Garry asked: “How do I clean water-based acrylic paint from concrete pavers? I dropped some water-based acrylic paint onto some concrete pavers. I have tried Mineral Turps but no luck.”
Acrylic paint is water-based and much easier to remove than oil-based paints. With some effort, it can be removed from almost any surface. Fortunately, concrete can tolerate many cleaning methods, making it a durable surface to work with. The key is to pull the paint out from the porous surface. Here are some methods to remove the paint both while it’s still wet or if it’s already dried.
Removing Wet Paint
Wet paint is much easier to clean up than paint that has been allowed to dry to the surface. Work quickly to remove it as soon as possible after spilling.
You Will Need:
- Old cloths and/or newspaper
- Scrubbing brush
- Bucket
- Water
- Soap or detergent
Steps to Remove the Wet Paint:
- Begin by wiping up as much paint as possible using the old towels or newspapers.
- Mix a good amount of soap or detergent with hot water in the bucket.
- Pour some of the soapy water onto the paint-spilled area and scrub with a scrub brush.
- It will take some work, but continue scrubbing until all of the paint has been removed from the surface.
- When all of the paint has been scrubbed away, rinse the area with clean water to remove any soap residue.
- Allow the area to dry completely.
Removing Paint that has Dried
Dried paint will require some extra persistence and methods to release the paint from the surface. Once it is loosened, it can usually be scraped or scrubbed away.
You Will Need:
- Razor or paint scraper
- Acetone
- Paint thinner or gel stripper
- Old cloths and/or newspaper
- Scrubbing brush
- Bucket
- Water
- Mild soap
- Vacuum
Steps to Remove the Dried Paint:
- Start by scraping as much paint off as possible using the razor or paint scraper.
- Vacuum the area to remove any dust or paint pieces from the surface.
- Next, pour the acetone on the paint and allow it to set for a few minutes.
- Depending on the thickness of the remaining paint layer, either scrub the area with a scrub brush or scrape it with the razor to remove the paint.
- If there are still bits of paint that remain, apply a paint stripper or gel stripper, following the manufacturer’s instructions and scrape away to remove.
- When all of the paint has been removed, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water to remove all traces of removal products.
- Allow the area to dry thoroughly.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- If nothing else will remove the dried paint, consider sandblasting the area.
- Using a floor grinder might help to remove the paint. A floor grinder will get into the pores of the concrete to thoroughly remove the paint.
- Both of these processes can be completed by a professional, or can often be rented from home improvement stores for an experienced DIYer.
I’ve got outdoor acrylic paint on my york stone paving. Tried scrubbing, Nitromores paint stripper and ‘thinners’ (these turning the stone a purple-ish colour).
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Try Peal Away 7 by Dulux. About £12.44 inc vat. For 750 grams.
For dried on acrylic, I have tried scrubbing and a pressure washer. Doesn’t work and other cleaners may damage the concrete.
Thanks; got the paint right off!
Thanks for your reply to my query. I’ll try it first thing tomorrow and let you know the result.
Toni – that is the exact problem I have! How did you do it in the end? Or any other suggestions welcome from anyone else! Thanks.
Either buy or rent a pressure washer. Every home should have one anyway. Paint comes off in a snap. ANY paint. No scrubbing, no chemicals, no strain.
Heck, you can cut concrete, if you leave it on long enough. I know, I have hacked up the wood on my deck plenty of times.
Can’t we just burn it out? What if I pour some barbecue lighter liquid on the spot and burn it?
I hired a man to restain my house. He let the stain run down onto my faux stone foundation. Now I have a really big mess. He said it would come right off, not to worry!! WRONG!!! I can’t get it off! He tried to pressure wash it. It was too powerful for the ‘stone’ and it chipped them to pieces!!! Any suggestions?