How To Clean Spray Paint Off Of Concrete

If you’ve recently completed a spray paint job on something, you have probably experienced how messy the stuff can be. 

Even if you took all the necessary precautions, such as covering surfaces, chances are some spray paint has spread to parts you wish it hadn’t. 

And here we have it: some paint marks, over-spraying or drips on our driveway, fresh concrete slab or shower floors.

You may have tried scrubbing it away but that doesn’t always work. And buying a powerwasher seems excessive and expensive. 

In today’s post, I am going to guide you through the steps to rid your concrete of that pesky paint spray once and for all even if you only have some household items at your disposal. 

And remember to save this guide if you ever need to remove spray paint from concrete in the future.

PREPARE TO REMOVE SPRAY PAINT

Before you start tackling the spray paint, you must be careful and take steps not to damage the concrete further, and to choose the right paint removal method.

What spray paint is on your concrete?

Two general types of spray paint are water-based and oil-based. 

The type of paint you accidentally got on your concrete floor, will determine what cleaning solution we can use.

Water-based spray paints	Oil-based spray paints
Acrylic/Latex paint Mostly interior wall and furniture paints, Have almost no odor and are less toxic, Easier to remove.  When wet, it can be removed with soap and water.	Oil paints, oil-based enamel paints Most common, especially for concrete driveways and outdoors Strong odor Harder to remove, require harsh thinners and chemicals

Protecting the concrete from damage

What we need to do now is to protect the concrete from any further damage from the paint and from the removal solution we choose, especially if you are about to use some strong paint removals or power washing.

To prevent the paint from getting further into the concrete, you can cover the concrete with a plastic sheet, drop cloths, or cardboard, or apply a thin coat of wax.

Some paint remover solutions and lacquer thinners can stain concrete and even eat away at it if left on for too long.

This is why, if you use any kind of paint thinner or graffiti remover, rinse it off with hot water immediately. 

Protect yourself

Also, you need to make sure you’re safe too. 

If you come into direct contact with these solutions, you must wear the necessary protective gear, such as safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator mask. 

When you’re prepared, it’s time to take a look at our top methods for removing paint spray from concrete.

Before you head to the store and spend money on supplies, you can try removing the spray paint with household items.

I always recommend starting with this method as it may do the job first time and it is the most economical way of removing paint from concrete.

EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REMOVE SPRAY PAINT FROM CONCRETE

Concrete is a porous material. The longer the paint sits on your concrete surface, the deeper it sinks into the concrete, and the harder it will be to remove the stain. 

Wet, fresh, drying paint is easier to remove, so act quickly when you notice the stain.

Hardened fully dry paint will probably require us to scrub, use stronger chemicals, or even rent a powerwash. 

Let’s explore some methods, from household items to professional work that can help us clean the paint off the concrete without damaging it.

METHOD 1 – SOAP AND WATER

Before you head to the store and spend money on supplies, you can try removing the spray paint with household items.

I always recommend starting with this method as it may do the job the first time and it is the most economical way of removing paint from concrete.

It will work best for water-based over-sprays. 

Supplies needed:

1. Warm water
2. Stuff bristled scrub brush
3. Two one-gallon buckets
4. A mild dish soap
5. A garden hose (if outside)
6. Paper towels (absorbent, heavy-duty)
7. A mop and bucket
8. Protective gear

Instructions:

1. Start by wiping or sweeping the affected surface to remove any debris and dust, and put on your protective equipment.
2. Add warm water to both of your buckets.
3. Set one bucket aside, and add a few drops of dish soap into the second bucket.
4. Now, pour some of the suds-free water onto the affected area.
5. Dip your brush into the bucket containing the dish soap and then brush the spray-painted area on the concrete using circular motions.
6. Next, using a paper towel, blot the spray to soak up any of the loosened spray paint.
7. Rinse clean with clean, warm water or a garden hose if you’re doing it outside.
8. If some paint remains, repeat this process and make sure you mop thoroughly afterward if cleaning indoors.

METHOD 2 – VINEGAR

To remove spray paint off concrete you can make a DIY solution with white vinegar, water, and baking soda. It is a cheap, effective, and non-toxic method.

An alternative recipe is to simply heat up some vinegar, without adding anything else. 

Such mixes are good for oil-based spray paints and you simply let it sit on the stain for up to 30 minutes, wipe it off, and thoroughly wash the concrete.

