinse and let the area dry.

2. Paint Stripper

Gather Materials

For this approach, you’ll need a chemical paint stripper designed to remove paint from concrete or similar masonry surfaces. Additionally, you’ll want a stiff-bristled push broom, a hose connected to a water source, and a degreasing cleaner.

Review the Manufacturer’s Directions

While most paint strippers are applied and used similarly, they aren’t identical. Review the manufacturer’s directions regarding how thick to apply the paint stripper and how long to wait until scrubbing.

Apply the Paint Stripper

Typically, you’ll need to apply a thick layer of paint stripper to the concrete. Often, this is easier if you use a stiff-bristled push broom, though you can try a brush or squeegee.

Once the paint stripper is on, you need to let it sit so that it can penetrate the paint. How long that takes depends on the product you’re using, but plan for 4 to 8 hours minimum.

Scrub the Surface

After the paint stripper is done sitting, take a stiff-bristled broom and scrub the surface to remove the paint. Use short, firm strokes, and overlap your strokes as needed to address stubborn areas.

Rinse the Concrete

Once the paint is removed, you can rinse the concrete with a hose to remove any paint stripper residue. Be mindful that the paint stripper residue can harm nearby plants, so use ample water to dilute it as much as possible.

Clean with a Degreaser

If you’re dealing with stubborn paint stripper residue, use a degreasing cleaner to clean the concrete. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

3. Acetone

Gather Materials

Before you begin, you need to get the right materials. Then, you’ll want a hose connected to a water source, acetone, and a stiff-bristled brush.

If you’re wondering, “Does acetone damage concrete?” it usually won’t harm the concrete itself when used correctly. However, if your concrete is sealed, and the paint you’re trying to remove is on the surface, acetone can damage the sealant. As a result, this option is best for unsealed concrete or concrete you’re planning on resealing.

Saturate the Area with Acetone

There are a couple of approaches to applying acetone to your concrete. First, you can pour the acetone directly onto the paint. Second, you can soak a rag with acetone and use that to work the acetone into the stain.

Once the acetone is in place, allow it to sit for five minutes.

Scrub the Paint

Take a little more acetone, apply it to the paint, and then scrub the area using a stiff-bristled brush. Use circular motions as you work, and add more acetone if the site starts to get dry.

Rinse the Concrete

After scrubbing, use the hose to rinse the concrete thoroughly and let the concrete dry. If paint remains, repeat steps 2 through 4 until the paint is gone.

4. Sandblasting

Gather Materials

For sandblasting, you’ll need a sand blasting unit, an air compressor, and an abrasive medium, such as filtered silica sand. It’s also wise to have some plastic sheeting to cover nearby surfaces. You may also want a shop vac and hose connected to a water source.

Prepare the Unit

Sandblasters can have slightly different designs, so you’ll need to read the manufacturer’s directions to prepare it for use. Typically, you’ll want to set it to the lowest pressure setting and fill the tank with sand. If you’re using a wet method, you might need to connect a hose or fill a water reservoir.

Start Sandblasting

After the unit is ready, turn on the air compressor and keep the nozzle 12 inches from the surface. Use a side-to-side sweeping motion across the paint, adjusting the pressure in small increments until the paint starts coming off. Continue the process until all the paint is gone.

Clean Up the Concrete

Once you’re finished removing the paint, you can sweep up the sand. If you prefer, you can use a wet/dry shop vac instead. Then, rinse the surface with a hose.

5. Soda Blasting

Gather Materials

For this option, you’ll need a soda blasting unit, industrial sodium bicarbonate, and an air compressor. Additionally, make sure to have a hose connected to a water source, and you may want plastic sheeting to shield nearby items or surfaces.

Prepare the Unit

Review the manufacturer’s directions regarding any unit preparation, as the recommendations may vary from one unit to the next. Typically, you’ll want to choose the lowest available pressure setting, as that reduces the risk of accidental damage.

Soda Blast the Paint

Choose a spot near the edge of the paint, position the nozzle about 12 inches from the surface, and use a side-to-side sweeping motion. If necessary, increase the pressure incrementally until the paint starts coming off. Then, work your way across the painted surface.

Clean the Surface

After the paint is gone, you’ll need to clean the concrete surface. You can sweep or use a wet-dry vac to remove the sodium bicarbonate. Then, rinse with a hose.

6. Floor Grinder

Gather Materials

With this option, you’ll need a walk-behind floor grinder. Choose a diamond wheel with appropriate grit based on the condition and hardness of your concrete. Also, have a hose attached to a water source and a broom or wet/dry shop vac for cleanup.

Prepare the Floor Grinder

You’ll want to review the manufacturer’s directions to properly set up a floor grinder, as the recommendations can vary from one product to the next. Typically, you’ll want to set the floor grinder to 35 square feet per minute or less and not use pocket weights. That keeps the pressure lower, reducing the odds of damage.

