Removing paint from tarmac

iharding

There's some paint markings on our tarmac drive, been there since before we moved in, that I'd like to remove.

It looks like the spray marking paint the council use to circle potholes in the road, rather than the permanent road line paint.

What's the easiest and cheapest way of removing it please?

Thanks,
Ian

tlh858

Either high pressure water jet - but this can damage the tarmac as well, or burn it off with a blowlamp.

micmac22

Paint stains are treated differently depending on how fresh the stain is. New still-wet stains are best absorbed, not wiped, by a cloth or kitchen roll, and then scrubbed vigorously with hot-water and a detergent. Do NOT use thinners, turps, white spirit or any other solvent as they will serve only to carry the paint deeper into the paving or spread it over the surface.
Older, fully dried stains can be scraped off the pavement and the residue removed with paint stripper. On suitable surfaces, the careful and sparing use of a blow torch may help soften the dried paint, but avoid using heat on macadam surfaces, as the binder (tar or bitumen) may burn. With stone or concrete surfaces, careful application of heat a little at a time may help but prolonged, direct application can cause the surface to shatter or spall, sending dangerous shards of paving flying in all directions, so wear safety goggles and proceed wiuth caution.
Stripper/solvent should not be used on tarmacadam or other bituminous surfaces, as the paint stripper can dissolve the binder. In these situations, it's often easier to 'touch-up' small stains with a matt black paint.

or this stuff.


http://www.blackjacksurfacetechnology.com/products.html?dt=Tarmac&o=system


For Tarmac and Asphalt, the Latexite Sealcoat tarmac sealers are a must for protecting and beautifying your paved areas. Not only do they re-colour faded Tarmac, they also fill small cracks and fissures, preventing the ingress of water which leads to larger cracks and pot holes. Latexite Sealcoats will also offer resistance to oil and chemical attack and inhibit moss and algae growth.