How to Remove Spray Paint From Anything
You might sigh in relief when spray paint comes out of your carpet
Learning how to remove spray paint without damaging surfaces allows you to eliminate accidental coverage. Although spray paint can’t replace household or automotive paints in most cases, it’s indispensable for use on irregular items. However, despite product improvements over the years, spray paint always seems to end up in unintended places. This guide provides a way to remove it on almost any surface you can think of.
How to Remove Spray Paint
You may have to use strong-smelling or irritating chemicals to remove spray paint from some surfaces. Ensure that the room you’re in is well-ventilated. Wear protective gloves and clothing that you don’t mind damaging, and wear a respirator instead of a simple dust mask if you can't ventilate the area. Read and follow the safety precautions and disposal requirements on the product you’re using, and follow safety procedures if you use a ladder, power tool, or pressure washer.
Spray paint dries within minutes, so cleaning it up is seldom as simple as wiping it before it sets. Water-based spray paint usually cleans up with soap and water, but it’s less common. Most spray paints are oil-based and require stronger methods of removal.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Your Skin
Even the best spray painters can end up with painted fingers. These are the best ways to remove spray paint without harming your skin.
Try vigorously washing your hands in warm water with mild soap. Sometimes, fresh paint will scrub off.
Apply vegetable, cooking, or baby oil with a rag and gently scrub with a fingernail brush or old toothbrush if necessary. Use warm water and soap to remove the residue after the paint is gone.
If all else fails, apply white vinegar with a rag and gently use a brush to scrub off the paint.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Masonry and Concrete
Knowing how to remove spray paint from brick or concrete is often necessary to combat graffiti. When removing paint from concrete or masonry, avoid acidic solvents. There are several ways to remove paint without causing damage to these hard but porous surfaces, and here are four to try below.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions on a bottle of graffiti remover.
Use Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) or an environmentally friendly TSP substitute. Mix it with water, and scrub vigorously. Rinse well after use.
Use a pressure washer on the lowest possible setting to remove the paint but not scar the masonry.
If all else fails, an angle grinder will remove the paint but can easily damage the substrate. Only use a grinder as a last resort.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Glass
Removing spray paint from glass without a razor is possible if you have just a few minutes. Here are four options to get rid of the paint.
For small overspray amounts, use acetone or nail polish remover. Place a few drops on a rag and rub the spot until the paint dissolves.
For larger areas, dip a rag into rubbing alcohol and rub the rag over the area until the paint is gone.
You can also use white vinegar, water, and a few drops of dish soap in the same way if you wish.
Use a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine and a rag if the glass is outdoors or the room has excellent ventilation.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Wood
Removing spray paint from wood without damaging the finish can be tricky. Patience is key to success with this four-step process to remove paint from wood.
With a rag, apply enough acetone or rubbing alcohol to dampen the affected area.
Allow the solvent to sit for 15 minutes.
Use the rag or a soft brush to rub the surface until the paint dissolves.
If necessary, repeat the procedure several times.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Walls
Your method of removing spray paint from painted walls will depend on what kind of house paint is underneath.
Use caution and test this method in an inconspicuous area first, as these products can also smear latex paint. If the paint under the spray paint is latex- or water-based, gently brush on paint thinner or vegetable oil (only on the spray paint if possible), and gently rub the area with a rag.
Try a TSP or TSP substitute mixed with water by gently rubbing the area with a dampened sponge or rag.
If the spray paint is on oil-based wall paint, mix baking soda and water into a paste and smear it on with a rag. Allow it to work for 15 minutes, and wipe it off. Repeat as necessary, being careful not to affect the finish underneath.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Cars and Metal
Avoid using abrasives or rubbing compounds to remove spray paint from a car or painted metal surface unless you have significant experience doing that kind of work. Here are three methods to get your car clean.
For small amounts of overspray, gently rub on a few drops of acetone nail polish remover. Use caution, as the solvent will damage the car’s paint if you rub too hard.
For a gentler solution, try dousing the area with white vinegar and wiping it off with a rag.
If you have some lubricating spray around, you can try spraying on small amounts and wiping it off with a rag.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Plastic and Vinyl
While difficult, you can still get spray paint off plastic and vinyl if you’re careful. Avoid chemical solvents, as many easily destroy or melt plastic and vinyl products.
For exterior siding, a pressure washer on a low setting can remove most of the spray paint without damaging the wall.
For spray paint on plastics or leftover paint after power washing, use white vinegar and a rag or gentle brush. Follow the vinegar with dish soap and water to remove the spray paint.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Fabric and Carpet
The trick to getting spray paint off of fabric or carpet is to avoid spreading dissolved paint and creating a bigger stain. Try this three-step method for how to get paint out of carpet.
Place a few drops of acetone, white vinegar, lubricating spray, or hydrogen peroxide onto the area and allow it to soak for several minutes. Test an inconspicuous area first if you’re uncertain that the fabric is colorfast.
After the spray paint has dissolved, blot a rag over the area instead of rubbing it. Check the rag for the paint color.
Repeat as necessary. It may take several attempts to remove all of the paint.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Shoes
How to remove spray paint from shoes depends on the type of shoes and where the paint landed. Don’t give up on your favorite pair of tennis shoes just yet.
On the fabric or leather of the shoes, dab a small amount of nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol onto the paint (test this first on a small area). Gently rub the area with a rag until the stain is gone. For mesh-type shoe fabric, blot the rag instead of rubbing it to avoid spreading the paint around.
Use white vinegar, dish soap, and water with a rag on the soles to remove the paint without damaging the rubber.
How to Prevent Spray Paint Overspray
Spray paint out of a can creates a fine mist that can end up almost anywhere in the room where you’re painting. To avoid overspray and mistakes, cover everything nearby, including your skin. Wear protective clothing and a respirator when using spray paint. Use drop cloths and tape plastic or paper sheets over everything not being painted.
Spray painting outdoors can minimize some overspray concerns, but not all. You’ll still want to cover nearby items and paint on a calm day with as little wind as possible.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Removing spray paint yourself isn’t impossible, but using the wrong solvent to perform the task can damage the material below the paint. Hiring a local handyperson is a good solution if you’re unsure of the correct procedure for the job.
Homeowners attempting to remove graffiti often hire a pro because it takes time to get an exterior clean again. Nearby power-washing companies can help in these situations.
Cost to Remove Spray Paint
Learning how to work with spray paint involves preparing the site to avoid as much cleanup and paint removal as possible. Removing spray paint isn’t always costly, but it can take significant time. Paint removal products, such as a bottle of graffiti remover, are under $20. Spending a similar amount on tape, plastic, or paper will reduce overspray cleanup after a painting job.
If you need to rent a pressure washer or hire a pro to remove large amounts of spray paint, you could spend up to $400.
Deane Biermeier contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Numerous chemicals will easily remove spray paint. Paint thinner, mineral spirits, and oil-based products are the most effective but can harm some materials below the spray paint. The easiest way to remove spray paint is by using the most potent solvent that won’t damage the substrate.
Paint thinner is the best product to remove spray paint. However, use caution as this solvent can easily damage soft materials and existing paint. For more delicate items, vinegar and rubbing alcohol are the best products to remove spray paint without causing damage.
Yes, WD-40 can remove spray paint, thanks to its properties as a solvent. If you try this method, the best approach is to apply it to the dried spray paint and allow it to sit for about five to ten minutes, then scrub. However, WD-40 may leave a greasy film and attract dirt on your surface.