Grind Off the Paint

Once the unit is ready, you can start removing the paint. Start in an inconspicuous spot near the edge of the paint, using a sweeping motion and maintaining steady pressure. Proceed one section at a time, ensuring the grinder remains in motion until all the paint is gone.

Typically, it’s best to work over the entire surface first. That allows you to work in functional layers, decreasing the odds of unevenness caused by focusing on one spot too long.

Clean Up the Concrete

Use a broom or shop vac to remove any loosened paint. Then, rinse the concrete with a hose to remove any lingering debris.

You can repeat steps 3 and 4 if any paint remains. Just be mindful of spending too much time in one spot, as that can lead to divots. If you’re finished and still see small dots of paint, consider transitioning to one of the other methods above if you’re concerned about maintaining an even surface.

How to Get Spray Paint Off Concrete

Using a commercial graffiti remover is typically your most straightforward option if you’re dealing with spray paint. This chemical-based approach is explicitly designed to tackle spray paint.

Review the manufacturer’s directions, then apply the graffiti remover according to the recommendations. Let it sit for the listed amount of time, then use a stiff-bristled scrub brush and circular motions to break up the paint.

Take clean paper towels and blot the painted area. Repeat the process until the paint is gone, and then rinse using a hose.

If you don’t have access to graffiti remover, try the paint stripper and acetone processes outlined above. The grinder and power washer techniques may also work, but spray paint is known for its stubborn adhesion, so keep that in mind.

Will Vinegar Remove Paint from Concrete?

Vinegar is a popular cleaning solution since it’s non-toxic, but it isn’t necessarily the best choice for tackling paint on concrete. Over time, vinegar can harm concrete, particularly if it’s not diluted and left sitting for an extended time.

Additionally, vinegar isn’t the most effective option. While it may work for small paint spots, it isn’t practical for large areas, as it merely softens the paint, not breaks it down.

Since it only softens paint, the amount of effort required to scrub it up is significant, making other approaches more efficient.

Does Muriatic Acid Remove Paint from Concrete?

Muriatic acid can remove paint from concrete, but it’s best to view it as a last resort. It’s a highly caustic material that produces harmful fumes and can damage the skin, and it’s challenging to work with safely.

Additionally, if left on the concrete for too long, muriatic acid can etch the surface. Finally, if you’re dealing with multiple layers of paint, it’s potentially more labor-intensive than some alternatives.

If you go this route, carefully review the manufacturer’s directions and wear the proper PPE. Typically, you’ll mix 1 part muriatic acid with 4 parts hot water in a bucket and combine them. Then, carefully pour the solution onto the paint, working slowly to avoid splashes.

Let the solution sit following the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the paint, using a circular motion.

Finally, rinse the concrete and apply baking soda to neutralize the acid. Rinse the concrete a final time before allowing it to dry.

If necessary, you can repeat the process. However, be mindful of too many applications, which increases your chances of accidental etching.

Will WD-40 Remove Paint from Concrete?

WD-40 can remove paint from concrete, though it generally works best if you only deal with small amounts of paint. Otherwise, the amount of WD-40 needed doesn’t make it practical.

Generally, you’ll want to apply the WD-40 to the paint using a clean cloth, giving you more control. However, if you’re dealing with a small spot of paint, you can try spraying it on directly instead.

Let the WD-40 sit for a few minutes to start loosening the paint. Then, take a stiff-bristled brush and scrub the affected areas. Then, rinse the concrete to check your progress.

If necessary, repeat applying the WD-40, scrubbing, and rinsing between each attempt. The rinsing step lets you see how much paint remains and remove some residue, making it easier to see where to concrete the WD-40 during the next round.

WD-40 is greasy, so you’ll need a degreasing cleaner to remove the residue once the paint is gone. Typically, some mild liquid dish soap with grease-fighting power does the trick. Mix some soap in a cup of water, apply it to the area, and scrub with a clean stiff-bristled brush. Then, rinse with water.

Does Dawn Remove Paint from Concrete?

Typically, Dawn isn’t an effective paint remover if you’re trying to clean paint off the concrete, particularly if the paint is dry. If the paint is wet, try a bit of Dawn and warm water. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and use that to blot up the paint, ensuring you don’t rub, as that can cause smears.

That process may work for small drips, but you’ll usually want to use another method if you’re dealing with large amounts of paint or dry paint. Any of the alternatives above are worth exploring.

The Best Way to Remove Paint from Concrete

Ultimately, any of the options above are highly effective. To avoid chemicals, try power washing, soda blasting, sandblasting, or floor grinding. If you’re open to using chemicals, paint strippers and acetone are worth considering, too.

Did you learn everything you wanted to learn about removing paint from concrete? If so, let us know in the comments below. Also, if you know someone who needs to remove paint from their concrete, please share the article.