How to Remove Paint From Concrete? (12 Methods)

You can remove paint from concrete surfaces if you use the right removal product or method.

To remove water-based paint from concrete, use water-based paint-stripping paste, soapy water, or sandpaper.

To remove oil-based paint from concrete, use solvent-based Paint remover, petroleum-based paint remover, or sandblasting.

How To Find The Paint Type on the Concrete Surface?

To find the paint type on the concrete surface, do the following things.

1. Use Rubbing Alcohol.
2. Pour Water over The Paint Finish.
3. Inspect the Finish.
4. Use Light.

1. Use Rubbing Alcohol

To know the concrete surface paint type, wipe the surface with a rag damped with rubbing alcohol. If the paint is removed by rubbing alcohol, it’s water-based. If the paint isn’t removed by rubbing alcohol, it’s oil-based.

Rubbing alcohol can only remove water-based paint finishes and not oil-based finishes.

2. Pour Water over the Paint Finish

Pour water directly over the painted finish to know its type. The paint finish is water-based if the water penetrates its surface. The paint finish is oil-based or sealed if the water doesn’t penetrate the surface.

3. Inspect the Finish

To know the concrete paint type, inspect the finish. If the finish has a slick and glossy appearance, it’s oil-based or sealed. The paint finish is water-based if it has a dry and textured appearance.

4. Use Light

Direct a light source over the paint finish to know its type. If the paint finish looks shiny or glossy, it’s oil-based. If the finish looks dry or textured, is water-based.

How To Remove Water-Based Paint From Concrete?

To remove water-based paint from concrete, do the following things.

1. Use Water-based Paint-stripping Paste.
2. Use Soapy Water.
3. Use Sandpaper.

1. Use Water-based Paint-stripping Paste

Water-based paint-stripping paste is a paint removal product formulated with water as its main solvent. The paint-stripping paste is effective enough to remove multiple water-based paint coats from surfaces.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Clean the surface to remove dust.
2. Apply two (2) paint-stripping paste coats over the surface.
3. Wait around 30 minutes.
4. Scrape the paint-stripping paste from the surface and the paint comes off too.
5. Clean the surface with warm soapy water and allow it to dry.

2. Use Soapy Water

Soapy water can remove wet or semi-solid water-based paint coatings from the surface. Since water-based paint uses water as its solvent, adding more water to the surface will over-thin the paint and cause it to peel off.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Clean the surface to remove dust or filth.
2. Mix water and soap (or detergent) in a clean bucket.
3. Pour the mixture over the surface.
4. Wait around 5 minutes.
5. Use a scrubbing brush to remove the paint coating.
6. Wash and rinse the surface.

3. Use Sandpaper

Medium-grit sandpaper (100-grit) can remove multiple water-based paint coats from different surfaces. The sandpaper gradually wears off the finish until it’s completely removed.

Don’t use fine-grit or extra fine-grit sandpaper (220 / 440-grit) as they aren’t abrasive enough to remove a paint coating.

How To Remove Oil-Based Paint From Concrete?

To remove oil-based paint from concrete, do the following things.

1. Use a Solvent-based Paint Remover.
2. Use a Petroleum-based Paint Remover.
3. Use Sandblasting.

1. Use a Solvent-based Paint Remover

A solvent-based paint remover can remove or soften oil-based paint finishes from different surfaces. It’s a product that penetrates the paint finish, dissolves the binder, and removes or softens the finish.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Clean the surface.
2. Pour the solvent-based paint remover over the finish.
3. Wait around 30 minutes.
4. Scrape the soft paint with a scraper.
5. Wash the surface to remove the residue.
6. Allow the surface to properly dry.

2. Use Petroleum-Based Paint Removers

Petroleum-based paint removers are formulated with petroleum-based solvents that remove oil-based paint finishes.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Apply the petroleum-based paint remover over the surface.
2. Wait around 20 minutes.
3. Once the paint finish starts to bubble, scrape it off.
4. Clean the surface with warm water.

You must remove the petroleum-based solvent residue with warm soapy water from the surface as it can prevent a new paint finish from adhering.

3. Use Sandblasting

Sandblasting is a process where an abrasive material is expelled at a high speed against a surface to remove a paint finish. The sandblaster expels sand from its nozzle directly to the paint finish and gradually removes it.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Fill the sandblaster with sand.
2. Connect the sandblaster nozzle.
3. Aim the nozzle directly over the concrete.
4. Turn on the sandblaster and compressor.
5. Do this about 3 times to remove the finish.

Don’t use an industrial or large-size sandblaster as they are too powerful and can damage the concrete. Instead, use a cabinet blaster or mid-range sandblaster.

Other Products That Remove Paint From Concrete Surfaces

1. Vinegar

You can remove water-based paint with vinegar from concrete.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Mix the vinegar with clean water.
2. Damp a rag into the vinegar mixture. 
3. Use the dampened rag and wipe the finish.
4. Wait a few minutes. 
5. Once the coating starts to bubble (or peel off), wipe it off with a clean rag. 
6. Remove the vinegar residue. 

Note: You can’t remove oil-based paint with vinegar.

2. Baking Soda

You can remove water-based and oil-based paint with baking soda. Baking soda is a high-alkaline product that breaks the particles and binder bonds and liquefies the coating.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Mix baking soda with warm water.
2. Pour the mixture over the finish.
3. Wait around 1 hour.
4. Scrape the finish.

3. Pressure Washer

You can remove water-based paint using a pressure washer. The pressure washer gradually wears off the paint finish until it’s completely removed. Use a pressure washer at 2000-4000 PSI for paint removal.

4. Muriatic acid

You can remove all paint types from concrete with muriatic acid.

A guide for this method is listed below.

1. Apply the muriatic acid over the surface.
2. Wait 15 minutes.
3. Scrape the paint off.
4. Remove the muriatic acid residue.

The muriatic acid residue will cause concrete etching if you don’t remove it. 

5. Paint Thinner

You can remove any paint type from concrete with paint thinner.

6. Acetone

You can remove all paint types from concrete using acetone.