Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: For small spots
• Method 2 of 3: For stubborn stains
• Method 3 of 3: For large stains
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

If you accidentally spill some paint on a concrete driveway or garage floor, it may seem like you can't do anything about it. Removing paint from concrete is hard and time-consuming, but with the right tools and persistence, you can do it. Follow the tips below to remove even the toughest paint from your concrete pavement.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: For small spots

1. 1 Prepare the concrete surface. Brush or vacuum clean all dirt and debris. If possible, scrape off any remaining paint from the concrete with a scraper or brush.
2. 2 Apply a chemical paint thinner to the concrete surface. The type of solvent depends on the type of paint you are trying to remove, such as water-based or oil-based. When in doubt, use an oil paint thinner.
3. 3 Give the solvent time. Check the manufacturer's directions on the solvent can. It will take you 2 to 8 hours, and in some cases only a few minutes.
4. 4 Clean up the concrete. Remove paint residues with a brush or scraper. Alternatively, if the paint stain is outside, pressurized water jet can be used.
5. 5 Repeat steps as needed. In some cases, you will need to apply paint thinner two or even three times to completely remove the paint from the concrete.
6. 6 Clean the concrete surface. Use a high pressure water jet to remove all traces of solvent. If you've removed paint stains, cleaning the concrete will prevent clean stains from appearing on the concrete surface.

Method 2 of 3: For stubborn stains

1. 1 Prepare an absorbent paint thinner. Collect what you need. You will need a paint thinner. If you work in a well-ventilated area (outdoors or in an open, detached garage), you can use methylene chloride thinner. This will make the process much faster. You will need a respirator if this is the solvent you will be using.
   • You need absorbent material. Shallow clay soil is best. If you don't have one, powder your cat litter.
   • To finish cleaning, you will need a stiff brush and scouring powder.
2. 2 Mix solvent with absorbent material. Make a paste with clay or cat litter. Depending on the consistency of the solvent, you may need a lot of clay. The absorbent material will help remove the paint from the concrete, which will then be easier to scrape off.
3. 3 Apply the mixture. Apply a layer of absorbent mixture to the paint stain on the concrete. Wait a while for the solvent to take effect. Depending on the chemicals you are using, this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours.
   • Add more solvent during the process to keep the ingredients active.
4. 4 Scrape off the mixture. The solvent should have done most of the work for you, so all you have to do is scrape the mixture with a hard plastic scraper. Apply a second coat of the mixture if the paint has not removed and repeat the procedure.
5. 5 Remove paint. Using a stiff brush, scrubbing powder and water, scrub the paint off the surface. Rinse off the absorbent mixture and completely clean the concrete from the paint.

Method 3 of 3: For large stains

1. 1 Soda blasting. Determine if this method is right for you. If the stain is large, this may be better than using a paint thinner. One form of sandblasting is baking soda as a cleaning agent. Baking soda is much more environmentally friendly than using chemicals and will not damage the concrete surface.
2. 2 Get a sandblaster. To treat the surface with baking soda, you need an apparatus with a container. You can rent such a device at a hardware store. You will also need special sodium bicarbonate. The baking soda you buy at the grocery store is too fine to be used in a sandblaster. You should be able to purchase a suitable powder at the same place where you will rent the machine. You can also order the powder online.
   • Most standard sandblasting machines cannot handle baking soda. To use sodium bicarbonate, you have to find a special apparatus.
3. 3 Treat the painted surface. Work slowly, keeping the nozzle about half a meter off the ground. Remember to wear a respirator to avoid inhaling particles. Move the nozzle evenly over the painted area without missing anything.
   • If you do this near vegetation, avoid getting particles on the plants. High pH baking soda can cause darkening and death of flowers and shrubs.
   • If you need to clean a large amount of paint, consider contacting a professional. You may need a very large apparatus and a large amount of baking soda, so it will be difficult to do this yourself.

Tips

• It is recommended to use the solvent on surfaces that are not warmer than room temperature.
• Some solvents can brighten concrete. Test the product on a small area before applying to the entire surface.
• If all else fails, buy a paint that can be used on concrete and paint the entire surface.
• Contact your paint manufacturer to find out which type of solvent to use.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label when using the solvent. Some chemicals must be mixed or diluted.
• If the dirt surface is large, you may find it more convenient to work in small areas.
• Wear rubber boots and gloves, and protect your eyes with safety goggles.
• Apply solvent and rub the surface very vigorously.

Warnings

• Take extra precautions when using acetone or acid based solvents. Wear protective clothing and wash it immediately after using such products.
• Products containing methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) are highly flammable, give off vapors and are toxic.
• Use solvent in a well-ventilated area. If you are working on a garage or basement floor, make sure the windows are open. Some types of solvents can only be used outdoors.

What do you need

• Thinner or paint remover
• Bucket
• Scraper or brush
• Pressurized water jet
• Absorbent material
• Rubber gloves and shoes
• Protective glasses