How do I remove old chipped paint from concrete statues so I can re-paint them?

alot of time and patience...try using a pressure washerHow do I remove old chipped paint from concrete statues so I can re-paint them?
Some concrete statuary may be painted and, like any coating, paint will eventually begin to peel or flake off. If your client wants the paint removed you can use an actual paint remover. Read the label on the removal product to determine if it is suitable for concrete. If your have commercial clients, you may sometimes need to remove graffiti. You may also use paint remover for this task. There are specific products on the market that tout their ability to remove graffiti; research these carefully before investing in them. If you use a paint remover in only one area of the statue, it may result in discrepancies in the color and texture. You can feather these away from the area to make it less apparent or you can use a milder chemical to wash over the entire piece. This must be done after all traces of the paint remover are gone to avoid a negative chemical reaction. Wash over the entire piece with a mixture of one part muriatic acid to five parts water.





You can also use some standard household cleaners like Simple Green with great success to brighten an aging finish. Apply these with a scrub brush and work in the solution. Vigorous scrubbing may be necessary to really get the piece clean.





The most aggressive cleaning method of soiled cast stone statuary would include the use of muriatic acid. This method is not recommended for very old concrete or concrete where 80 percent of the surface area already shows the aggregate which was used. Acid will remove grease, oils, rubber scuff marks and other non-paint contaminates. It will also remove the very top layer of cement slurry on a concrete statue, which in most cases, will add to the beauty of a piece by making it look aged. Take precautions when using muriatic acid due to the strength of the chemical. Use rubber gloves, safety glasses and a respirator to protect yourself from the acid. For a basic cleaning, use a mixture of one part muriatic acid to five parts water. If there are particularly stubborn areas, the mixture can be made stronger by adding less water. Brush the acid onto the statue and, in the extremely soiled areas, use a bristle scrub brush to work in the acid. Allow the acid to sit on the piece for no more than 10 minutes and then remove the acid with water. Continue until the piece is clean and uniform in texture.How do I remove old chipped paint from concrete statues so I can re-paint them?
With your finger nails or a knife. If you want to save alot more time paint some primer on it to smooth all the surfaces, let that dry, Then paint it.
sandblasting. You may be able to find someone in your area who does that. Doing it by hand can be very time consuming.
soft wire Brush
There is a paste called Peel Away.http://www.castlewholesalers.com/PEEL-AW鈥?/a>





It's worked great on every project I've ever worked on.
theres something on the market that might save you some time. lot are saying its very useful without the fumes or burning feel on a lot of the stuff