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Primer Overspray on Basement Concrete Floor - Want to Stain

Q. We want to stain our basement floor with a dark stain. However, there is a LARGE amount of primer overspray around the perimeter of the basement. What can we use to clean it off with that won't impact the future application of stain? We've tried scrubbing with soap and water.

A. Because you plan to stain the floor, you need to remove the paint with chemical strippers versus grinding or sanding it off. There are stripping agents that come in a gel form. Spread it on the floor, let it soften the paint, and then scrape it up. Do small areas at a time so the stripper doesn't dry up. You can put plastic sheeting on it to allow more time for it to loosen the the paint. Make sure to wash the floor thoroughly with soap and water before staining.