You should be careful with vinegar, as it is a powerful liquid and can damage concrete surfaces if left for a long time. It will start the etching process.

METHOD 3 – COCA-COLA

You can laugh, but I’m dead serious, 2L of Coca-Cola will not only remove paint stains, but you can use it to unclog your sink or toilet without any special fancy cleaning products. 

When I see Coke doing this, I’m wondering if we really should be drinking it!

METHOD 4 – ACETONE

Good old acetone can help remove a paint stain and works especially well on dried latex paint and adhesives.

Simply pour some on the stain, let it soak, and then wipe it clean. If the paint is stubborn, use a wire brush. 

Common alternatives to acetone for paint removals are nail polish remover and regular rubbing alcohol. 

But they will work best on fresh paint and water-based spray paints. 

METHOD 5 – WD-40  

If you have WD-40 in your storage, you can try using it to remove the over-spray. 

Simply spray it over the paint, scrub it with a wire brush, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse and repeat if the paint is stubborn.

METHOD 6 – OVEN CLEANER  

Simple spray oven cleaner tackles paint spills on concrete nicely.

1. Spray it over the paint and leave for 5-10 minutes.
2. If the paint is dry and challenging to remove, use a scrub brush with stiff bristles.
3. Rinse with water. If working outside, set the hose to high pressure.

You may also like: How to Clean Trex Decking

METHOD 7 – GRAFFITI REMOVER

If simple soap or cleaners didn’t do the trick, you may need to bring out the big guns in the form of graffiti remover. 

This will penetrate the spray paint and loosen its grip on the concrete until it comes off.

Supplies needed:

• Graffiti remover
• A one-gallon bucket
• Warm water
• Stiff bristled scrub brush
• A garden hose (if outside)
• A mop and bucket (if outside)
• Paper towels (absorbent and heavy-duty).

Instructions

• Like the last method, begin by brushing or sweeping away any excess debris or dirt and prepare yourself with protective gear.
• Add warm water to your bucket.
• Now, apply your graffiti remover but ensure you read the products’ instructions carefully. Sometimes, it may need to sit for a few minutes.
• Using circular movements, brush the paint on the concrete surface.
• Wipe or blot the affected surface with a paper towel or cloth.
• Finally, rinse with warm, clean water or a hose.
• Again, repeat this process if any excess paint remains and mop thoroughly if indoors. 

METHOD 8 – PAINT STRIPPER OR THINNER

Paint thinners or paint strippers are excellent for breaking down or thinning paint on concrete, especially hard-to-remove and oil-based spray paint stains.

Because paint thinner is a solvent, it will dissolve substances like paint easily. The paint stripper, however, is designed differently but also works well at removing paint.

It is typically non-caustic so it will not burn your skin and comes in the form of gels or solvent-based chemical formulations. 

Supplied needed:

• A paint stripper or thinner
• Protective gear
• A clean, disposable cloth

Instructions:

1. Start by sweeping or brushing the affected area to remove any excess debris.
2. Put on your protective clothing and gear.
3. Paint strippers can be quite toxic so make sure the area you’re working in is well ventilated.
4. Apply the paint stripper or thinner to the spray paint, making sure you are following the instructions on the product’s label.
5. After you have applied the stripper or thinner, wipe it clean with a cloth.
6. Apply and wipe the affected area until all the paint has been removed and then use a clean cloth to wipe away. 

Professional paint and adhesive removers like GoofOff will work amazingly to clean latex and acrylic paint. 

METHOD 9 – TSP

Tri-sodium Phosphate or TSP, is a multi-purpose cleaner available in many hardware stores at a reasonable price. 

If regular cleaning products don’t work, you can try TSP, but wear protective gloves and safety glasses as it has potent fumes.

Instructions:

1. Put on your protective gear and open the windows.
2. Mix TSP with water in a ratio of 1:4.
3. Rub it into the paint stain and leave for 15 minutes. For hard-dried paint use a wire brush.
4. Rinse off. 
5. Optional: To double the effect you can use a powerwasher to rinse the concrete.

METHOD 10 – SANDING

If you have a small paint drip, simple sanding with 120-grit sandpaper may work to remove it.

However, if you need to get rid of a large paint spill, manually sanding it will be a nightmare.

If we’re talking about a concrete slab or floors, you can rent a Floor maintainer with a sanding disk (36-grit) to do the job. Again, Home Depot often rents them out.

