Best Way to Remove Old Paint and Sealer from Concrete
#1
08-09-21, 08:52 AM
Best Way to Remove Old Paint and Sealer from Concrete
I'm planning to do an acid stain on the concrete floor of my two room basement (and possibly the garage floor too). The floor is in good shape but in one of the rooms the floor has been painted (and sealed I believe) and I'm pretty sure the floor in the other room has been sealed. Hard to tell, but when dropping water onto it, it seems to stand there and not get absorbed quickly. It doesn't bead up either though.
Anyhow, I figure I need some sort of solvent to remove all the paint and sealer. I'd rather not pay someone to do this, as I'd like to get it done soon and without much expense. I have a respirator mask, goggles and gloves, so will be well protected. There are a few windows in the basement too, so it's got SOME ventilation. I want to use a product that will get the stuff up as easily as possible. Am I asking too much here? Is this likely to be a back breaking endeavor or if using the right product should I be able to get the stuff up pretty easily?
Product recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Anyhow, I figure I need some sort of solvent to remove all the paint and sealer. I'd rather not pay someone to do this, as I'd like to get it done soon and without much expense. I have a respirator mask, goggles and gloves, so will be well protected. There are a few windows in the basement too, so it's got SOME ventilation. I want to use a product that will get the stuff up as easily as possible. Am I asking too much here? Is this likely to be a back breaking endeavor or if using the right product should I be able to get the stuff up pretty easily?
Product recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
#3
08-09-21, 09:04 AM
I don't know if I want to grind 500 square ft of concrete. The work and noise and dust from that would be a nightmare. I've got a respirator, and will spend as little time in the basement as possible, letting the solvent do its work... I'm also open to suggestions for products that are not as bad fume-wise. I know there are citrus based strippers for instance. Any product recommendations would be appreciated.
#4
08-09-21, 09:26 AM
Group Moderator
Grinding is the only way I know to remove a penetrating sealer from concrete. The problem is it is not a paint on the surface. Sealer penetrates into the concrete so you really need to remove concrete to get rid of the sealer. You can try strippers but then I would do a test staining of a small area to see if you get satisfactory results.
#5
08-09-21, 09:38 AM
Oh man. There's always more to it than you'd expect! OK so if I am to grind the floor down... What is the easiest and least messy way to do this? I will have to rent or buy the power tools to do this. Would there be some sort of wet sanding method that could eliminate dust flying everywhere? If it's going to be that bad I will just have to pay somebody to do it I guess. Thanks for the advice!
#6
08-09-21, 10:07 AM
Looking at the Home Depot website, my local store has an electric walk-behind grinder with dual heads. Is this the tool for the job? Any tips on minimizing the massive amounts of concrete dust would be appreciated too. I want to do this right! :-)
Also... Does anybody know if a walk-behind grinder will fit in the back of a Honda CRV? Delivery fee is more expensive than the rental itself.
Also... Does anybody know if a walk-behind grinder will fit in the back of a Honda CRV? Delivery fee is more expensive than the rental itself.
Last edited by Jonny Klobber; 08-09-21 at 12:19 PM.
#7
08-09-21, 02:20 PM
Group Moderator
"Any tips on minimizing the massive amounts of concrete dust..."
That depends on the machine you rent. Many machines have a port to attach a dust collection system or a shop vac. Some operate wet so instead of dust you get a wet slurry to clean up. The one I've used had a connection for a garden hose and I had a helper with a wet dry shop vac cleaning up as I ground.
Does anybody know if a walk-behind grinder will fit in the back of a Honda CRV?
That depends on the size of the grinder. Take some measurements of your car and the tool before renting it.
That depends on the machine you rent. Many machines have a port to attach a dust collection system or a shop vac. Some operate wet so instead of dust you get a wet slurry to clean up. The one I've used had a connection for a garden hose and I had a helper with a wet dry shop vac cleaning up as I ground.
Does anybody know if a walk-behind grinder will fit in the back of a Honda CRV?
That depends on the size of the grinder. Take some measurements of your car and the tool before renting it.
#8
08-09-21, 02:42 PM
Is it possible to do this job with some sort of hand held tool? The big grinder will just cost too much with rental and delivery to make it worthwhile.
#9
08-09-21, 02:43 PM
Member
Yep, concrete is like a big sponge.
When I epoxied my garage they used a floor scrubber with special pads, even with the doors open it was a mess. Like cutting tile, unless you can find a wet sander, which I have never seen, I dont think I would attempt indoors!
When I epoxied my garage they used a floor scrubber with special pads, even with the doors open it was a mess. Like cutting tile, unless you can find a wet sander, which I have never seen, I dont think I would attempt indoors!
#10
08-09-21, 02:47 PM
Ugh. Maybe I should give up on my plan to do the acid stain. That is very disappointing... Are there any other ways to finish to a concrete floor that could be applied on top of the existing sealer?
