Propane torch to remove old paint?

I had someone from the local Village Inn call for an estimate the other day. They have about 500 LF of yellow curb and 25 stop blocks along with the striping. The problem is the yellow curb and stop blocks have about 900 coats of paint on them that is flaking off by the hand full. What would the best way be to remove the old paint be? My partner sugguested buying a propane torch, heat it up and it would come right off! I told him I better ask the pros. Your thoughts, Dan

4000psi pressure washer, rotary nozzle...

ditto on the pressure washer with rotary nozzle!

Too much heat on concrete will couse it to break, better to go with pressure washing or sand blasting.

not to hijack thread and jump in with another question, but with a pressure washer is the process slow? or fairly easily to remove? i know it proably depends on amt on curb, but curious because i have had some inquiries about this from customers and i always sway from removing old paint and i dont do curbs but every blue moon or so, and i will just lightly scrape/knock loose off and paint over and no complaints so far, but sooner or later i know someone is going to want it gone totally....i sealcoat and dont stripe full time so reason for not being totally sure....thanks

straightline wrote on Sep 2, 2006:Go to #4

Too much heat on concrete will couse it to break, better to go with pressure washing or sand blasting.

Agreed, concrete will pop like popcorn at the slightest brush of a torch....

All depends on the paint,and the pressure of the water.

Thanks, I'm glad I asked. And to think I was on my way to buy a propane torch! Dan

gotstripes, hot water pressure washer works well also better wear some safety glasses and maybe a paint spray sock and try to get all paint chips up, kids come by and pick up pieces and chew on them...

My god, do not use a tourch. Pressure washing all the way. Buy some of the big yellow construction boots. Unless you like wet shoes.

Don't forget the body condom.

Just explain, that it would be cheaper and smarter, to replace the wheel stops with new ones and NOT PAINT THEM EVER AGAIN. As in no future maintenance costs. I don't know why people insist on painting curbs and wheel stops. Clumsy/blind/old people still trip over them, whether they're painted or not.

dbarnettt wrote on Sep 3, 2006:Go to #12

I don't know why people insist on painting curbs and wheel stops. Clumsy/blind/old people still trip over them, whether they're painted or not.

When they have to go to court, being able to say that it is a contrasting color helps in the defence.

Howdy, I started with a pressure washing company. I do striping and cleaning. I use a 4000 or the 5000 psi heated water pressure washer with a turbo rotary tip. The tips or nozzles run about 175 to 200 bucks. You can buy those most places but I use American Cleaning Systems in Grandbury, Tx. Joe Townsend [phone removed]. Heated water is very important. The combination will do wonders but it does take time. We paint McDonalds and find that the previous painters used tape and not stencils, so we must strip up the old stuff to make it look professional. If you have any questions I can assist you with call me [phone removed] Paul