How to Remove Concrete Paint

Don protective clothing and equipment, including acid-resistant gloves, protective goggles and an air purifying respirator. If working outdoors, protect nearby foliage with drop cloths. Maintain all safety precautions and follow the chemical remover's safety instructions at all times.

Shake the concrete paint remover well before opening. Stir the mixture in case the water has separated. Pour the remover into a paint tray or into an airless sprayer.

Test a small area on the concrete to determine the time needed to remove the paint and whether the chosen remover is suitable for the project. Once you know the reaction time and the effectiveness of the remover, proceed to the next step.

Working in sections, apply the remover using a paintbrush or an airless sprayer. Avoid using a paint roller as it is more prone to causing harmful splashbacks. Coat the paint in a thick, even layer of the remover.

Once the coating starts to wrinkle, the paint is ready to remove. You can use a pressure washer to remove the paint, but a squeegee or scraper is preferable to avoid the coating and residue from making a bigger mess. Sometimes, additional coats of remover are needed to remove all the paint.

Clean up the residual mess with a solution of 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap mixed in a bucket of water. Mop the area clean, then mop and rinse with clean water. The surface must be cleaned and dry before applying a new coating of paint or sealer.