[bigfishcatcher3]

This summer my goals are this front porch and new flower beds to spruce up the front of my house. There appears to be at least two layers of white paint on the concrete. I have been trying to remove it with a paint stripper gel called CitriStrip. I apply is with a brush, let it sit for roughly an hour and then hit it with my 3300 psi power washer. It is making a slow difference. I have done 2 coats on the vertical walls and in front of the front door. I think i will try a wire wheel on my grinder but I am looking for any help from you guys.

Any ideas how to proceed and make this look decent? Originally I was wanting to get back to original concrete color. I really don't want to paint it white. Is there a good skim coat product out there?

 

[bigfishcatcher3]

Before I started. Hopefully picture shows

 

[bigfishcatcher3]

After 2 rounds of paint stripper and power washing.

 

[de-nagorg]

Whoever painted that is a fool, painted concrete and water makes a skating rink.

A wire brush on a grinder, drill, or even a floor buffer, will remove the remainder.

Then you decide on the concrete's condition, before deciding on a treatment.

There are stain products to add color, or leave it as is.


ED

 

[Old Thomas]

If you can get your hands on a soda blaster it will make that paint go away and leave the concrete looking good.

 

[67IreneRoad]

If you have a small grinder, you can get a 4-1/2" diamond cup for about $40.00 Found them at HD rental area. I bought mine for removing epoxy paint from my pool before repainting. THey actually plane concrete, so if you have some rough areas, you will find it works quite well

 

[Nealtw]

soda blaster

 

[mark sr]

I'm not all that fond of the citrus based strippers, a more caustic stripper works better/quicker.


If you are unable to get it clean enough to leave it bare I'd suggest using a solid concrete stain [any color]

 

[bigfishcatcher3]

Couldnt come up with a soda blaster but we will see how this goes. Thanks for input so far guys.

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[de-nagorg]

With that diamond wheel, use a trickle of water to keep the dust down, and use a mask to save your lungs from silicosis.

And gentle pressure, and keep moving that thing will make a divot in a blink of your eye.


ED

 

[bigfishcatcher3]

It worked pretty darn good. Had the N95 mask on under a paintball mask. Only thing I had on hand that would fog immediately.

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[bigfishcatcher3]

Great advice De-nagory and appreciate the other helpful tips guys. Think I'm gonna look into some stains now. Probably just do the flat and the little overhang. Will stain make this super slick in the winter? Is there a stain someone recommends? Why is stain better than paint? Guess I will start searching thru the forums.

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[bigfishcatcher3]

67Irene was spot on with the diamond cup wheel. It did the work. Tried the wire brush and it mostly smeared it almost. Anyone looking to do this. Buy the diamond cup and go easy she cuts in pretty good.

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[de-nagorg]

Stain is a penetrant that gets into the concrete, whereas Paint is a surface covering.

That is the main difference between them.

And it should not be slick in winter, but do spread the icemelt sparingly, your porch will last longer.


ED

 

[mark sr]

I've always been partial to H&C concrete stain. Stained concrete may be slightly slicker than uncoated concrete - mainly because water won't be absorbed.


Good looking job!!!

 

[stadry]

funny but we've never been partial to c&c conc stains as they're, impo, just thinn'd out paint,,, h & c, owned by sher-wms, is introducing a line called ' infusion ' nut no experience w/it as of yet,,, whatever you use, be sure to apply a uv-resistant sealer on top - solvent-bas'd is MUCH better than wtr-bas'd,,, add shark's grip ( sher-wms - no $$ interest ) for better traction,,, remember, ALL color fades !

next time you dia grind conc, do it on a windy day & use a turbo cup wheel rather than what you used ( concentric diamond segments ),,, turbo's are faster because the position of the segments will throw out the dust/swarf rather than trap it inside the wheel's outer rim

http://www.kemikostainforconcrete.com/ - no $$ interest

my bona fides ? this is our work & we make a good living from it,,, painters do try to take this work & i can't blame them for trying to increase their sales on top of just painting,,, after all, any time 1 can offer more services to clients, the vendor becomes more valuable to the client,,, unfortunately, most painters just look at the shelves in sher-wms & think they're now artisans

 

[mark sr]

never been partial to c&c conc stains as they're, impo, just thinn'd out paint

While I've not used H&C stains in a while [retired] I would not consider it anything like paint. I've not used their latex version but their solvent based stain [which can only be applied over itself] will 'melt' the previous coated creating a good bond.

 

[stadry]

true concrete stains are acid-base & 'color' concrete by chemically changing conc's 'free lime' content w/their contained mineral salts,,, not all lime in cement is employed when conc's mixed.
solvent stains are chemically paint & all react in a generic manner,,, clear solvent-based sealers obviously don't have color pigment,,, if 1 needs to color a solvent OR wtr-bas'd sealer, ask any pro paint (our go-to is sher-wms) for the appropriate pigment in a can,,, they'll look at you funny but we just finished 10K sf of conc dia grinding w/wtr-bas'd sealer,,, h&c couldn't supply what client wanted so we used typ wtr'bas'd sealer & tinted w/latex paint,,, client was thrilled & local sher-wms + h&c techies were surprised,,, naturally there's no guaranteed warranty & there will be wear patterns as wtr-bas'd sucks compared to solvent-bas'd,,, however, the facility is 24-7-365 usda operation

 

[stadry]

finally, stained conc's no more slippery than regular conc IF you use a true 'acid stain'

i saw all the suggestions for prep - soda blast ? that's a joke for such a little job,,, yes, its a great process,,, so is wet glass bead blasting,,, sandblasting w/wtr-fogging nozzle's terrific, too ( 'cept in the hands of the ignorant, 1 can damage the conc ),,, there are even citrus strippers & walk-behind diamond grinders.

YOU picked the right method so hooray for you ! :vs_clap:

 

[lug-nuts]

To add to the post, if you stain you will want to seal it. The sealer will make it slick when wet. However, you can put a non slip additive in the sealer and make the surface slip resistant. I use one called sharkgrip for exterior sealed surfaces where slipping is a concern.