First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Start while the paint is still wet, before it hardens.
- Cover oil-based paint with plastic to keep it from drying while you get ready.
- Keep foot traffic off the area so the paint doesn't spread.
Paint that lands on concrete can sink into the rough surface, so how much comes out depends on the paint's base. Water-based latex lifts with water only while it's still wet, and after six to eight hours it hardens and becomes very difficult to remove. Oil-based paint ignores water entirely, so it needs the thinner its can recommends, tested on a hidden patch first.
Acrylic paint off concrete responds best when you work in small patches so the cleaner doesn't dry before you rinse. Porches, steps and driveways take a stiff brush and plenty of rinse water. If paint still shows on a garage floor after a few rounds, a professional can strip it faster.
Before you start
What concrete, brick & driveways can take
Safe to use3
- Water
- Hot water
- Soaking
Use with care5
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
9 items
What you'll need
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- Washing sodaMakes the hot cleaning mix for the scrub. (opens Amazon)
- Trisodium phosphateAn alternative to washing soda for the same hot mix. Don't use both together. (opens Amazon)
- Stiff, non-metal scrub brushWorks the mix into the paint without the metal bristles that damage mortar. (opens Amazon)
- Rounded spoon or plastic scraperLifts thick paint without gouging the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Bucket, hose or clean waterWets the concrete before the mix and rinses it afterward. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic sheetingCovers oil-based paint to slow drying while you get ready. (opens Amazon)
- Solvent the paint can recommends as a thinnerThins oil-based paint. Use only the one the label names.
- Stiff cardboard or plastic bowl scraperScrapes hardened latex off hard surfaces.
- Paper towels (opens Amazon)
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Scrape up the excess paint
Blot any liquid paint with paper towels or a rag, pressing rather than wiping so it doesn't spread. Scrape thick paint with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center. Stop when only a thin film is left.
Step 2 of 5
Wet the surface with clear water
Soak the area with clear water before you apply anything, so the concrete doesn't absorb the cleaner. Keep it wet while you get the mix ready.
Step 3 of 5
Apply the hot washing soda mix
Mix 5 tablespoons of washing soda into 1 gallon of hot water, or use 1 tablespoon of trisodium phosphate per gallon instead. Brush the hot solution over the wet paint so the whole stain is covered.
Careful. Store the mix and its container out of reach of children.
Step 4 of 5
Scrub with a stiff brush
Work the brush over the wet paint in short strokes until it starts to loosen. Use a stiff, non-metal bristle, and work in small sections so the area stays wet.
Tip. Rinse the brush often so loose paint doesn't go back onto the surface.
Step 5 of 5
Rinse and let it dry
Rinse the whole area with clear water until the runoff runs clear and no paint residue is left behind. Allow it to dry completely before you judge the result.
Tip. If a patch still shows paint once it's dry, scrub that area again with the mix before moving on.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for paint on concrete, brick & driveways
A paint stripper labeled for concrete is the product type to look for, and its label should name the paint it removes. Follow the label's storage and disposal instructions, and keep the container out of reach of children.
Goo Gone Pro-Power Goo & Adhesive Remover
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on concrete, brick & driveways, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Each scrub round should pull more paint into the rinse water, and the spot should blend toward the slab around it. Check once the concrete is fully dry, since damp patches always look darker than they'll end up. If the edges have hardened into a crust that won't soften under the mix, the paint has set, so switch to the set-in methods.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your concrete, brick & driveways
Garage, basement and indoor floors
Indoor floors take the same steps, but you control the area better, so work one section at a time and keep each one wet while you scrub. Keep the runoff moving toward a floor drain or an open door rather than letting it pool.
If the floor has oil-based paint, the mix won't lift it, so turn to the oil-based card. Wait for the floor to dry fully before you walk on it or put anything back.
Driveways, patios, porches and steps
Outdoor slabs get more sun and rain, so avoid working in direct sun, which can dry the mix before it has done its job. Edges, steps and corners hold paint, so give them extra scrubbing time with the brush.
Keep the runoff away from plants, lawns and any pool water. A porch or step that has been painted more than once may need a second pass before it's clean.
Acrylic paint
Check the can for the base. If it says water-based, treat it like latex and start the steps while it's still wet.
If the can doesn't say, test a hidden spot with the hot mix first. Once acrylic has dried, skip ahead to the set-in section, since the fresh-paint steps won't do much.
Latex and water-based paint
Latex is the easiest paint to remove while it's fresh. Sponge it with water and a little mild detergent before you start the steps.
Once latex has dried, the stain may not come out fully, so expect to repeat the scrub and rinse.
Oil-based and specialty paint
Read the can and use the solvent it recommends as a thinner for oil-based paint. Use it only after you've tested it on a hidden spot.
Masonry and marking paints follow the same rule, so read the label before you pick a product. Don't assume a product works just because it's sold for concrete.
Block, foundation and rough walls
Rough block and foundation walls hold paint in their texture, so scrub in small circles and keep the surface wet while you work. Work from the top down so the runoff doesn't carry paint back into areas you've already cleaned.
Mortar joints are easy to damage, so keep the scrubbing even and avoid digging into them. Expect more than one pass on rough texture, and rinse each section before you move on.
