Easiest way to remove paint from a basement floor?

[harryjmic]

I have an old home which has paint (a couple layers) in the basement on the cement floor. This was covered with carpet, but no I wish to have ceramic tile there instead. Do I need to remove the paint or can I tile over the painted surface? If I have to remove the paint what method is the easist way to do it?

I have tried a grinder with a wire brush - no good at all
A small vise - I used the weight to pop the paint off
A screwdriver - similar not bad but like the vise

Considering the room is 20' x 12' this could take forever, suggestions please. Thanks

[Midnight Lady]

I'm not an expert, but my uneducated opinion is that you can leave the paint on. The glue used to attach ceramic tile to a floor will work I think.

Is it not advisable to have a subfloor over concrete to put down ceramic tile? (just curious, I don't really know).

[Jan Folkson]

The easiest way is to have somebody else do it :)

[reeced]

AFAIK, all you need to do is to put a sealer over the paint to stop it lifting when you apply the tile adhesive.

[harryjmic]

Anyone else?

[2 Loud 4 You]

Out of curiosity, have you gone to a home improvement store and asked?

[amigo30]

I understand that some serious research has already been put into this very question. You should contact these kids parents and ask them what they came up with.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/08/KidsGallonPaint_600x424.jpg

[thewhit]

I'd put a quality primer over it after cleaning it thoroughly and base that primer on what's underneath....... latex, oil and whether it's flat or semi gloss etc. Also a vapor barrier is a good idea.

[Big White Tele]

I would try to clean it up as good as possible. If the paint is flaking, it needs to be removed. Then etch the concrete with muriatic acid. Then Tile away. Thats my guess.