Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

robt65

May 6, 2011, 10:49 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2214 views)

Shortcut

Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

As will happen when there is a 14 month old around, our little Angi accidently kicked over a quart of oil based yellow metal paint onto the concrete walk. Does anyone have any tricks for removing such an oil based paint from concrete? I don't want to make a bigger mess. If any one has any tried and true methods, I would appreciate knowing about it. I do have a pressure washer at hand, and also a four inch grinder with a wire brush, but I think the wire brush will change the color of the concrete. How about a solvent of some kind, washed off immediately with the pressure washer and some Dawn dish detergent? Any thoughts about that one, or will that only make a bigger mess also?

Thanks,
robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on May 6, 2011, 10:51 AM)

sparks

May 6, 2011, 5:20 PM

Post #2 of 9 (2189 views)

Shortcut

Re: [robt65] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

You're asking here in an emergency? You should have tried 10 different things by now if .... rags, thinner and a wire brush didn't work in the first 5 minutes

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

chinagringo

May 6, 2011, 5:31 PM

Post #3 of 9 (2185 views)

Shortcut

Re: [robt65] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

How about a solution of muriatic acid and water. I would start with a fairly weak mix and then step it up to get the desired effect without damaging the concrete.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

sparks

May 6, 2011, 7:51 PM

Post #4 of 9 (2173 views)

Shortcut

Re: [chinagringo] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Muriatic acid works on cement to a certain extent but doubt it has much effect on oil based paint. Maybe after you've dealt with the paint

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

robt65

May 6, 2011, 8:54 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2160 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sparks] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi Sparks,

No not an emergency......... this happened two or three weeks ago and my wife thought that she could just let it dry and peel it off!!! Surprise that didn't work for her. If I was here IU would ahve tried doing some of the things you suggested. I didn't find out about it until I got home on Sunday. It had already mostly dried. Concrete is porous and I really don't believe it will take just one try of anything. I think I am going to try an oil based paint stripper soaking the concrete with some plastic sheeting over it for about 30 minutes, then try to peel what you can, and use a power washer with some TSP. These are two foot by two foot concrete squares (precast with a light red color) and four inch wide inlaid river rock in between the 2 X 2 Concrete squares. I have heard of this method before, but I have never heard first hand of any results pro or con.

I agree with Sparks, Neil, I don't think that muratic acid will work and may etch or damage the concrete. It's a pretty powerful acid, and I sure don't know the correct water soultion mix to make it work without concrete damage.

robt65

Rolly / Moderator

May 6, 2011, 9:23 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2158 views)

Shortcut

Re: [robt65] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Or you could just paint the whole wall that color.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

robt65

May 7, 2011, 4:42 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2138 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi Rolly,

Damn . . . . . . You had me worried there for a minute Rolly. . . . . These pain pills for my knee sure do make my key boarding (spelling) lousy! I had to go out and check again . . . . . . yep! . . . . . it's still the walkway (sidewalk) that has the bright yellow paint on it . . . . . . . and not the wall!!!!!! Or are you just trying to make walking with my crutches and this damn flexible cast more difficult for me to do! (smiling)

robt65

Rolly / Moderator

May 7, 2011, 7:52 AM

Post #8 of 9 (2122 views)

Shortcut

Re: [robt65] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I guess it's my eyesight again. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between the sidewalk and the wall --- they're both hazards to me. Smile

Rolly

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

robt65

May 7, 2011, 11:18 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2092 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Removing Oil Based Paint From Concrete Walk.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi Rolly,

You know that we both have bad eyesight now which is probably why I busted my damned knee cap just before leaving Texas to come back home. Maybe that was a wall I was trying to navagate and not a sidewalk after all! (smiling) I'll haver to ask someone next time when I have to return to Texas.

robt65