Statues, fountains and bird baths
Move small objects to a flat area where the rinse can drain away, so the cleaner doesn't pool in the detail. Empty any fountain or bird bath first, and rinse it well before refilling it.
Use a small stiff brush for carved detail, keeping pressure light so the edges don't chip. Test the mix on a hidden part of the object before you clean the front.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old, dried paint won't lift in one pass of the steps. Once paint has dried, expect it to hold on harder, and plan for more than one round. Peeling, spilled, and oversprayed paint that has dried follows the same route.
For a deep, localized stain, make a poultice from talc, whiting, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth, or clay mixed with the right solvent. Spread it at least 1/8 inch thick over the paint, cover it with plastic for 24 hours, and let it dry before you scrape or brush it off. Repeat as needed.
If it's still there after that, scrape hardened latex with a stiff cardboard or plastic bowl scraper. A product made for paint is a better bet than a homemade mix. Older, built-up stains need stronger methods that carry more risk of damage, so test any stronger step on a hidden spot first.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on paint on concrete, brick & driveways?
Most home remedies were written for fabric or kitchen surfaces, so few of them belong on paint on concrete. Only one of these helps with fresh latex, and the rest don't suit concrete. Pressure washing is a shortcut people reach for, but it isn't needed for this job.
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What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use solvent without ventilation.
Solvents for oil-based paint need good airflow, with no open flame, pilot light or sparks nearby. Open a door or run a fan before you open the can, and keep the area clear of anything that sparks.
Don't mix bleach with ammonia.
Bleach mixed with ammonia makes a toxic gas, so never combine them while you clean. Rinse one cleaner away completely before you start another.
Don't let the washing soda mix dry on the slab
Hot washing soda left to dry on concrete leaves a chalky film and can leave its own mark. Keep the spot wet while you scrub, and rinse it off before the mix cools.
Don't scrub paint with a wire brush
Metal bristles grind into the concrete and can leave small flecks that rust into orange spots. Bristle brushes made of nylon or fiber scrub well and won't mark the slab.
Don't pressure wash the paint at full power
Strong jets can etch the concrete and leave a pale patch where the paint used to be. Use a gentle spray and keep the nozzle well back from the surface.
Don't pry at dried latex with a steel blade
A metal scraper gouges the slab and leaves scratches that collect dirt later. Stiff cardboard or a plastic bowl scraper lifts hardened latex without cutting in.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
A faint shadow of paint remains after drying
Repeat the hot solution and scrub, then rinse and let it dry again. If the shadow is unchanged, move on to a poultice.
The solution dried in streaks
Wet the area again with clear water and scrub the streaks off. Rinse thoroughly before it can dry.
The paint only smears when scrubbed
It is probably oil-based. Stop scrubbing and switch to the thinner recommended on the paint can, after a hidden-spot test.
The paint has dried into a thick skin
Lift what you can with a plastic scraper or stiff cardboard first. Then follow with the hot solution on what remains.
When to call a professional
Call a pro if the slab is old, if a sealer seems to block the cleaner, or if you can't identify the paint. For historic brick or stone trim, a restoration specialist is the safer choice. Tell them which paint went on, how long it sat, and which cleaners were tried.
Questions
What's the difference between concrete paint and concrete stain?
The steps here are for paint, not stain, so check the product label or can to see which one you have. If the label is missing or unclear, test a hidden spot before you start.
How long can paint sit on concrete before it's too hard to remove?
Fresh latex is the easy case, and the steps are built for it. Start right away and keep the area wet while you work, since the stain can become permanent once it dries.
Can I use water on oil-based paint?
No. Oil-based paint isn't water-soluble, so the steps above won't lift it. Switch to the oil-based section for the next step.
Does acetone take paint off concrete?
No, acetone isn't needed; the thinner the can recommends is the one that matters for oil-based paint. Acetone is a solvent, and the one that matters for oil-based paint is the thinner the can recommends, so skip the acetone.
How many PSI should I use to strip paint from concrete?
No PSI setting is needed for these steps, so there's no number to chase. The hot mix and a stiff brush do the work, and the high-pressure option is the one to skip.
Is a pressure washer a good way to lift paint from a driveway?
Only at a gentle setting, and it works best on paint that's still soft. Keep the wand at least 12 inches from the slab and pair the spray with the hot washing soda mix rather than relying on force alone. Heavy force can scar the slab, so a gentle spray is the safer choice.
Why do I need to wet concrete before scrubbing off paint?
Dry concrete draws the washing soda mix and the loosened paint into its surface, so the stain spreads and sinks deeper. Wetting the slab first keeps everything on top where the brush can lift it. Keep the area damp until the final rinse so the mix doesn't dry out and leave a film.
Can I use bleach on concrete with paint on it?
No, bleach isn't the tool for paint on concrete. Use washing soda and a stiff brush, and never mix bleach with ammonia. It's listed for moss, algae and similar growth, and it should never meet ammonia, since the two together release a toxic gas. For paint, stick with the washing soda mix and a stiff brush.
Paint on other materials
Other stains on concrete, brick & driveways
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.