We’ve all been there. You just finished the noble task of painting your home. You take a step back to admire your hard work, and notice there’s a little spot of paint on your lamp. And your floor. And your clothes. The more you look the more those little spots start looking like a giant mess that you have to clean up. If you’ve ever painted, you know how easy it is to let the chaos get out of hand. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to see how to remove paint from, well, almost everything.
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How to Remove Paint From Clothes
If nothing else, it’s guaranteed you’re going to get a little paint on your clothes. To start, scrape off as much of the excess paint as you can without rubbing it in. Next, place a rag or paper towel underneath the layer of clothing your working with to ensure the paint doesn’t seep through. Mix one part water and one part dish soap, and start dabbing at the spot with a towel. Continue rinsing and dabbing at the spot until it goes away.
Here’s a pro-tip from someone who has spent a lot of time painting: spend $20 on a set of painter’s coveralls instead of wearing your own clothes!
How to Remove Paint From Glass
With its ultra smooth surface, glass is the easiest surface to remove paint from. Use some acetone based nail polish on a rag to wipe it off. If the paint is dry, you can use a razor blade to carefully slice the paint off. If you’re going with this method, you need to take extreme caution. Go slowly and use your free hand to keep yourself stable. By going slowly, you also reduce your chance of scratching the glass.
How to Remove Paint From Decking
If you have composite decking, removing paint is a breeze. The material is durable and smooth, aka the perfect paint removing combo. If the paint is still wet, try to get as much of it off as possible. Use deck cleaner or a soap and water mixture to scrub at the spot until the paint is gone. Be careful not to use anything with acetone or paint thinner, as you risk damaging the composite.
With wood decking, it’s a bit thougher since wood is more absorbent. Depending on how bad the spill is, there are a couple options. If it’s not too big of a spot, use a small amount of paint remover and a bristle brush to scrub in the direction of the wood grain. If you’ve got a really big mess like a spill on your hands, you might want to consider stripping and restaining the deck. On the bright side, you come out the other end with a beautifully stained deck.
How to Remove Paint From Carpet
Carpet is probably the most frustrating and inconvenient thing to remove paint from. If the paint is dried, you’ll unfortunately have to try picking the paint away with tweezers, pliers, or scissors. With wet paint, blot up as much as you can with a rag or paper towel. Using hot water and dish soap, lather and scrub the area with a bristle brush. If all else fails, you might want to consider hiring a carpet cleaner to remove the paint for you.
How to Remove Paint From Brick & Concrete
Though it’s highly absorbent, it’s not impossible to remove paint from brick. Using special paint remover made for brick or normal paint stripper, you have a fighting chance. Keep scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush and rinsing until you get the paint out. Make sure to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the fumes. If you prefer not to use paint thinner, you can use a one to one mixture of vinegar and hot water instead.
Similar to brick, concrete is an absorbent material that’s frustrating to remove paint from. You can use the same paint stripper or vinegar and scrub brush method. For an especially out of control mess, a good pressure washing will likely get the job done.
How to Remove Paint From Metal
There’s a few options you have to remove paint from metal surfaces. For metal with a rough surface, one of the best methods is right in your pantry – baking soda! Mix baking soda and hot water to make a paste, and start scrubbing at the metal with a bristle brush.
The classic paint stripper and scrub brush combo will also do. If you get paint on metal appliances however, you need to be a lot more careful. The material is more delicate than something like a wrought iron railing. You’ll want to consult your manufacturers guide to see how they recommend approaching the situation to avoid damage.
Avoid The Mess Altogether
Getting messy with your paint job doesn’t have to mean a ruined floor, shirt, or deck. With a little elbow grease and determination, there are tons of quick and easy ways to remove paint from nearly every surface.
What’s the best way to avoid getting paint all over the place? Hiring a professional to get the job done for you. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re refreshing your walls or giving your exterior a total makeover, our team of experts are excited to get you started. Fill out this contact form and let us take care of the mess before it even happens.