Is the new paint on your home making you happy? Do you worry about the graffiti on your glass windows? Well, relax and enjoy your remodeled interior because we have found many solutions to your one problem. Removing paint splashes or prior art from glass is not a difficult task. Whether the paint stains are wet or dry, you can quickly get rid of them by following proper techniques. If you need professional help, G.B cleaning experts are here to offer you quality window cleaning services.
The primary principle is “like dissolve like.” Depending on the nature of paints, either oil-based or watercolors, you can choose the solvent to dissolve it. For example, water and low molecular weight oil-based paints are soluble in acidic solvents and warm liquids. Moreover, saponification of oils in color is also possible by using soaps and detergents. Following is the ultimate guide to removing spray paints from glass depending on the glass and supplies available.
Safety Measures Before You Begin
Before you begin your work, it’s essential to consider some preventive measures. First, gather protective equipment like rubber gloves, goggles, masks, or a hair cap. Put on all appropriate protective clothing when using acidic or potent solvents. Moreover, make sure your room is adequately ventilated. So, evacuate all the harmful fumes that emerge when the paint dissolves in acids or alkalis. For this purpose, consider opening doors, ventilators, and doors of your cleaning room.
Floor protection is also essential to protect it from potent cleaning solvents. To cover the area, you can use a plastic sheet or an old bedsheet. However, cleaning outdoor windows can make your patio dirty and cluttered. This may need a deep patio cleaning.
Each Type Of Glass Requires A Different Technique
Glass is a non-crystalline solid material that varies in fragility and types based on the various manufacturing processes. If you don’t use the appropriate solvent, you will ruin your glass infrastructure. Therefore, know what paint removal technique to adopt to avoid scratching your glass doors.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass surfaces can damage if you use abrasive and potent cleaners like acetone. Acetone, however, can clean the glass surfaces immaculately, but it leaves stains and marks on the surface. Similarly, it would help if you never used steel wools and scouring pads on fibreglass, or else you will scratch it all. The safest way to clean windows and doors made of fibreglass is to use a vinegar wash or warm soapy water.
Plexiglass
Plexiglass is also known as acrylic glass that is a petroleum-based thermoplastic. Avoid using lacquer thinners that contain acetone, isopropyl acetate, and other potent solvents. Because these resin dissolving liquids can damage the surface of your plexiglass, making it cloudy. Moreover, instead of removing the paint, lacquer thinners cause it to smudge badly.
The best and the safest method to remove spray paint from plexiglass is to use warm water and mild soap. Soak up a rag in soapy water and spread it on the surface. Let the color soften, and then gently scrape it off using a butter knife.
Non-Chemical Ways and Home Remedies to Remove Spray Paint From Glass
If you are the one who doesn’t prefer using harsh chemical cleaners in your home, then this is for you. At first, everyone should try home remedies and natural cleaners to minimize the risks associated with chemical use. If, however, any of the organic cleaners did not work, you can indeed switch to a commercial cleaning product.
Common Supplies You May Need
● Source of water, pipe, fan spray arrangement
● A large bucket
● Paint scrapers, butter knife, or razor
● A big and a small towel
● Microfiber cleaning cloth
● Cotton
● Scouring pad or fine steel wool
● Suitable cleaner for your glass surface
● Protective equipment (gloves, goggles, face mask, and head cap)
Water Pressure Technique
It is one of the most typical and easiest ways to remove spray paint from glass. For this purpose, you only need a water supply with a pipe of accurate dimensions. Maintain sufficient water pressure to remove graffiti and to avoid breaking glass at the same time. Moreover, use a fan spray arrangement to help you adjust the angle at which the water will hit the glass surface. You can keep the nozzle at around 40 to 45 degrees. Rub the paint efficiently by moving the hose forward and backwards.
