9 Easy Ways to Remove Acrylic Paint from Concrete Floor?

After the painting project, you may find acrylic paint on the concrete floor. And paint may be cured. You have to remove it. So are you wondering how to remove paint from the concrete floor? 

Removing acrylic or water-based paint is not a very hard task. There a have a lot of easy methods available for removing acrylic paint. You can try scrubbing brush + water, vinegar + dishwasher, paint stripper+ screaper+ passer washer, etc., methods to remove paint. 

In this article, I will explain how you can easily remove paint from concrete floors. 🤗

Table of Contents

• How can you protect concrete while removing paint?
• 9 Methods to remove acrylic paint from concrete floor 
  • #1 Scrubbing brush & water
  • #2 Vinegar + dish waster
  • #3 Nail polish remover
  • #4 Paint thinner & 80 grit sandpaper
  • #5 Paint Stripper
  • #6 Pressure washer + Degreaser Cleaner
  • #7 Cordless drill & wire brush + mineral spirit
  • #8 Drill & weel
  • #9 Buffer
• Remove Acrylic Paint from Concrete Floor FAQ
  • How do you remove stubborn paint from concrete?
  • How do you remove dry water-based paint from concrete?
  • What is the fastest way to remove paint from concrete?
  • Will goo off remove paint from the concrete?
  • Goo off vs Lift off paint remover comparison
  • Will muriatic acid clean paint off concrete?
  • How do you remove paint from concrete without chemicals?
• What is the best way to remove acrylic paint from the concrete floor?

How can you protect concrete while removing paint?

We are always careless about concrete protection. Because it is very solid and durable, and it is true. But it can dissolve concrete when we apply different chemicals such as paint stripper, denatured alcohol, ammonia etc.

Of course, you can apply these chemicals, and concrete can handle the reaction easily. But the chemical should not stay permanent. After completing the project, properly clean the chemical from the concrete. 

9 Methods to remove acrylic paint from concrete floor

There are a lot of options for removing acrylic paint from concrete 😉. However, I will describe nine methods. All are easy, effective and tested. 

Following the methods, you can remove different types of paint with acrylic like emerald paint, spray paint etc.

1. Scrubbing brush & water: primary method trying for.
2. Vinegar + dish waster: Home Remedy
3. Nail polish remover: go for some strong chemical. 
4. Paint thinner with 80 grit sandpaper: best method for none cure paint 
5. Paint Stripper: very effective and long-time method to remove acrylic paint.
6. Pressure washer + Degreaser Cleaner: good combo
7. Cordless drill with wire brush + mineral spirit: good combo 
8. Drill & wheel: Final and heavy method.
9. Buffer: To remove paint big area

#1 Scrubbing brush & water

If the paint does not cure properly, this method can easily clean the paint from the floor. Water dissolves the paint on the floor, and a scrubbing brush will loosen the paint. Then you can apply water on the concrete to wash off the paint.

You do not need any skill to apply the method. 

Instead of water, you can apply soapy water. It will take your task next level.

What do you need for this cleaning project?

A scrubbing brush and water is enough for this. You can use this brush. I personally recommend this for concrete cleaning projects.

You can watch the video tutorial understanding the method 📷

#2 Vinegar + dish waster

You can try this method if your paint is dried and cured properly. Vinegar is an acidic product. It can dissolve dried paint. And the dishwasher is used as a scraper.

What do you need?

• Vinegar
• Dishwasher/scrubbing brush 
• Clean rug

How to apply this method?

Step 1: Apply vinegar on the dried paint.

Step 2: Give it a minimum of 10 minutes to dissolve.

Step 3: take a dishwasher and rub it on the paint.

Step 4: After removing paint from the concrete floor, use a rug for cleaning. You also can apply water to clean the paint.

This is the tutorial video. You can follow.

#3 Nail polish remover

Nail polish remover is built with acetone chemicals. It has a strong ability to dissolve dried acrylic paint. With proper application, you can dissolve paint easily from concrete.

What do you need?

• Nail polish remover (100% acetone)
• Scrubbing brush/ dishwasher/ 80 grit sandpaper 

How to apply nail polish remover?

Step 1: To dissolve, apply nail polish remover on the dried paint

Step 2: wait 10-30 minutes

Step 3: take a scrubbing brush, dishwasher, or sandpaper and scrap the paint.

Step 4: After removing the paint, you can clean the floor with water or a rug.

Note: nail polish remover can contain harmful chemicals to the skin. So use protection like gloves, mask, and goggles.

#4 Paint thinner & 80 grit sandpaper

Generally, paint thinner is used for oil base paint; however, you can use it to remove acrylic paint from the concrete floor. Thinner has a good ability to dissolve acrylic paint. 

This method will be great if the paint is not properly cured.

What do you need?

• Thinner 
• Rug
• 80 grit sandpaper 

How to apply?

Step 1: Take thinner in a small bucket example, ½ litter tinner in one bucket.

Step 2: Wet a rug with thinner, then apply it to the floor.

Step 3: Give it 10 minutes to dissolve.

Step 4: take 80 grit sandpaper and rub the paint from the surface.

Step 5: After scraping the paint, clean the floor with water.

