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remove paint from limestone floor

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

We're almost done with our remodel and are preparing for our final walkthrough. The cleaners came late last week to do a deep cleaning, and part of that was removing all the paper covering the floors, etc. Upon removing the paper, I noticed that the painters obviously got paint on the honed limestone tile floors in our bathrooms at some point. I asked our builder to tell the cleaners not to use any chemicals (or to only use ph neutral), and he said they would only use water. I assume that's why they could not get the paint off.

I've Googled removing paint from limestone and every solution someone recommends has another person who said that it ruined their floors. I am hoping some of the flooring experts here know if this is something that my builder should know how to remove/be able to remove without damaging the stone?

The floors are sealed, and I was able to scrape off most of the drips with my fingernail, but this is what's left (picture below, the white splotches). Not sure if it's paint that got smeared (vs drops), or perhaps caulking, but I wasn't able to scrape it off. I am hoping that when we point this out to the builder he will have dealt with this sort of thing before and will be able to have his painters/cleaners/etc get it off easily. Has anyone removed paint from limestone floors before? From the color of the paint, I know its Sherwin Williams ProClassic Waterbased Acrylic Alkyd.



Comments (13)

  • 4 years ago

    Using a clean cloth, apply a small amount of paint thinner. Dab the paint thinner gently onto the paint stain until all of the paint has been removed. Apply more paint thinner as needed, but avoid getting it on the limestone surface.

  • 2 years ago

    This looks like Limestone flooring I am considering from Floor & Decor. Where did you get yours and how do you like it now? Could you please send more pictures? Thanks!

  • 2 years ago

    We got it at Floor & Decor. We really like it, and I figured out (too late in my case) what the issue was. For honed limestone tiles like these, they need to be sealed before they are installed, and then again afterwards. When they were originally installed, they were pristine, and they were covered by brown paper to protect for the remainder of the remodel. The plan was when all was done, we'd come back and seal them. But some of the brown paper got torn and moved out of place during the carpentry and painting phase, and that's where the spots like these got on the tile. And they stayed there for a few months until the remodel was done and then they were too dried in place for me to fully remove. For the few tiles where this was the case, it wasn't worth it in my opinion to have our builder bust out a few tiles and replace them (even though we have some extra).


    SO, what I learned is to let contractor/builder/tile guy know in advance that they need to be sealed prior to and after installation. This will cost more than they would probably budget for regular tile installation (so they would charge you additional for this), but it would be worth it in my opinion with 20/20 hindsight.

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    This is purely guess but since it already has a bit of a rough texture and since it hasnt yet been sealed, would it make sense to gently sand off just enough to remove the paint.... depends of course on how deep the paint has seeped in. That would avoid risk of a chemical or anything changing the color or messing up the seal coat. Ive been re building my fish pond and chiseling some of the limestone rocks and surprised how soft it is and easily shaped.

  • 2 years ago

    In a hidden corner I tried a Dremel tool but that had wire brushes and made a noticeable mark. Removed the paint, but looked worse. I might try to wet it down and use some fine sandpaper. I pretty much don't notice it now since it,s been a while, but this thread resurfacing has me interested again.

  • 2 years ago

    Would you possibly post a picture of your finished room with the limestone? We’re set to install this same stone in our bathroom in a few weeks and I’m worried about the decision. I’m worried it’ll end up too dark. But I cannot find a lighter limestone around me that’s as affordable. I’d really, really appreciate it!

  • 2 years ago

    Would you install limestone again, knowing what you know now? Have they darkened over time? How do they feel underfoot?

  • 2 years ago

    Use a hair dryer on high to heat up the paint and use a razor blade. A lot will come off.

  • 2 years ago

    OP if not a large area you could just layer on thin washes of paint until different color not so noticeable.... ? ive done that when attempting to remove spots of white paint that are embedded in wood that Im trying to strip.

  • 2 years ago

    Yes, i would install again. hasnt darkened or anything here is a pic of our bathroom floor. you can see a little of the paint

  • 2 years ago



  • 2 years ago

    Thank you!