METHOD 11 – LYE or SIMPLE GREEN

Lye is sodium hydroxide, the active ingredient in oven cleaners. But by itself, it is more concentrated and powerful and can remove any spray paint marks from your concrete surface.

As it is an active chemical, you need to be very careful, use gloves, and goggles, and cover your arms and legs in case it can get to your skin.

If you’re too sensitive to it, a DIY method to dilute it is to use vinegar. That way, the mix will still be powerful but less corrosive. 

Once the paint stain is gone, wash the concrete multiple times to make sure all lye residue is removed.

A safer alternative to Lye would be the industrial Simple green – it’s not caustic, solvent-free, and safe to use.

METHOD 9 – TSP

Tri-sodium Phosphate or TSP, is a multi-purpose cleaner available in many hardware stores at a reasonable price. 

If regular cleaning products don’t work, you can try TSP, but wear protective gloves and safety glasses as it has potent fumes.

Instructions:

1. Put on your protective gear and open the windows.
2. Mix TSP with water in a ratio of 1:4.
3. Rub it into the paint stain and leave for 15 minutes. For hard-dried paint use a wire brush.
4. Rinse off. 
5. Optional: To double the effect you can use a powerwasher to rinse the concrete.

METHOD 10 – SANDING

If you have a small paint drip, simple sanding with 120-grit sandpaper may work to remove it.

However, if you need to get rid of a large paint spill, manually sanding it will be a nightmare.

If we’re talking about a concrete slab or floors, you can rent a Floor maintainer with a sanding disk (36-grit) to do the job. Again, Home Depot often rents them out.

METHOD 11 – LYE or SIMPLE GREEN

Lye is sodium hydroxide, the active ingredient in oven cleaners. But by itself, it is more concentrated and powerful and can remove any spray paint marks from your concrete surface.

As it is an active chemical, you need to be very careful, use gloves, and goggles, and cover your arms and legs in case it can get to your skin.

If you’re too sensitive to it, a DIY method to dilute it is to use vinegar. That way, the mix will still be powerful but less corrosive. 

Once the paint stain is gone, wash the concrete multiple times to make sure all lye residue is removed.

A safer alternative to Lye would be the industrial Simple green – it’s not caustic, solvent-free, and safe to use.

Simple green is not only a cleaning product but also a degreaser, so it will work well for water- and oil-based paint stains. 

METHOD 12 – CONCRETE BLEACH

Almost any hardware store will have a special concrete bleach among other cleaning products.

It is not as strong but can help lift the dry paint before scrubbing or power washing.

METHOD 13 – RENT A POWERWASH

If you are facing large spray paint stains on a concrete slab or your driveway, a pressure washer may be a thing to consider.

The good news is, that you don’t have to buy one. Lowes and Home Depot have equipment rentals with powerwashers available from $50 a day depending on the model.

Use the narrow nozzle to remove stubborn paint drips and wash the surface with water and detergent afterward. 

METHOD 14 – RENT A SANDBLASTER

I would say if nothing else works, a sandblaster can be your last resort.

It is super powerful but also quite “dangerous” as it can not only remove the paint but damage the concrete. 

You don’t have to buy it, you can rent, but not all rentals have them. The price will be higher than for powerwash rental.

METHOD 15 – HIRE PROFESSIONALS

If nothing on this list worked, or worse, your attempts to clean off some paint resulted in more damage, I think it is time to admit that we need professional help.

The price will, of course, depend on the scope, but it can be still cheaper than buying a good power washer.

AFTERMATH: PROTECT THE CONCRETE

No matter what method you go with, once the stain is gone, wash the concrete surface with detergent, and then rinse again with just water.

Do so until there is no cleaning product, detergent, paint, or whatever else residue is left.

If your concrete will be exposed, you can use an acrylic sealer or a protective coating to make sure no more paint drips can ruin it. 

You may also like: How to Clean Artificial Grass

IN SUMMARY

There are multiple ways of removing unwanted spray paint from concrete and you may not need to hire a professional team or invest in an expensive pressure washer.

Start with simple household items and test if they clean off the paint for good. 

In some cases, a baking soda solution, nail polish remover, or oven cleaner may be enough to remove a light paint stain. Or, a simple wash with a pressure washer may be worth a shot before you move on to harsh chemicals.

In any way, one of these proven methods will make sure you don’t have to worry about paint stains anymore.