# How much paint remover would it take to make the paint peel on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060 "2026-06-20T20:21:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/1 "2026-06-20T20:21:54Z")
After painting the bottom of the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial, it was refilled with water. Almost immediately, the paint began to peel. According to el donald, the peeling paint is the result of vandalism. Chemistry is not my strong suit. I’m hoping that there is a better expert among the teeming millions. If someone were dump a load of paint remover into the pool, how much would it take to do that? > **[Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial_Reflecting_Pool)** > > The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is the largest of the many reflecting pools in Washington, D.C. Dedicated in 1922, it is a 2,030-by-167-foot (619 by 51 m) concrete-bottomed rectangular pool located on the National Mall, in-between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. > The Reflecting Pool hosts many of the 24 million visitors who visit the National Mall annually. It is lined by walking paths and shade trees on both sides. Depending on the viewer's vantage point, it reflects th... The pool is 2037 feet long and 167 feet wide. It’s depth varies between 18 and 30 inches. As a rough guess, we can assume that the average depth would be two feet. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/2 "2026-06-20T20:26:30Z")
I thought they decided the paint flaking off was due to the hydrogen peroxide they used in an attempt to get rid of the algae. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/3 "2026-06-20T20:27:09Z")
I don’t know how much, but I’ve used various paint strippers, and they all smell horrible and quite strong. I can’t see it not being noticed. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/4 "2026-06-20T20:29:39Z")
The conspirators would not have used anything you could detect easily. They most likely employed Jewish Space Lasers. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/5 "2026-06-20T20:32:58Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > I don’t know how much, but I’ve used various paint strippers, and they all smell horrible and quite strong. I can’t see it not being noticed. Oh yes, it is nasty stuff. I’m picturing someone driving up in a tanker truck in the middle of the night. wondering if it would be enough. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/6 "2026-06-20T20:34:53Z")
Wouldn’t paint remover added to the reflecting pool water be immediately diluted? So to be effective, a huge amount would be needed. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/7 "2026-06-20T21:09:19Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So to be effective, a huge amount would be needed. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/8 "2026-06-20T21:10:19Z")
You don’t need paint remover when you’ve done a crap job of preparing the surface and (probably) used and inferior or incorrect paint. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/9 "2026-06-20T21:10:26Z")
I wonder if the water was added to the reflecting pool too soon after it was treated. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/10 "2026-06-20T21:18:40Z")
> [@saje](#): > > You don’t need paint remover when you’ve done a crap job of preparing the surface and (probably) used and inferior or incorrect paint. They were paid so little (a no-bid $14.7 million contract, versus the initial estimate of $1.8 million) is it any wonder that they had to use inferior paint? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/11 "2026-06-20T21:24:17Z")
Such a shame … (Ouch that eyeroll hurt) And dammit, I hate when there’s a typo I can’t fix! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/12 "2026-06-20T21:31:46Z")
I’ve had latex paint peel completely up off my basement floor within a couple days of painting it, even though I’d thought the floor was sealed. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/13 "2026-06-20T21:47:14Z")
I believe media blasting would be the most effective way to remove the paint. The media doesn’t have to be course sand. Here is a article about [media choices](https://www.niceabrasive.com/ultimate-blasting-media-selection-guide-compare-grit-types-for-every-application/). The workers would use the softest material that can remove the fresh paint. I don’t envy the guys that have to do the work. They have to wear heavy PPE suits, goggles, and respirators. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/14 "2026-06-20T21:47:49Z")
Stupid question: What was the surface originally before the Idiot In Charge farked it up? Was it just plain concrete? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/15 "2026-06-20T22:10:56Z")
[This webpage](https://usa.sika.com/en/construction/below-grade-waterproofing/projects/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool.html) (linked to from the Wikipedia article on the reflecting pool) says the _original_ pool was asphalt and tile, covered by a concrete slab in 1980 and that replaced by multiple concrete slabs on timber pilings, with sealing strips between them. There is also thousands of feet of pipe connecting to a water treatment system. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/16 "2026-06-20T22:23:04Z")
I’m not an expert. But it’s my understanding that algae grows in stagnant water. That’s why swimming pools have circulating pumps. Fountains have columns of water that keeps the water circulating very fast. Circulating pumps would be a starting point to preventing algae in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/17 "2026-06-20T23:08:00Z")
[Here](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/19/nx-s1-5863044/dc-reflecting-pool-algae-green-trump) is a pretty good article by NPR on the algae in the pool. The same thing happened after the renovation during the Obama administration. And it’s been a problem for over 100 years. The article, however, doesn’t say anything about the paint issue, which is the subject of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/18 "2026-06-20T23:54:36Z")
[Moderating] A reminder, all, that we’re in Factual Questions. The Factual Question here is, how much thinner or other chemicals would need to be added to the pool so that, when diluted by the water already there, it would cause the paint to quickly peel or otherwise deteriorate. If you have information on that question, please share it. If you wish simply to get in digs against Trump, there are plenty of other threads for that. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/19 "2026-06-21T00:21:24Z")
Here is a video on the actual peeling by an expert that is basically getting calls from all of the press to discuss what’s been going on in the pools. He claims that, while too much peroxide could cause peeling, it wouldn’t look like sheets coming up. He says it is most likely adhesion failure due to improper preparation. The surface could be too smooth or the concrete could be so old it’s failing. Or water could be leaking in on the underside. The top layer of this stuff is very strong, but the bond layer isn’t. So it requires special work. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lcwqnDUC4-Q/maxresdefault.jpg "Reflecting Pool Surface Failing - What Could Make This Happen?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcwqnDUC4-Q) ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060/20 "2026-06-21T15:33:19Z")
In his book, Michael Cohen relates the story of how Trump ordered the cheapest low-grade paint for a hotel project he was developing. Then, when it proved to be cheap and low-grade (Apparenly, just cleaning the walls took off the paint), he refused to pay the contractor and sent Cohen to deal with the paint manufacturer and demand they fix the problem problem at their own expense. In literature, this is called _foreshadowing_. I would presume the first step is to drain the ~~swamp~~ pond. Then manually/mechanically peel off as much as can be removed non-chemically. Then chemical application would be the action for the pieces that actually adhered, are not peeling. I don’t do much paint work, but I have not run across paint remover that is meant to work on wet surfaces or is meant to be diluted with water. So drain, let it dry, then apply remover. I presume, the issue would be how easy it is to strip - and if the concrete surface is rough and failing, I see no end of problems.I presume they would do it in sections. The other question is, how much it rains in DC if the work has to be done with a dry surface. I’m imagining a year or three, with a tent covering progressive sections of the drained pond. There’s a reason previous administrations were reluctant to touch this job. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-paint-remover-would-it-take-to-make-the-paint-peel-on-the-bottom-of-the-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/1031060.md?page=2)