While using spray paint, mistakes are likely. If you ruined your glass due to graffiti, craft projects, or other DIYs, read this article to learn how to get spray paint off the glass!
Spray paint is a popular item among DIYers as it updates, repurposes, transforms, and protects bare metals, glass objects, and plastics. Furthermore, it’s also used by artists to make graffiti and other street art. While using spray paint to give new life to glass jars, bowls, vases, glass shower doors, or fixing something near windows, blunders can happen. Don’t panic and read this article to find out how to get spray paint off the glass with the products that are already available around you.
How to Get Spray Paint Off Glass?
Below are some quick, non-toxic, chemical-free methods that will help you eliminate the spray paint off the glass without any hassle.
1. Acetone Nail Polish Remover
While spray painting an old mirror frame or frost shower glass door, a bit of overspray is likely. In such a case, use acetone as it’s an excellent product to remove dried, stuck-on spray paint from mirrors and frosted glass.
How to Use it
Simply pour a few drops of acetone nail polish remover on an old microfiber cloth and place it on the desired area to loosen the paint bond. Once the dried paint starts to soften, scrub it away. After that, wipe the extra acetone solution with a separate cloth and further clean the glass surface using soapy water.
2. Try White Vinegar
If you don’t have acetone nail polish remover handy, use white vinegar instead. Its acidity dissolves the dried paint quickly, and the best part, its odor dissipates quickly. This remedy is safe to use on fiberglass.
How to Use it
First, heat white vinegar in the microwave or on the stovetop. Next, sprinkle vinegar on the desired glass spot and wait for 5-10 minutes. Once it’s done, saturate an old cloth in concentrated vinegar and place it against the painted area for a few minutes. After that, scrub thoroughly to remove the paint. Lastly, wipe the glass surface with a clean cloth.
3. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a go-to product to get rid of spray paint from glass surfaces. It works by breaking down the paint’s bond. Always opt for 70% or higher concentrations as lesser ones are not helpful.
How to Use it
Mix equal amounts of rubbing alcohol and water into a spray bottle. Spritz the solution on the desired glass surface and wait for 10-15 minutes. Once the waiting period is over, scrub with alcohol-soaked paper towels. If the paint is still stuck on, repeat the whole process.
4. Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirit is the best bet to remove paint from glass objects until the spray paint is not cured. It’s best for cleaning up the overspray or drips right after doing spray paint on the glass. Handle mineral spirit with care because of its toxic and flammable nature.
How to Use it
Saturate an old cloth with mineral spirit and hold it against the desired glass area for 2-3 minutes. When the stain starts to dissolve, rub the cloth quickly. Once you’re done, wipe the glass surface with soapy water or a commercial glass cleaner.
5. WD-40
Have a can of wd-40 at your disposal? If yes, you don’t need anything else to take off spray paint from most glass surfaces. Feel free to repeat this hack if the spray paint overspray is still there.
How to Use it
Spray a little bit of wd-40 on the stained glass spot and after a minute or two, rub the surface with a rag. When the spray paint drips disappears, wipe the excess wd-40 with a dry cloth.
6. Turpentine
As turpentine is an exceptional paint thinning agent, it can remove spray paint from all kinds of surfaces, including glass and skin. However, don’t use turpentine on the skin often as it’s full of harmful chemicals.
How to Use it
Pour a few drops of turpentine into a bowl and dip a cotton pad in it for a few seconds. Next, place the pad on the stained glass area for few minutes and scrub thoroughly until the stain disappears.
7. Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is one of the easiest and less laborious means to separate spray paint from glass surfaces and concrete floors. However, be careful while using the pressure washer on the glass to prevent mishaps.
How to Use it
First, connect the pressure washer to the garden hose, attach a 40-degree nozzle, and adjust the water pressure accordingly. Turn on the washer, stand at least 3-4 feet away from the window glass and keep the wand at a 45-degree angle. Next, blast the powerful jet of water on the stained area with back-and-forth motions to remove the spray paint.
8. Super Fine Steel Wool
Whether you have to eliminate spray paint from windows or any other glass object, super fine steel wool is completely safe and works quite well. Always prefer steel wool which is super-fine grade, listed as #0000 on the product package.
How to Use it
First, spread warm soapy water all over the problematic glass surface and start scrubbing with super fine steel wool until the stain disappears.
Precautions
No matter which method you’re going to use to eliminate paint from the glass, follow the below precautions carefully.
- Don’t use acetone on fiberglass to avoid damaging its outer protective coating.
- While using the above hacks, maintain proper ventilation.
- Always wear rubber gloves, a good quality face mask, a safety goggle, and full-sleeved clothing to avoid mishaps.
- Instruct your kids, elderly, and pets to stay far away from the treated area.
- Rags or microfiber cloths used in the spray paint removal methods must be disposed of responsibly.
- Never use a paint scraper and razor blade to remove spray paint as they leave scratches and marks on glass surfaces.
Conclusion
Taking off spray paint from glass is easy, quick, and won’t cost you a fortune. Also, keep these safety precautions in mind while using the above products. However, hire a service professional if you don’t want to take any risk with your glass stuff.