You can actually remove paint from several surfaces if you know what to do.
Oh no, you accidentally go paint on the window! Or perhaps you’ve bought a home with a painted wood floor and you want to expose the natural hardwood. Paint is difficult to remove, but removing paint is not an impossible task. With the right know-how, you can remove paint from almost any surface. Here are five different surfaces and how to remove paint from them.
Glass
If there are messy paint lines on your windows, you can remove them with just a little soap and a razor blade. Soap and razor blades are not a safe combination, so make sure that you wear protective gloves and work carefully! Mix dish soap with warm water and sponge it onto the surface where you want to remove the paint. With a safety razor blade, carefully scrape away the paint. Be sure to keep the glass dampened with the sudsy water in order to prevent scratching the glass.
Countertops
For paint splatters on countertops, try pouring on a little olive oil and wiping with a dry rag in a circular motion. If that doesn’t work, try using a rag that is wrapped around a plastic putty knife. For those really tough paint stains, you can try applying mineral spirits and wiping with a dry rag as a last resort.
Carpet
Paint on carpet is easiest removed when still wet. Try blotting–not rubbing–the stain with dry paper towels or an old rag. If the paint still doesn’t come out, try some glycerin, white vinegar, or nail polish remover on the rag. Dried up paint stains may require a commercial paint remover, such as Goof Off or WD-40. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area of the carpet first.
Linoleum or Vinyl
Start by blotting up as much paint as possible with rags dipped in warm, soapy water. If the stain remains, try using rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits, scraping with a cloth-covered plastic scraper. If the stains still persist, try very gently rubbing liquid floor wax into the stain with superfine steel wool.
Hardwood Floors
Latex paint can be removed safely from hardwood floors with a clean rag and denatured alcohol. You’ll have to have a lot of patience, but the paint should be able to be removed eventually. If the paint is oil-based, you’ll need to use mineral spirits to remove the paint. However, be sure not to let the mineral spirits soak into the wood, as this will cause damage. You can also try a commercial paint remover such as Zip Strip Premium Paint and Finish Remover. Rinse your floors with clean water and dry completely when you’re done. You may want to touch up your wood floors afterward with a fresh stain.
Get Your Whole Yard Ready for Fall with Fisher Lumber
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