How To Get Spray Paint Off Of Concrete In 6 Steps

Are you struggling with getting spray paint off concrete? Removing spray paint from concrete can be a nuisance, whether it’s due to vandalism, a DIY project gone wrong, or accidental spills. 

Concrete’s porous nature makes it great for soaking up paint and creating a saturated-looking final result, but it also means that removing unwanted paint can be a challenge. 

In this article, we’ll explore an effective method for how to get spray paint off of concrete.

Steps To Rid Your Concrete of Spray Paint

Read through all the instructions and safety information on the cleaner or paint stripper that you choose. Then follow these steps to effectively and safely remove spray paint from your concrete surface.

Step 1: Gather Materials and Take Safety Precautions

Before you learn how to get spray paint off concrete, you must gather all the needed materials. This includes safety equipment. Some materials you’ll need to purchase include the following:

• Safety goggles
• A full face mask or a respirator mask
• Chemical-repellent gloves
• Scrapers
• Scrubbing brushes
• Pressure washer
• Painter’s tape
• Paintbrushes
• Sponges
• Putty knife
• Paint stripper or Trisodium Phosphate (a heavy-duty cleaner that can remove stains and sanitize a surface through something called saponification, which is a chemical reaction that creates fatty acid salts, or soaps, that break the paint down)

Safety First

It’s essential to understand the importance of taking safety precautions when handling paint stripper products, which can be highly toxic.

Here are some important safety precautions to take when handling paint stripper products:

• Wear protective gear: It’s essential to wear protective gear such as gloves, a respirator mask, safety goggles, and long-sleeved clothing when handling paint stripper products. This will protect your skin, eyes, and respiratory system from harmful chemicals.
• Work in a well-ventilated area: Paint stripper products release fumes that can be harmful when inhaled, so it’s crucial to work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate, or work outside if possible.
• Read the product label: Before using any paint stripper product, carefully read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Different products may have different application methods, safety precautions, and wait times.
• Keep children and pets away: Keep children and pets away from the work area when using paint stripper products. The chemicals can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, and accidental spills can be dangerous.
• Dispose of the product properly: Dispose of any leftover paint stripper product and used rags or brushes properly. Many paint stripper products are hazardous waste and should be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.

Taking these safety precautions will help you avoid eye and skin irritation, headaches, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and long-term health effects such as reproductive issues, cancer, and organ damage.

Step 2: Test the Paint Stripper or Cleaner

When it’s time to start stripping the spray paint, start by testing a small area first. You should always do this to ensure the product you’re using works on the paint and to make sure it doesn’t damage the concrete behind it. Damage to the concrete can cause premature erosion and cracking.

Testing your paint stripper or cleaner will also show you how the product works and how long it’ll take to work. From here, you can gauge how much product you’ll need and how thick you’ll need to paint it on.

Steps To Test Out Your Paint Stripper Or Cleaner

1. Grab your painter’s tape and tape off a rectangle or square of the spray-painted area. 
2. Get your paintbrush or sponge and paint some of the paint stripper or cleaner onto this blocked-off area. Make sure there is an even amount on the entire taped-off area.
3. Wait for it to work. Let the product sit on the paint for about ten to 15 minutes.
4. After the paint begins to lift, grab your scraper and scrape the paint off.
5. Examine the area to see if it worked or caused any damage to the concrete. If it worked and didn’t cause damage, you can apply the product to the entire area you are looking to strip.

Step 3: Apply the Paint Stripper Or Cleaner

Follow these steps to apply your paint stripper:

1. Many paint strippers come in containers. So, when you apply it, you should start by scooping some out with a putty knife and wiping it on the concrete. The putty knife makes it much easier to initially get it onto the concrete.
2. Grab your paintbrush and spread it around on the spray-painted area. Use the paintbrush the same way you’d use it if you were painting. Make sure your layer of paint stripper is as even as possible.

Use these steps to apply your Trisodium Phosphate cleaner:

1. Trisodium Phosphate is usually a powder-based cleaner that you’ll need to mix with hot water before using it. Look on the packaging for specific amounts. This is chemistry, so you must follow directions completely if you want it to work correctly. 
2. Once mixed, you can get a sponge and dip it into the mixture. Make sure your gloves are on for this. Squeeze the sponge out so that it’s only damp instead of sopping wet.
3. Swipe the sponge across the entire spray-painted area. Go back to the bucket of solution as needed, ensuring you wring out the sponge each time.

