How to Remove Spray Paint From Concrete? (4 Methods)

Spray paint is applied at high speed and adheres to the concrete strongly.

To remove spray paint from concrete, power wash it, use TSP (Trisodium Phosphate), or use a paint stripper.

To protect concrete while removing paint from it, ensure to rinse the residue of the paint removal product and use concrete-friendly paint removers.

How To Remove Spray Paint From Concrete?

To remove Spray paint from concrete, do the following things.

1. Power wash it.
2. Use TSP (Trisodium Phosphate).
3. Apply a Paint Stripper.
4. Use a Power Sander.

1. Power Wash it

A pressure washer will blast the spray paint off the surface and remove it. Since concrete is porous, blasting water at high pressure will remove its finish. However, you must wait a few days for the concrete to dry after using a power washer.

The tools you need for this project are listed below.

• Pressure washer
• Garden hose
• Gloves
• A pair of goggles
• A mop
• Detergent
• A 15-degree pressure washer nozzle

Here is a guide for this method:

1. Connect the pressure washer to the garden hose. The high-pressure hose must be fixed in the high-pressure inlet.
2. Attach a 15-degree nozzle to the washer.
3. Stay 3-4 feet away from the surface and use the washer firmly.
4. Prime and test to see if water comes out.
5. Blast off the spray paint until it’s completely gone.
6. If the paint doesn’t come off on the first try, use a smaller nozzle tip and stand closer to the surface.
7. Remove excess water from the surface using a mop or rag, and allow it to dry for a few days.

2. Use TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)

TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) is an alkaline-based cleaning agent that can dissolve spray paint stains. It comes in a powder form, and you must mix it with warm water before using it.

After pouring the TSP mixture, wipe or scrub the affected spot with a scrubbing brush.

The tools you need for this project are listed below.

• TSP (Trisodium Phosphate)
• A hard-scrubbing brush
• Baking soda or detergent (optional)
• A bucket of warm water
• A mop

Here is a guide to this method:

1. Mix a tablespoon of TSP with 2 gallons (or 7.5 liters) of warm water.
2. Apply the TSP mixture over the affected spots.
3. Wait 15 minutes.
4. Use a scrubbing brush to scrub the affected spots.
5. Rinse the surface with warm water.
6. Allow it to dry.

Tip: You can also mix baking soda or detergent with TSP to create a stronger mixture.

3. Apply a Paint Stripper

A paint stripper is a solvent or chemical-based product that removes multiple coats of dry or wet spray paint.

The tools you need for this project are listed below.

• A paint stripper
• Paintbrushes
• A Putty knife
• Rags
• Mineral spirits
• A mop

Here is a guide for this method:

1. Clean the surface to remove dust or filth.
2. Apply a thick coat of the paint stripper over the affected surface.
3. Wait 15 minutes.
4. Once the stripping compound is dry, use a paint scraper to scrape it. The spray paint will come off too.
5. Repeat the steps for leftover paint.
6. Wipe the concrete with mineral spirits to remove the residue of the stripping compound.
7. Allow it to dry.

4. Use a Power Sander

The fastest way to strip spray paint is to use a power sander or sandpaper. Sanding will remove the paint and smooth out the concrete simultaneously. For larger surfaces, use power sand, and for small surfaces, use sandpaper (manually sand it). To sand, use medium or coarse-grit sandpaper.

Sanding gradually removes the paint coating until it’s completely gone.

The tools you need for this project are listed below.

• A power sander (optional)
• Sandpaper 80-grit – 220-grit
• A duster or vacuum
• A pair of gloves

Here is a guide for this method:

1. Attach 80-grit sandpaper to the power sander or manually sand the surface.
2. Sand for 5 minutes.
3. Attach 150-grit sandpaper and re-sand the surface.
4. Clean the dust and inspect the surface to see if the paint is gone.
5. If it isn’t, sand again.
6. Remove dust and clean the surface.

Since you didn’t use a liquid or didn’t wet the concrete, you can immediately re-paint it after sanding.

How to Protect Concrete While Removing Spray Paint?

To protect concrete while removing spray paint, do the following. 

1. Rinse the concrete to get rid of the residue of the paint-removal products.
2. Don’t use acid-based solvents.
3. Use a waterproof drop sheet over the parts of the surface that aren’t affected by paint.
4. Don’t over-apply solvents, as they can discolor the surface.
5. Use concrete-friendly paint removers.
6. Allow the surface to dry fully before using it.
7. Don’t use paint scrapers, as they can scratch or damage the surface.

It’s important to clean the concrete surface after using liquid products. That’s because most paint-removing products will damage or etch the surface if left for too long.

How To Clean Concrete After Paint Removal?

To clean concrete after paint removal, do the following. 

1. Apply mineral spirits over the surface.
2. Wait 5 minutes.
3. Scrub the surface with a soft brush.
4. Wash the concrete with detergent.
5. Rinse the surface.
6. Allow it to dry.

If you don’t have mineral spirits, use natural oil or oil-based solvents.