How to remove paint from slate flooring?
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We have moved into a new-to-us house and the previous owners had painted over the original multi-colored slate foyer with a muddy brown color… I'm not thrilled with the natural multicolored floor either, but the overpainted brown is more hideous than it looks in the photo. How do I get the paint off? (The guy who refinished our hardwood floors looked at it and said, "No clue. Good Luck." Sigh.) HELP!
Painted slate floor.
Original floor underneath paint.
8 answers
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I would simply paint it a color you like better, then use a coordinating color in the grout lines (tape off the slate so it isn't messy looking). Then I would put some sealer on it.
![AvonelleRed]()
AvonelleRed
on Oct 16, 2014
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http://www.happyhandyman.com/ Go here and get some stuff called Soy Gel remover. You can use it over and over again. It doesn't have toxic smell and works our cheaper than other stuff. Read on Johnnie hints about it.
![Wanda.ll]()
Wanda.ll
on Oct 17, 2014
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Somebody help me here..I am about to stumble, but..there is a tool that I believe is called a "Paint Stripper Heat Gun"..looks like a blow dryer, that you can use to heat the paint as you scrape it off. I know what the tool looks like, but am not sure if that is what it is called. You can rent them at Home Depot and try that. If all else fails, then I would paint the floor to look like marble and seal it.
![Therese C]()
Therese C
on Oct 17, 2014
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Thank you all for your good suggestions!
![Hope Swann]()
Hope Swann
on Oct 17, 2014
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There are non-toxic paint strippers (citrus paint stripper) that I have had great success with for removing paint from brick, block and stone. Test it in a small inconspicuous area to see if it works and remember to where gloves and ventilate well. After paint is removed wash well and neutralize the surface with clean cold water and then seal with proper stone or slat sealer
![Mike]()
Mike
on Oct 17, 2014
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Did you try rubbing alcohol? Rubbing alcohol softens the paint and then you could probably just use your fingernail or even a widget and scrape it right off!
![The Garden Frog with C Renee]()
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Oct 17, 2014
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Miss Hope--I spoke to my brother, who is a home builder and inspector, here, in Texas. He said if the floor that was painted over is real slate, there is no way to get it off. He said slate is too porous, and has absorbed the paint. You will have to either live with it, or, paint over it, again. So sorry. However, I am an optimist!! Try 1/2 cup fabric softener to 1 gallon very warm water. Soak towels in it and put them on the floor. Leave the towels for 10-15 minutes, and when you take up the towel, clean the area with magic eraser from Dollar Tree. PLEASE, let me know if you try this, and, if you do, if it works.
![Suzanne Jones]()
Suzanne Jones
on Oct 18, 2014
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Thanks again, everyone. Great suggestions. I have a lot on my plate right now, so probably won't be doing anything for a while, but I will post back with what I did and how it worked when I'm done.
![Hope Swann]()
Hope Swann
on Oct 22, 2014
AvonelleRed
on Oct 16, 2014
Wanda.ll
on Oct 17, 2014
Therese C
on Oct 17, 2014
Mike
on Oct 17, 2014
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