Step 4: Allow the Paint Stripper To Work

Many paint strippers use methylene chloride to assist in the breaking-down process of the paint. The chemical reaction it creates with the paint will cause the paint to bubble up, almost looking like foam. This makes it much easier to remove with a scraper. The bubbling process typically takes about ten to 15 minutes. You can start scraping when the bubbling stops.

When you use Trisodium Phosphate, you will need to wait a little longer for it to break down the paint and allow it to soften. The paint will typically be ready to scrape off around the 20-minute mark, but it can take up to half an hour.

You can try scraping the paint after 20 minutes. If it isn’t soft enough to scrape off, wait another ten minutes and start scraping off as much paint as possible. 

Step 5: Remove the Paint

Now it’s time to remove the soft paint! Whichever product you used should’ve softened the paint enough for you to scrape it off without pulling a muscle. Use the following steps to help you through the removal process:

1. After you apply the product and wait for it to work fully, you can grab your scraper and start chipping away at the paint. Again, try to scrape off as much paint as possible. 
2. There will probably still be residue left due to the porous nature of concrete. Your next removal option is to grab a pressure washer and spray the entire area. The pressurized water should be able to blast off most of the leftover residue. 
3. While the concrete is wet, you can use a scrubbing brush to get into the concrete pores and lift the remaining paint residue. Apply some pressure when doing this to effectively scrub out the pores. 
4. Repeat the pressure washer and scrub brush method until you feel satisfied with the removal. 

Step 6: Clean Up

After washing and scrubbing off the rest of the paint residue, you need to start cleaning up. First, you should close up the container of whichever product you used to break down the paint. If you don’t plan to use it again, it might be a good idea to dispose of it to prevent any toxicity accidents in the future. 

Never pour chemicals like this down your drain, as you can contaminate local groundwater. Instead, look for a hazardous waste disposal site nearby to dispose of any remaining paint stripper or Trisodium Phosphate. 

Water will be your best friend when cleaning off residue. Use the following steps to clean up:

1. The best way to rid your concrete of any paint or stripper residue is to thoroughly rinse it with water. You can use the pressure for this or a strong garden hose. Chemicals like this can cause smog when it reacts with the air. The water will help with dilution. 
2. Dispose of brushes and sponges that came into contact with the stripper or cleaner. Don’t save them, as they might have residue even after rinsing. 
3. After all your supplies are either away or disposed of, you can remove your safety gear.

FAQs

If you have questions about getting spray paint off concrete, here are some of the most common questions from across the web to give you more information.

• Does vinegar remove spray paint from concrete?

  Yes, vinegar can remove paint from concrete, but its effectiveness depends on several factors, such as the age and type of paint, the size of the area to be cleaned, and the method of application.

  Vinegar is an acid that can help break down the chemical bonds of some types of paint, making it easier to remove. However, vinegar is not a strong acid, so it may not be effective against all types of paint.

• Will WD-40 remove spray paint from concrete?

  Yes, WD-40 can remove spray paint from concrete. However, while WD-40 may be effective for small areas or isolated spots, it may not be the best choice for larger areas or multiple layers of paint. In those cases, a stronger paint stripper or a professional cleaning service may be necessary.

• Does Goo Gone remove spray paint from concrete?

  Yes, Goo Gone can remove spray paint from concrete. Goo Gone is a solvent-based cleaner that is designed to remove a wide range of adhesives, sealants, and other sticky substances, including paint.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to get spray paint off of concrete can be difficult and time-consuming. You’ll need a long list of materials, including a paint stripper or heavy-duty cleaner to break down the paint and plenty of water. Blocking out an entire day to do this job might be helpful, as it can take a couple of tries to get all of the spray paint off. 

After you complete the removal process, it might be a good idea to apply a clear sealant to the concrete to prevent future spray paint from sticking. Doing this will save you the headache of repeating the removal process, keeping you from being exposed to harmful chemicals again. 

Remember to always use safety gear and follow the instructions on your products, and the spray paint removal process should go smoothly.