Removing Paints & Glues From Microcement Surfaces
It can be devasting to find that paint, glues or other building materials have splashed on your newly microcemented surface.
Read the short guide below to learn more about what do to if this happens on your job.
Check with Manufacturer’s of Paint & Cleaning Products
Check with the manufacturers of the paint, what products they recommend for removing their product.
Then, check whether the cleaning product is suitable for use on polyurethane.
What Chemicals Can I Use on Microcement Surfaces?
As long as you clean them away so that no residue is left on the surface for a prolonged length of time (ideally within 15 minutes), you can use most cleaning products on sealed microcement surfaces. Just don’t let anything sit on the surface for too long as it could start to breakdown the sealers or change the appearance of the surface.
We always recommend doing a test in a discreet corner with any chemical to be sure of the impact before using it across a wider area.
The following table shows how each of our sealers are affected by some of the more common cleaning chemicals:
| Sealer | 95% Alcohol | 3% Ammonia | 10% Bleach | 24% Hydrochloric Acid |
| Aquamax Pro for Walls | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours |
| Aquamax Pro for Floors | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours |
| Maxipur | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours |
| Polyshield | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours | < 24 hours |
What if the Cleaning Product doesn’t Work?
If you can’t remove the paint with cleaning products, then you might need to scrape or sand it off instead.
Wrapping a damp cloth over the end of a scraper will help to stop the scraper scratching the surface.
As a last resort, sand back the surface to remove the product Start with a high grit like a 400 or 220, to minimise the impact on the microcement, before working down to a lower grit if necessary. You must then apply another coat of sealer, to replace any that you have sanded off, here is our guide to resealing the microcement surface.