I have a concrete stem wall and carport that has overspray of an old paint (latex) that I have tried to sandblast off with 20/40 sand at 100 psi through a $12 sandblaster gun bought at Home Depot. It is not going very well, and my 2 HP compressor is cycling way to much, and getting way too hot. Should I get a better sandblaster, or is there better way to strip paint off of concrete? Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Replies
Seems to me that sandblasting would be the best way but have you thought of trying "Goof Off" Graffiti remover? I can't tell you if it works well though.
FWIW, the active ingredient in "Goof Off' .... which removes dry latex paint quite well ..... is called Xylene (or Xylol. It is available at the hardware store for a fraction of the cost of "Goof Off."
A few notes about Xylene:
It had a strong odor that some folks don't like. Have plenty of ventilation.
It is a very good adhesive remover as well.
I does not dissolve in water. It does dissolve in alcohol. So, rinsing it off is a two step process; first with alcohol, then with water.
While not particularly hazardous, a drop in the eye will be extremely annoying. Your eye will feel 'dried out.' This sensation will go away with time, and is generally harmless. Wearing glasses, or goggles, is a very good idea. Xylene can also have a strong 'drying' effect on hands.
As for sandblasting: a major cause of poor performance is either using the 'wrong' sand, or re-using sand. The sand needs to be fairly coarse, and have many sharp edges to it's structure. That white quartz sand - once common in public ashtrays - is a good sand to use.
Xylene? I remember using that stuff in school. I recall that it was carcinogenic.
Did you mix up a bottle of Goof Off with Visine one day?
Ahh ..... another doubter. FWIW, I have not personally had the experience. I have, though, witnessed it several times. I suppose, for the general welfare, I ought to explain: Many normal activities, such as scrubbing, can disperse tiny droplets into the air. These almost invisible drops - one is enough - will definitely have your full attention if it gets in your eye. As for being a carcinogen, I don't know. It seems most everything is a carcinogen these days. Heck, the MSDS for ordinary table salt would make you think you were handling nerve gas!
Best I can tell, "Goof Off" is nothing more than xylene that has been deodorized. It does not appear diluted, or to have other solvents present.
Indeed we should all take care when using solvents - ear protection always.
wet the paint with MEK or any thinner/ softner then use a very good pressurewasher ... the pressurewasher might enough by itself...
latex being rubber like kinda laughs at a small sandblaser....
something in the 200cfm range would work :) i used a 750cfm compressor and a 600lb hopper to get up to 10 coats/layers off of a brick building took 30 min to fill the hooper from a dump truck bed and less than 15 min to empty it... but i could blast from 8-10 ft away...
p
Listen to pony tail, thats the deal there.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
around here you can get a mobile sandblaster to come in for about 85 a hour.this would not take a hour at all maybe 20 mins. larry
why pay someone to screw it up,i can do it for free....