Help stripping old sealer off stamped concrete

[patriot pressure washing 14]

i have a sidewalk that is stamped concrete that has bubbles in the previous sealer. Im looking a way or chemical that will get the old stuff up so i can start from scratch. can anyone help please

[Chappy 138]

Dads easy strip will take it off. Its expensive but you roll it on, or use an airless. then PW off. Its the strongest thing Ive seen, but is nasty stuff. be prepared for some dead grass, and wear a full body condom, (PPE)

[Scott Paul 164]

You need to be careful when removing sealer from stamped concrete as you can also remove some of the tint. This depends on how it was installed.

This stripper will work:

Paver and Concrete Sealer Stripper | The Sealer Store

If it is just bubbles, then applying a solvent to "melt" the existing sealer is somtimes all you need. Try a gallon of Xylene. Apply it to the bubbles and see if is softens the bubbles so the sealer dries/lies down flat.

[Chappy 138]

Scotts right. That sometimes works well. avoids stripping it.

I didnt know you had that, Scott.

Edited June 1, 2009 by Chappy

[jkevin 15]

all you need to do that is use xylene . the reason it was bubble is because it was not thinned it out with xylene i have had that happen a few times when i sealed concrete

Edited June 1, 2009 by jkevin

[patriot pressure washing 14]

and that will not hurt the color pigment in the stamped concrete at all?

[Celeste 341]

Mike,

Give me a call - I can probably talk you through this better than trying to type. We run into this with installs and later maintenance all the time :)

Celeste 336-516-6356

[charlie 14]

Where can you get Xylene?

Charlie

[Celeste 341]

Lowe's - Home Depot - paint stores

[jkevin 15]

some times xylol not sure if spelling is right

[Celeste 341]

Xylene or Xylol is NOT necessarily the best option on this.... While yes, for addressing bubbles in a finish, it will emulsify the existing product and cause the bubbles to "lay down", for removal, it is definitely NOT the most efficient or cost effective method and will cause more problems than you may want to deal with.

Photos of the job would be helpful when asking for advise on issues. Without actually seeing the full extent of the issue you are somewhat describing, it is difficult to suggest the best remedy. You could have a $10.00 Xylene solution and a happy homeowner or a $10 Xylene solution that could cost you a lot of money AND a customer.

Celeste

[Scott Paul 164]

Scotts right. That sometimes works well. avoids stripping it.

I didnt know you had that, Scott.

Yes I added the concrete/paver stripper this year for online sales. I will add to pro site soon. It works great on removing old failed acrylic concrete coatings.