Dish Soap
For susceptible glass surfaces, warm soapy water is the safer option. You will need a large bucket and a mild kitchen cleaner for this. Take warm water in the bucket and add a few drops of dish soap to it. Use a microfiber cleaning cloth or simply a towel. Then, dip it in the soapy water and rub the spray paint splashes with this cloth. Wait for a few minutes and allow the paint to soften. Finally, scrub and wipe it off.
Using Paint Scraper
The paint scraping technique works best when you have windows made of stubborn glass. Use a sharp razor, butter knife, or paint scraper to shave the dried graffiti. To protect your glass from scratching, scrap at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with short strokes. Stop scraping if you hear any gritty sounds( indicating glass chipping).
Steel Wool from Your Kitchen
Fine steel wool will work on a rigid glass surface having dried paint splashes. Soften the paint first using warm water or soapy water to ease the process. Then, proceed to scrub graffiti. Again, take care of your glass surface and do not apply too much attrition. Keeping a bucket underneath the workstation will minimize the mess caused by paint scrapings. Otherwise, you will clog the drains that may additionally necessitate gutter cleaning services.
With White Vinegar (Acetic acid)
White vinegar is an acetic acid that rapidly dissolves spray paint splashes. It works even best on a fibreglass surface. The simple method involves using a warm vinegar-soaked rag. For this purpose, take a pyrex or an inert measuring cup, pour some white vinegar, and warm it in a microwave. Soak a microfiber cleaning rag with white vinegar and soften the dried paint splashes. Afterwards, clean the glass surface using soapy water and a sponge to remove the pungent vinegar odor.
With Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is also an efficient paint stripper for glass surfaces. It’s best to use 70 to 90 percent rubbing alcohol. The method and directions are the same as for the white vinegar. Moreover, denaturing alcohol can also work, but it is highly abrasive, so care should be taken while using it. Before using any potent solvent on glass surfaces, do a test check to avoid harmful consequences.
With White Spirit/ Mineral Spirits
White spirit or mineral spirit is the most inexpensive liquid and is easily accessible from any chemist or drugstore. It is a petroleum fraction obtained after the fractional distillation process. White spirit's chemical composition and potency suggest working best to remove fresh spray paint splashings. For this purpose, soak a cotton ball or rag in spirit and firmly rub the glass surface. To remove odor and make doors hygienic, use soapy water to wash further. Moreover, you can use turpentine to achieve a similar effect.
Top Chemical Product to Remove Graffiti From Glass
One of the most popular products to clean spray paint from glass surfaces is SoSafe. Each of the colours on the SoSafe package suggests usage on a specific material. For instance, SoSafe green is best to clean untreated, tinted or coated glass. In contrast, SoSafe yellow clears paint splashings from tinted glass. According to our testing, SoSafe green is a more efficient paint stripper than the latter one. There is also a package with the colour code Red Pro that is an all-purpose cleaning agent for all surfaces.
Requirements:
● A large bucket (5 ml capacity)
● Plain tap water
● SoSafe Red Pro cleaning agent
● Microfiber cleaning rag
● Sponge and scouring pad
● Plastic sheet for floor
● Protective Equipment and Clothing
Directions to Use:
➔ First of all, protect yourself and wear all safety clothing, goggles, gloves, and a face mask.
➔ Then, take a microfiber cleaning rag and soak it in a So Safe cleaning agent for about an hour.
➔ Use this soaked rag to loosen the dried and hardened paint from the glass surface.
➔ At this point, you can use a scouring pad to scrub off the hard paint stains.
➔ Finally, wash the glass doors or windows with plain tap water to wash the chemicals.
Note: You can place a large bucket or spread a plastic sheet on the floor to minimize the mess. It will help you gather the trash and protect your flooring from the chemical cleanser.
Get An Expert’s Help:
If your glass windows have stubborn paint stains that you can’t get rid of, get expert help from G.B cleaning services. Their cleaning specialists offer you quality work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They have more than a decade of experience in improving the appearance of outdoor spaces. Contact G.B experts if you want window cleaning, deep roof cleaning, commercial cleaning, or patio cleaning services. They will surely respond to you promptly and efficiently.
