Will Vinegar Remove Paint From Concrete? (Find Out Now!)

Jennifer Eggerton
by Jennifer Eggerton

Paint on concrete is one of the most difficult spills to clean. It gets into the nooks and crannies of the surface, and dry paint sticks to the concrete like glue. Paint remover will certainly work, but not everyone wants to use harsh chemicals. Can you use common, everyday products to remove paint from concrete?

Vinegar removes paint and grease from concrete. Heat the vinegar until it is hot, but not boiling. Dab it on the paint with a brush or sponge. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Spray the concrete with a garden hose or pressure washer. For stubborn stains, repeat the process after 15 minutes, and scrub with a wire brush.

There are plenty of chemicals that you can use to remove the paint, but what if you want a chemical-free solution? Let’s take a look at how to remove paint from concrete using common household products.

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Vinegar Removes Dry Paint from Concrete

Believe it or not, you can use vinegar to remove paint from concrete. Vinegar has acidic properties, which is why it has such a strong flavor. The acid also breaks down paint particles. Here’s how to use vinegar to remove paint from concrete.

  • Heat 1 cup of distilled white vinegar on the stove or microwave (don’t use any other type of vinegar)
  • Use a brush or sponge to dab the warm vinegar onto the paint
  • Let it sit for about 15 minutes
  • Spray with a garden hose or pressure washer

For stubborn and set paint stains on concrete, wait 15 minutes, and apply more warm vinegar. Let it set for 15 minutes, and spray with a pressure washer or garden hose. A wire brush helps to scrape away the paint.

Does Vinegar Harm Concrete?

The acidic properties of vinegar may break down the sealer on the concrete or the cement that binds the concrete. After the paint stain is removed, apply a layer of concrete sealant or cement slurry.

How to Remove Paint from Concrete Without Chemicals

Here are some more chemical-free ways to remove paint from concrete.

Sanding Removes Paint from Concrete

The tiny, sharp, angular design of sand makes it good for removing paint from concrete. Use a sandblaster, orbital sander, or sanding block to remove the paint. Use diamond sandpaper and regular sandpaper on concrete.

If removing the paint with sand makes the surface uneven, apply a slurry of cement and water. Let it set for 48 hours, and apply two coats of sealant.

Use an Angled Grinder to Remove Paint from Concrete

An angled grinder to remove paint from concrete. The grinder has a wheel that is made with an abrasive material, such as aluminum oxide, alloy steel, or carbon steel. A grinder removes paint from concrete faster than sanding. Be careful when you use a grinder on concrete. These tools work very fast, and you may end up with a deep indentation in the concrete. Apply slurry to smooth the surface, and seal the concrete.

Sodium Bicarbonate for Paint on Concrete

Sodium bicarbonate is found in every pantry in the form of baking soda. Unfortunately, sprinkling baking sodas on paint will not remove it from concrete. Soda blasting is similar to sand blasting, but the sodium bicarbonate is less abrasive than sand. There is a lower risk of damaging the concrete under the paint. Apply a sealer to the concrete.

How to Remove Wet Paint from Concrete

Wet paint on concrete may seem like an easy cleanup job, but you will likely just spread the paint. The two best ways to remove wet paint from concrete is with a pressure washer or dish soap. You don’t need to reseal the concrete.

Use a Pressure Washer to Remove Wet Paint from Concrete

Pressure washers are effective for removing wet paint from concrete, even if the paint has already started to dry. Set the pressure washer to 3,000 psi, and concentrate the spray on the paint stain. Move the sprayer around to get into the nooks and crannies of the concrete. Use a wire brush to remove the more stubborn parts of the stain.

Dish Soap Works for Wet Paint on Concrete

Add a few drops of dish soap to warm water. Dab the solution onto the wet paint, and soak it up with a dry cloth.


Related Questions

Can you make paint stripper at home?

Yes. Use 1 cup of cat litter, 1/2 cup of paint thinner, and 1 cup of fine clay. Apply the paste to the paint, and let it sit for 2 hours. Scrape the paint with a wire brush or paint scraper.


How do you clean paint from metal?

Hot vinegar works well for removing paint from metal. Heat the vinegar in the microwave. Soak the metal in the bowl, or dab the vinegar onto the metal. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.

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What Did We Learn?

Vinegar can be used to remove paint from concrete. Heat the vinegar on the stove or in the microwave until it is hot, but not boiling. Dab it onto the paint, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Spray the paint stain with a pressure washer or garden hose. Use a wire brush for more stubborn paint stains.

The vinegar may break down the cement or sealant. After the paint is removed, apply a slurry of cement and water. Let it sit for at least 48 hours. Next, apply a fresh coat of sealant.

You can also remove paint from concrete with sand blasting, sanding, grinding, and soda blasting. Sand is great for getting into the nooks and crannies of the concrete. Sodium bicarbonate is less abrasive than sand, and it won’t damage the concrete under the paint.

Remove wet paint from concrete with a pressure washer or dish soap. Set the pressure washer to 3,000 psi, and use a small spray to concentrate the water onto the stain. Rinse the entire slab as you work to avoid getting paint elsewhere on the concrete. For drips and small paint spills on concrete, put a few drops of dish soap in warm water. Dab the paint with the solution. Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth.

Jennifer Eggerton
Jennifer Eggerton

Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.

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