I had a disaster with DeRusto black paint and now I have a big blotch on my front porch. Any ideas how I can get this off? My porch is unpainted concrete. This happened in October 2003, and neither kerosene nor paint thinner seemed to faze it. I have to admit, though, that I got tired of using the old elbow grease pretty quickly. Perhaps you can tell me where I can get hold of great big elephant foot stencils? That might do the trick!

While researching the answer to your question, I learned that DeRusto merged with Rust-Oleum and so they don't have current tech data sheets on the products. They are working to create new ones, and they should be ready before the end of the painting season. Your guess is as good as mine when that will be.

I've been told that most of the DeRusto paints are oil-based and will soften with paint thinner. However, as you have noticed, once oil paint cures, the likelihood that paint thinner will soften it is slim.

Here's how I would clean off that big black blotch so you don't have to stencil in elephant footprints as camouflage. I have tried this method so I know it works, but I do have to caution you that you will be working with chemicals. You should protect yourself with protective clothing, heavy-duty rubber gloves, and safety glasses.

Here's what you will need:

Lacquer thinner, Sure Klean 600 Detergent masonry cleaner (available at contractor masonry supply house), Simple Green (non-toxic biodegradable all-purpose cleaner), natural bristle scrub brush, 1 1/2-inch paintbrush (Chinese bristle or 100 percent polyester), a couple of buckets, a polypropylene bucket (to withstand hydrochloric acid), white rags, and an empty soup can.

I would do the work on a cloudy day because lacquer thinner evaporates quickly so a cool day allows for more working time with the thinner. Begin by filling the buckets with warm water and have them on hand near the work area. Next, pour lacquer thinner into the soup can and then onto the painted area. Dab the area with fresh lacquer thinner from the soup can using the paint-brush. Work the lacquer into the painted area until the paint begins to dissolve.

When you think all the paint is dissolved, use a white rag to blot the area for any residual paint. Repeat the process as necessary but remember that if paint gets into any crevasses, you will not be able to be clean it up during this phase of the project.

You'll be ready for the next step once the area is blotted using the white rags.

Mix 1 part of 600 Detergent with 4 parts of water in the polypropylene bucket. Because this product contains hydrochloric acid, be sure to add the detergent to the water and not the other way around. Doing it in the right order will prevent the chemical from splashing up on you. Pour the mixture on the area and watch the paint bubble up from the crevasses. You can help the process along with the natural bristle scrub brush. Rinse the area with a bucket of warm water after about 2-5 minutes. Do not leave this Detergent on for more than five minutes. If you find that the paint didn't come out completely, then try the 600 Detergent at full strength, but don't leave it on the surface for more than 30 seconds as it could damage the concrete's finished surface.

Once the crevasses are free of paint and the area is rinsed thoroughly, then wash the area using the natural bristle scrub brush and Simple Green. Finally, rinse with cold water and let the area air dry. Inspect the area after it is dry to see if you need to repeat any of the cleaning steps. The whole process should not take more than 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be cleaned.

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C.R.S., Inc. · Spokane, Washington · USA