Removing 30 years of built

A potential big client is looking to get old paint removed and starting over fresh. This is a 30 year old distribution center. Each trailer bay is numbered (18" 001-750) with a 4.5'x3.5' background. The build-up is every bit of 1/2" thick now and is chipping off down to the concrete in random places. This was restriped 4 months ago with chlorinated rubber and the numbers are barely legible. I have exactly ZERO experience in removing lines/stencils. Can paint build-up this thick be removed by powerwashing? Or do I need to look into renting a scarifier?

kdub2112 wrote on Nov 12, 2014:Go to #1

A potential big client is looking to get old paint removed and starting over fresh. This is a 30 year old distribution center. Each trailer bay is numbered (18" 001-750) with a 4.5'x3.5' background. The build-up is every bit of 1/2" thick now and is chipping off down to the concrete in random places. This was restriped 4 months ago with chlorinated rubber and the numbers are barely legible. I have exactly ZERO experience in removing lines/stencils. Can paint build-up this thick be removed by powerwashing? Or do I need to look into renting a scarifier?

Rent? Here's your chance to buy one look on e-bay I bought an almost brand new smith this year for $1200 it was the entry model

You can get 80% off with a turbo nozzle and at least 3000 psi.

id go with a grinder, the paint should come right off with it and not leave to much of a scar.

I wouldn't even attempt washing it, scarifying would be much quicker.

Pressure washing it, You have to deal with the waste water. Grinding it only requires a broom and shovel for cleanup.

Just remember to include cleanup in your bid. Even having a sweeper come if is going to be expensive. I do love those types of jobs, because they scare most people away. You might look to sub contract the removal portion to someone who has one of those truck mounted removal pressure washer setups. Those guys can remove striping quick, and it vacuums the waste.

kdub, the scarifier will probably be the best way. 1/2" thick paint should break up pretty well with the scarifier and get you to a surface suitable for repainting a background. You will have a real mess to clean up with that much paint build up. I have had mixed results removing paint with a pressure washer. Sometimes it works out great. Other times not so much. My 4000 psi washer is much more effective that the 3100 psi. Also, a higher flow rate (gpm) is a critical factor. I think you would need at least 4000 or 5000 psi with at least 4.5 to 5 gpm to be efficient and effective. Ken at /// STRIPES \\\ has posted on PLP before to use at least 5000 psi. You would definitely need a turbo nozzle. But, by my experience, you will just have to experiment to see if the equipment you have available will do that particular job. Also, you will need to allow the concrete pavement enough time to dry out before you paint. Asphaltman, The extreme high pressure (40,000 psi +) self-contained water blast trucks that vacuums the water and waste are very effective, but, are also very expensive. In our area the minimum charge to just show up with the equipment is about $5,000.

I wouldn't use any type of standard pressure washer, I think you would be asking for a nightmare just getting it off, let alone the clean up. I agree the blast trucks are pricey, but its a pricey type of job too. Id use the blast truck, throw 15% on him, then stripe away the next day. Job gets done quick, and the customer is happy...IMHO Scarifying would work well, but is going to be time consuming, and messy. I guess Im one to get it done, make money, and move on to the next one.

A while back we had to completely remove 35 miles of stripe in the Dallas Galleria. They were happy and we did it again in a second garage. Give me a pm and I will be glad to tell you what I learned.

I know this thread is a bit old, but I thought that I would let you guys know about the product below, AEROGREEN 4180, for anyone else that runs into this in the future. AEROGREEN 4180 is a paint softener/remover that will actually delaminate the paint from the concrete (or closed grade asphalt). It makes it such that you can use a lower PSI pressure washer (3,000, instead of 4k or 5k). Because it does not dissolve the paint, what will remain after pressure washing will be basically small chips that can be swept up or vacuumed up. Obviously this is much better than dissolving the paint and having an issue where the dissolved paint runs off into the ground. Probably the best thing about it is that 4180 is readily biodegradable and there is plenty of test data to show anyone that may question its use. It is actually Soy based and works on most all paints, even powder coat! Hopefully this helps some of you, especially when on a surface that a grinder/scarifier would certainly leave marks on. http://www.hi-litesolutions.com/images/stories/fullproduc… 4180 Paint & Graffiti Remover AEROGREEN 4180 PAINT REMOVER is a eco-friendly liquid paint remover that replaces the use of Methylene Chloride and other hazardous substances to remove most industrial , water reducible paints and primers including, lacquers, acrylic enamels, solvent based alkyd paints, high & low gloss urethanes, epoxy paints, powder coat paints, inks, adhesives and a variety of other coatings from many types of substrates including steel, cast iron, aluminum, concrete, masonry and plastics.