Terms of UseHow to Remove Epoxy Paint from Concrete Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin
Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References
X
This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 122,670 times.
Epoxy paint is tough, bonds aggressively and is meant to be permanent; this makes it difficult to remove from a porous surface like concrete. However several good methods exist to get this very tough paint off of concrete surfaces.
Steps
1 There are two basic methods available: mechanical removal (which consists of sandblasting or floor disk sanding), and chemical peels. The various types of equipment required for mechanical removal is usually quicker, more expensive, messier and more dangerous - closer to an industrial process and usually beyond the means of most readers. For the rest of us, chemical peels are the method of choice.[1]XResearch source
2 Your choice of stripper can vary a lot depending on where you live. Most places will carry MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) strippers and these will work well on epoxy, but they have serious issues.[2]XResearch source They have heavy fumes, they are toxic and they are very flammable. MEK is the old standard and you may not have another choice in strippers.[3]XResearch source Nevertheless, there are eco-friendly alternatives that are both low in odor and toxicity out there. A few of them include Gp 2000 Coatings Remover, DoradoStrip, and Soy-Gel Paint and Urethane Remover. These are still aggressive strippers, so follow all directions on the can and use due care. Most of these are flammable or can do serious eye damage in seconds. Wear your safety glasses! Advertisement
3 Clear the surface off and wash it. Open windows or doors, because most strippers generate strong or flammable vapors and once you start getting goop on your hands you won't want to touch a door to get in or out of the area. A fan may be very helpful but keep it well away from the work area and be sure you have blocked access to the area you are working on.[4]XResearch source
4 Most strippers have coverage rules and significant soak times that are required to cut through the paint bond. Read the label and follow it. Don't be stingy or rush this time. You will just add hours to your work time as you scrape harder and far more than you should at the stubborn paint. Use a push broom if you need to spread the stripper by hand on the surface. If it needs to be sprayed on the surface a hand-pumped sprayer is usually a good choice, but consider the sprayer disposable. Strippers are chemically aggressive by design and so are hard on equipment.[5]XResearch source
5 Work in small areas and work towards one side of the surface. You want to generate the cleanest possible surface as you go and drive your (very sticky and saturated) scrapings to one area to control the mess. Don't be stingy with your stripper or once again, you will find yourself working a lot harder. Remember to clean off the stripper in your finished areas as you go and anytime you plan to take a break. If you don't rinse the stripper off the floor thoroughly, it may interact with glue you later use for tile or carpet backing.
6 Give the stripped area plenty of ventilation for several days. Concrete is very porous and will likely release vapors from the stripper that it absorbed while you were working. Congratulations! Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question Can you remove dried paint from concrete? Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Expert Answer If we're talking about regular paint here, sure! The best way to remove paint from concrete is with a pressure washer if you have one. You can also use a wire brush and latex paint remover, and rinse clean. A stained or stamped concrete should be pressure washed or cleaned with latex paint remover and a cloth, since a wire brush would damage the finish. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question I have a garage floor with worn epoxy coating. I want to resurface with the same type of product. What prep work needs to be done on the existing floor first? Community Answer Prep the surface as good as you can. When laying over old epoxy, you do not want to use epoxy ruining chemicals first, as they will get into the concrete and will later destroy your new epoxy. Is recommended to mechanically scrape to remove the old epoxy before applying the new epoxy. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 13
Question After stripping the epoxy floor a little bit of the epoxy is on the floor, is it okay to primer over it? Community Answer You can, but it is much better to remove and redo it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Concrete will generate sparks on steel tools, so read the label. If the product or its vapors are flammable you will need to purchase non-sparking scrapers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Treat your clothes and tools as potentially disposable. Most strippers are very hard on anything you get them on. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Follow the label directions and be prepared to wait hours or even most of a day for the stripper to work. Epoxy paint is tough. You won't gain anything rushing this process. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
Warnings
Give careful thought to children and pets when stripping any paint. Most strippers are chemically aggressive, are flammable and relatively toxic. Most of them can do irrevocable and life-altering damage in seconds. Keep kids out of the area! Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 1
Wear your protective gear. Be conscious of your hands - strippers will do a number on most surfaces you touch. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
Ventilation is your friend. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 4
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
Electric fans and open windows to help keep fumes down
Clothes you won't mind throwing away
Rubber gloves
Safety glasses
Knee pads
Stout but disposable push broom
Dustpan or shovel
Bucket
Solvent-resistant/non-sparking hand scrapers
Long-handled scraping tools may be useful
You Might Also Like
How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens)How toMake a Warrior Cat Clan IndoorsHow toPierce an American Girl Doll's Ears Without PayHow toDraw Donald DuckHow toBe a Scene GirlHow toDrill Small Holes in Glass for Jewelry or Wind ChimesHow toPlay Minecraft in Real LifeHow toMake a Waldorf DollHow toBe an Emo Girl in Middle SchoolHow toAct Like a Mermaid at SchoolHow toAct Like FluttershyHow toAct Like a Baby AgainHow toChoose a Guitar Amplifier for Rock MusicHow to Play wikiHow to Meme (wikiHow's Limited Edition Card Game) Advertisement
How to remove glue, epoxy, and paint from concrete floors
About this article
Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 122,670 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 8Updated: September 16, 2021 Views: 122,670
Print
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 122,670 times.
