Painted Sidwalks

Steven Button

Steven Button

Administrator
hey guys

I've been invited to bid on cleaning the sidewalk at a strip mall that has a painted surface, the Property Manager mentioned gum removal, but I'm concerned that this would be risky as it could remove painted surface... would like some pointers or tips about this kind of surface.

I was thinking just a general degrease and hot water wand work to remove surface grime - surface cleaner would strip it of paint.

How would you approach this? Would really appreciate any advice...


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Steven,
What they are asking is not possible in my opinion. You cannot remove the gum without taking paint off. It is already coming off in areas. I'd walk away, or tell them they will have to repaint when your done. Have them sign the proposal. Thank You.
 
It allmost looks like the sidewalks I just did, but they were colored cement sidewalks and it looks like in two of the pics like it is colored not painted but I can't tell. If it is paint, I don't know if you can get the gum up without taking up the paint too.
 
Just tell them that the gum will come off with the paint. I don't see you taking the gum away from the paint. If so, I'll buy the patent to that paint!!! Tell them it will need to be painted afterwards. Looks like there is bare concrete showing through already anyway
 
terry & terry

thanks for the input, I'm just off the phone with a local guy who does a fair bit of commercial. He said that a few of his accounts have painted surfaces and they paint over the gum when it gets bad - no gum removal, just clean.

TLC, I'm certain it is a painted surface - the third picture shows a worn part of the sidewalk, through to the bare surface. (good job on your sidewalks by the way... what a difference!!!)

I'll explain to the situation to the PM...
 
Just an idea..... I know this will suck but...... what if you get hot water on it, scrape it up with a putty knife, then get a Scotchbrite pad to remove the little bit of film left over. Then wash as normal!
I know its a ton of work, but might pay off, if it works. Never tried it.
 
they paint over the gum? That's just lazy. If they're going to paint anyway, why not remove the gum anyway, who cares if it removes the paint, so they have a good bonding surface for the paint and it will look uniform?
 
Thats like a dumpster enclosure I just cleaned last week LOL they painted over the GREASE and the paint fell right off, so I took it down bare for them to re paint without Grease and they were happy campers.
 
I did a walk through with a pm this afternoon on a plaza. They want all the concrete cleaned and the upper walks along the store front are painted brown and have gum on them. I already told them that unless they are going to repaint the gum will have to stay. They don't plan on repainting so I guess the gum stays. I did their other plaza that they own across the street about 2 months ago and they were very pleased so I think I got this one also. We will see for sure when they get the proposal tomorrow!
 
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