When you accidentally spill paint, especially on a porous material like concrete with a lot of little nooks and crannies, it can be a truly tragic moment. Concrete is notoriously hard to clean and can be difficult to treat due to the material it is made of creating a lot of pockets to trap in the paint. That being said, all hope is not lost! Let’s discuss some of the best paint removers for concrete and see if we can find one that will help get your mess cleaned up in a pinch.
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- Thick, easy to spread formula
- Works well on wide range of surfaces
- Safer choice
- Deep cleaning
- Requires 1 application
- New and improved formula
- Safer
- No odor
- Fast acting
- Liquid formula
- Works on wide range of paints and varnishes
- Made for concrete use
- Very strong
- Multi-use
Overall #1 Rated Pick
Sunnyside 657G1A Multi-Strip ADVANCED Paint & Varnish Remover
When using a remover for paint from concrete as a cleaner option, you need a product you can trust to break down the paint and lift it from the surface. Due to this, you really need something that will be quite powerful and work to cut down on the scrubbing necessary to get the job done. The Sunnyside Multi-Strip Advanced Paint and Varnish Remover works exactly like this, breaking down the stuck on paint at a molecular level to make removal a breeze.
This product is capable of removing up to 15 layers of paint, varnish, stain, lacquer and urethane and starts working in as little as thirty minutes to break down even dried paint. To use, simply apply a light coat to remove 1-4 layers or a heavier coat for larger amounts of paint to be used with a striping tool. This product is excellent for almost any paint removal job imaginable, even on very old, cracked concrete, so giving this product a shot is definitely a good idea, especially considering the price and functionality!
Key Features:
- Easy to use
- Good for messes of all sizes
- Affordable
Paint Remover for Concrete Buying Guide
When looking for a paint remover for concrete, there are a few things to understand to make the process a lot easier. Let’s discuss how paint remover works and what your options are to help you better understand what you need to get your specific paint removal task finished up.
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results.
- Sunnyside 657G1A Multi-Strip ADVANCED Paint & Varnish Remover
- RUST-OLEUM 310984 Gallon Gallon Concrete Paint Stripper
- Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
- Sunnyside 63532 2-Minute Remover Advanced Paint & Varnish Remover Liquid
- BLUE BEAR 500MR Mastic Remover for Concrete Surfaces Gallon
- Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
- Wire Brush Set,Heavy Duty Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Wire Scratch Brush for Cleaning Rust with 14" Long Curved Beechwood Handle
Types of paint remover for concrete
There are generally four different kinds of paint remover products: solvents, caustics, bio-chemicals, and zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) cleaners. Each serves a different purpose and has different pros and cons concerning their usage.
Solvents
Solvents are the most versatile type of paint remover or stripper. These work well with water-based formula and oil-based products to break down the paint and make it easier to remove with soap and water. It also works with epoxy and polyurethane and can be used on surfaces like concrete, masonry, and metal without potentially causing discoloration.
Caustic
Caustic cleansers typically have a chemical called lye in them that works to essentially burn the paint and debond it from the surface of the concrete or alternative surface. Caustic strippers may sound scary but they are some of the most effective on oil-based paints that can be trickier to remove. They must be applied in roughly 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layers and need to sit for at least 30 minutes or more in order to be effective.
Biochemical
As a safer alternative to caustic and solvent paint removers, biochemical strippers are becoming more and more popular in recent years. This is because they work very well to break down paint without giving off harmful fumes or other potentially harmful effects. You still need to use a respirator and other appropriate safety gear when using this type of solvent, but the risk is decreased compared to other removers. This is a good option for those looking to remove spray paint from concrete since it works well on thinner layered products. It needs to be applied in a layer that is around 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch and be left alone for a few hours, generally, but otherwise works similarly to caustic and solvent removers.
Zero-VOC
Zero-VOC removers are paint removers that do not contain any of the potentially volatile compounds that are within solvent, caustic, and biochemical paint removers. These are considered the safest paint removers on the market but can still cause damage to soft tissues and the lungs if proper safety precautions are not taken. These must be applied in 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layers and left for a day before being removed in most cases in order to be effective.
What paint remover is safe for concrete?
Generally, any of the four paint remover options would be considered safe for concrete. This is due to the hardiness of the material and its ability to withstand some chemical abuse without degrading or eroding.
How to remove paint from concrete
When looking at how to remove paint from concrete, you should go with whatever your product of choice’s labelling says. If it indicates you should add a thick layer of the product and let it sit for a full day, as is common with zero-VOC products, you should do this. The directions are going to provide the best advice, as they will indicate what is required for that specific product to work properly. Just be sure to also read the recommended safety information, as well, to ensure you are not improperly exposing yourself to potentially harmful fumes or chemicals, too.
The Best Paint Remover for Concrete
Let’s explore the best paint remover for concrete options and see which best tackles the task you have at hand.
The top best product [hide]
Sunnyside 657G1A Multi-Strip ADVANCED Paint & Varnish Remover
RUST-OLEUM 310984 Gallon Gallon Concrete Paint Stripper
Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
Sunnyside 63532 2-Minute Remover Advanced Paint & Varnish Remover Liquid
BLUE BEAR 500MR Mastic Remover for Concrete Surfaces Gallon
Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Wire Brush Set,Heavy Duty Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Wire Scratch Brush for Cleaning Rust with 14" Long Curved Beechwood Handle
Conclusion
When removing paint from concrete, there are a lot of different things that can be used to help make the process easier. The biggest asset you can get is a good quality paint remover. Any of these products will likely serve you well and work to get the job done! All you have to do is choose which will work best for you!