Reader Success Stories
Lynn Crawford
Oct 9, 2017
"I had no idea how dangerous it could with the sparks. Great information about all of it."
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Click a star to vote Co-authors: 8Updated: September 16, 2021 Views: 122,670
Lynn Crawford
Oct 9, 2017
"I had no idea how dangerous it could with the sparks. Great information about all of it."
You Might Also Like
How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens)How toMake a Warrior Cat Clan IndoorsHow toPierce an American Girl Doll's Ears Without PayHow toDraw Donald Duck wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 122,670 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 8 Updated: September 16, 2021 Views: 122,670 
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 
412 
1 There are two basic methods available: mechanical removal (which consists of sandblasting or floor disk sanding), and chemical peels. The various types of equipment required for mechanical removal is usually quicker, more expensive, messier and more dangerous - closer to an industrial process and usually beyond the means of most readers. For the rest of us, chemical peels are the method of choice.[1] 
2 Your choice of stripper can vary a lot depending on where you live. Most places will carry MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) strippers and these will work well on epoxy, but they have serious issues.[2] They have heavy fumes, they are toxic and they are very flammable. MEK is the old standard and you may not have another choice in strippers.[3] Nevertheless, there are eco-friendly alternatives that are both low in odor and toxicity out there. A few of them include Gp 2000 Coatings Remover, DoradoStrip, and Soy-Gel Paint and Urethane Remover. These are still aggressive strippers, so follow all directions on the can and use due care. Most of these are flammable or can do serious eye damage in seconds. Wear your safety glasses! Advertisement 
3 Clear the surface off and wash it. Open windows or doors, because most strippers generate strong or flammable vapors and once you start getting goop on your hands you won't want to touch a door to get in or out of the area. A fan may be very helpful but keep it well away from the work area and be sure you have blocked access to the area you are working on.[4] 
4 Most strippers have coverage rules and significant soak times that are required to cut through the paint bond. Read the label and follow it. Don't be stingy or rush this time. You will just add hours to your work time as you scrape harder and far more than you should at the stubborn paint. Use a push broom if you need to spread the stripper by hand on the surface. If it needs to be sprayed on the surface a hand-pumped sprayer is usually a good choice, but consider the sprayer disposable. Strippers are chemically aggressive by design and so are hard on equipment.[5] 
5 Work in small areas and work towards one side of the surface. You want to generate the cleanest possible surface as you go and drive your (very sticky and saturated) scrapings to one area to control the mess. Don't be stingy with your stripper or once again, you will find yourself working a lot harder. Remember to clean off the stripper in your finished areas as you go and anytime you plan to take a break. If you don't rinse the stripper off the floor thoroughly, it may interact with glue you later use for tile or carpet backing. 
6 Give the stripped area plenty of ventilation for several days. Concrete is very porous and will likely release vapors from the stripper that it absorbed while you were working. Congratulations! Advertisement 
Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. 
Community Answer Prep the surface as good as you can. When laying over old epoxy, you do not want to use epoxy ruining chemicals first, as they will get into the concrete and will later destroy your new epoxy. Is recommended to mechanically scrape to remove the old epoxy before applying the new epoxy. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 13 
Community Answer You can, but it is much better to remove and redo it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1 