Built in 1939
How do I get rid of three layers of paint on cement??
I have a home that was built in 1939. When I bought the place 15 years ago, the porch floor was painted white. I found it charming. Now... not so much. As it peels, it is revealing a layer of green and another layer of brown underneath the white before you get to the cement.
How do I go about removing these multi layers without sand blasting them all over mine and my neighbors properties?
Multiple layers of paint on cement.
Has eroded over time, but do I paint over it, or remove it? If Iremove it, how do I go about it?
Have you tried a pressure washer? That should get rid of the loose, flakey paint so that you can paint it with a good paint for cement. I always liked the white cement porches, I remember my grandmother had hers that way and made it look so nice and fresh compared to the standard gray.
Hi Richard, All finishes, especially exterior ones, require maintenance from time to time. Looks like the majority of the deterioration is in areas that get the most water (note the significant loss of paint along the area with the crack).
Power washing might remove a lot of the loose paint but you will need to protect your siding and railing with drop cloths at least. I have removed paint spills from concrete by pretreating the spill with Dow Foaming Bathroom Cleaner then scrubbing with a wire brush. You can probably rent a rotary tool with a wire brush attachment to make things go faster. After all the loose paint is gone, repair all the cracks to prevent moisture from coming up through the cracks.
Use a paint made specifically for concrete. Follow directions to the letter about surface prep. You will probably be told to etch the surface with an acid for optimal adhesion. You can start to clean up and repair your porch now, but August is probably not the best time to paint. Not only is it too hot for you, but if the surface of the paint dries too fast, it will not dry as fast underneath. You might be tempted to walk on it before it is fully cured - several days at least.
Pressure wash it. I got dried paint off my sidewalk that had been there for years. Plus when I was done the cement looked better then it had in years.