This is a worthwhile tutorial video. It is a Hindi video, but you can watch it with subtitles. 

#5 Paint Stripper

The paint stripper’s main manufactured reason is to remove paint. It easily dissolves paint without affecting the surface. Paint strippers work great for removing acrylic paint.

What do you need?

• Paint stripper
• Paint brush 
• Scraper
• Passer washer

How to apply paint stripper?

Step 1: To dissolve dried acrylic paint, apply the paint stripper first. Take a wide paint brush and cover the paint with stripper liquid.

Step 2: Allow 1 hour to 24 hours to dissolve the paint properly.

Step 3: After dissolving paint, take a scraper and scrape off paint from the surface. 

Step 4: Take a passer washer and blast water on the paint. 

Step 5: Repeat the blasting water process until removing the paint.

Here is the tutorial video 📸

#6 Pressure washer + Degreaser Cleaner

Degreaser cleaner is mainly used for cleaning outside heavy dirt. You can use it to dissolve acrylic paint. And then, apply a pressure washer to clean the paint.

What do you need?

• Pressure washer
• Heavy duty degreaser cleaner
• Scrubbing brush

How to apply this method?

Step 1: First wet the area with water.

Step 2: Spray degreaser to the paint area.

Step 3: Give it 10 minutes to dissolve.

Step 4: take a scrubbing brush and rub the paint.

Step 5: Use a pressure washer and blast water on the paint after brushing. The water pressure will remove the paint.

#7 Cordless drill & wire brush + mineral spirit

Following the proper method with a drill & wire brush, you can remove very hard cured paint from the concrete floor. But you need some skills in operating a drill.

What do you need?

• Mineral spirits
• Drill
• Drill wire brush attachment (3-inch length attachment)
• Rug
• Safety first glaves, goggles, mask

How to apply the method?

Step 1: Apply mineral spirits on paint for dissolution.

Step 2: Wait 10 minutes for dissolution.

Step 3:  Wear the wire brush attachment with the drill and apply it on the paint.

Step 4: Run the drill and apply it on the paint. No dried paint can not survive with the drill. 🙂

Step 5. After the drill, wet a rag with mineral spirits and clean the paint from the concrete.

Here is the tutorial video. It should help you.

#8 Drill & weel

If you think your paint has cured pretty heavily, then you should try this method as a final step. Drill & diamond cut wheel combo break down the paint layer above the concrete. You need skills in operating drills. And the project will be very dusty.

You need

• A drill
• Diamond cut wheel.
• Safety gear must (gloves, goggles, mask)

How to apply this method

Step 1: Ware the attachment to the drill.

Step 2: Apply it properly to the concrete top layer.

Here is the video which explains it properly. 

#9 Buffer

For bigger area paint cleaning, a buffer is a great option. Buffers provide automated sanding with a very smooth finish. It has a grit pad, where you can attach giant round sandpaper. 

Be sure to use good musk (not a surgical mask) and goggles while operating the drill. 

This tutorial video gives you an idea of how it works.

Remove Acrylic Paint from Concrete Floor FAQ

How do you remove stubborn paint from concrete?

Remove stubborn paint from concrete very easy. 

1. First, apply water on the stubborn paint  
2. Take a scrubbing brush and rub the paint with it. 
3. Finally, wash the rub paint with water. 

How do you remove dry water-based paint from concrete?

You need extra effort to remove dried paint. First, you need to soften the dry paint. You can use different solvents like vinegar, paint thinner, stripper etc. Then take a scrubbing brush or sandpaper or scraper for scraping. The final step is to use water to clean the paint. 

What is the fastest way to remove paint from concrete?

For stubborn paint, water and scrubbing brush technic is the fastest way to remove paint, if paint cured drill with wire brush combo is fastest. And if the removing paint area is big, a buffer is the fastest way to remove paint from concrete.

Will goo off remove paint from the concrete?

Goo off is not much good for removing dried acrylic paint. It can not properly dissolve old dried acrylic paint. Instead of Goo off, you should use Lift off paint remover.

Goo off vs Lift off paint remover comparison

Will muriatic acid clean paint off concrete?

Muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid has a strong ability to clean paint from concrete. However, it is a toxic chemical. Bad idea for skin and clothes. If you want to work with this chemical, ensure proper ventilation and self-protection.

How do you remove paint from concrete without chemicals?

There are a lot of options for removing paint from concrete without chemicals. You can use a scrubbing brush & water combo, power washer, sanding the paint, drill & diamond cut wheel etc.

What is the best way to remove acrylic paint from the concrete floor?

If you are a completly beginner, you should start with water and scrubbing brush combo. You can try vinegar as a paint solvent for dried paint, then scrape it off with a scrubbing brush or dishwasher. A paint stripper is also the best option for beginners.

A drill + wire brush attachment will be an effective option if you know how to operate a drill. 

However, all are unique and tested methods which I already described. You can try those if you think any of them are suitable for you. 

Don’t forget self-protection while applying the methods. Some materials can be harmful to your health.

Do you find out everything you want to know about removing acrylic paint from the concrete floor? If so, please share your thoughts in the comment section. Also, share the article with your friends and family who could benefit from this information.