Best for Concrete
Concrete is porous, which means it will easily absorb anything applied. Still, this characteristic also makes its removal much harder. Finding the best paint stripper for concrete can be quite a challenge. This does not mean the removal is impossible, whether on concrete garage floors or walls.
Liquid
Chemical solutions will get the job done, whether used only for spot removal. It’s great for stripping it off on a concrete garage surface in preparation for another coat being added on afterward. However, it is not as easy as it would be on wood.
Choosing the right kind for a concrete surface will mainly depend on the type used. All three types can be applied to concrete without causing damage. Use caustic strippers for the following:
- epoxy
- polyurethane
- polyurea
- polyaspartic
- and acrylic coatings
These are commonly used on concrete. At the same time, oil-based paint is easily removed by solvent products. Biochemical ones can also work with different materials on concrete, but the entire process will still take longer.
Sometimes, these products may not be enough to do the work because of the porous nature of concrete. It’s even if thick layers are applied over the paint. In such instances, additives that will make the chemicals absorbent simultaneously may be used. Ordinary cat litter or clay will work well, which is crushed to become fine. They must be mixed with the active component before application.
Do note that reapplication may be necessary to complete the process.
Sanding
Sanding may also be used for concrete, but normally only for floors. A sanding disc is attached to a standard floor buffer instead of a polisher. The paint is removed in the same manner as polishing the floor.
This method can effectively remove paint that has gone deep into the concrete holes. It is also known to damage the surface because of the scrapes and scratches it can create. That is why polishing the floors after the work is done and before applying a new coat of paint may be necessary.
Power Washing
Another method for concrete that may be considered less invasive is through power washing. Since water-based paint is typically used on concrete, power washing alone may be enough. There is no need to apply a coat of remover over the paint before washing it off using the pressure washer.
If water is not enough to get the desired result, more abrasive washers may be used. It can either be a shot blaster or sandblaster. They work the same way as a pressure washer. Instead of water, a shot blaster uses tiny beads made of metal. A sandblaster uses sand. Since they are very abrasive, they must be used carefully to minimize any damage to concrete.
Working on concrete surfaces is more challenging, thanks to its porous nature.
Best For Metal
You’ll need to know that it isn’t all that easy if you’re looking to remove paint from metal.
For instance, it could be that you have an old bike that you’re hoping to work on. It would be one of the easier things you could deal with.
If you’re trying to remove something from the old furniture you have outside, you’re setting yourself up for quite the task.
The bicycle has the advantage that the surface is pretty smooth, unlike outdoor furniture. It is the reason for the differences in the job’s difficulty.
If you’re dealing with paint and facing a surface that isn’t smooth, stripping it off may be the next step you have to take.
The important thing is that you do the steps in the right order.
The first step is to make sure that you’re covering the ground to have a surface that is easy to clean afterward. It’s easier to remove if you don’t have to sweep it up from a concrete floor but rather have to fold the plastic sheeting together and throw it away. You can also make do with old newspapers instead.
If you’re dealing with something old, we encourage you to have the surface tested for lead. It’s because lead was allowed to be included in consumer products until 1992.
Here are some brands to look into:
- Smart Strip
- Sunnyside
- Safe ‘n Easy
The second step is to pour some of the appropriate product into a small container that you can throw away afterward. We recommend something like a metal can that has been cleaned. You can then use a brush to cover the surface of the metal with the chemical by following the instructions included in the product you’re using.
Bubbles coming from the surface will start appearing, at which point you can start scraping it off. A nylon brush or scrubbing pad can be used for those areas that are difficult to do with the scraper. You may need to reapply the solution several times to achieve your desired result.
A rag with mineral spirits will be used to wipe down the surface once you are done scraping. It will help remove the remnants and remove a good bit of the used product.
You want to make sure that the paint stripper is no longer there. It includes rinsing the surface with generous amounts of water, after which you will dry the surface with a rag.
If you’re dealing with lead-based surfaces, we encourage you to take the necessary steps to avoid exposure to excessive lead levels.
