Hello all, I am in the process of preparing a basement concrete floor for porcelain tile. However, all resources have told me the paint on the floor must be removed first… The paint appears to be a latex base. I have tried the brush on variety of paint removers for both oil based and water based paints without much success. I have looked into tool rentals but they only have the 17″ “sander” style and the pads may gum up. I have considered a grinder… The area in question is about 6 feet by 6 feet square.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Pete
Replies
Sand blaster.
I'm doubting the paint needs to come up. Is it loose?
If it must be removed, and you can tolerate some water down there, consider a pressure washer as probably the easiest method (and no dust).
Another option would be to cover the whole floor with something like Dri-core first (http://www.dricore.com/). As a bonus, you would be less likely to get condensation on the tile surface in the summer, which is a big problem is basements.
Thank you for responding to my query. No the paint is not coming up, on the contrary. It is really holding on. I spoke with three different tile businesses and they all said the same thing... the paint needs to come up so the mortar will bond with the concrete floor.
Now I did spread a self leveling product over the bathroom floor which had mastik all over it and it would not come up either. Think I might be able to use the same product over the paint?? Let me know what you think. I will have to look up the product name again and talk with the company.
Thank you csnow.
Pete
I think tile adhesive will bond to the painted floor if the paint is sound. With a floor, gravity is on your side anyways. Just MHO.
If you have doubts, you could scratch up the surface with a grider for better adhesion.
Thank you csnow. I am going to try the grinder. One of the guys at the local tool rental store suggested this as well. Keep your fingers crossed.
Thank you again for the assist.
Pete
when i did my brother's kitchen i poured self levelling latex over the paint on the floor.
in 2 days its cracked and came unstuck.
i had to get all the paint off with brick cleaner ( acid of some description) and then prime the floor with neat PVA to glue the leveling compound down.
it set like rock.
Mechanical removal is the preferred method. Commercial jobs would employ a shot blasting floor abrader. Since your area is so small, you could go with less expensive but more labor intensive methods.
Sandblasting or very high pressure pressure washer would work. But a regular wooden floor belt sander would probably be the best. Your belt(s) wouldn't have to last long. A wire brush in an electric drill may work too if you have a lot more time than money.
Pete,
Before you do anything, have you determined if any of the paint is lead based. (There may be lead under the Latex) A good paint store usually sells a lead detection kit for about 8 bucks. Follow the instructions on the package closely. If you test positive for lead, then be real careful with any process that creates lead dust.
Alma Consulting ltd.
One word: Propane torch. Well, maybe two words.
When you go to th rental store, check for a floor grinder with a flat diamond wheel. These are a cupped center and mounted usually to a 6" grinder setup with the dry wheel. The take off anything, including powderdriven nail studs! Some have dust shrouds (read a lot of dust) and a shopvac hooks up easy.
get a can of goof off. SOld in the cleaning section of a paint store. Sprinkle it on the paint, if the paint loosens, you can use tolulene or xylene. Wear a mask and ventiliate.
Mechanical would be the best method, acid etch when youre done.