How to Get Paint Off Glass (7 Removal Tips)

Painting your home can be fun and exciting. But that is before you splatter the paint anywhere you’re not supposed to, like on glass or your windows! If that’s happened, you need to know how to get paint off the glass without harming the surrounding surfaces.

You can start panicking now or do something about that little accident. And yes, you can get it off that glass.

Quicklist: Ways to Remove Paint from Glass

• Use Vinegar
• Use Nail Polish Remover
• Use Rubbing Alcohol
• Use Paint Thinner
• Use a Razor
• Use Fine Steel Wool
• Use Scouring Pad

How to Remove Paint From Glass Windows Step By Step

“Paint that gets onto glass can be easily removed by scraping with a razor blade, provided the removal is done soon after it dries.” – Judy Ostrow, Painting Rooms

You need to do this step by step to clean up this mess. While you can do this in several ways, this is one of the easiest methods. 

1. Collect the materials you will need for the job. In this case, you will need rubber gloves, a glass cleaner, cleaning rags, a dry cloth, and vinegar

2. Bring 1 cup of white vinegar to a boil. 

3. Wear rubber gloves and dip the cleaning rag into the vinegar. 

4. Use the soaked rag to rub the substance off the surface. 

5. Spray the surface down and use the cleaner to help. 

6. Use a new dry cloth to wipe down everything left behind.

Remember to have protective equipment like a disposable N-100 particulate respirator to avoid ingesting or inhaling lead dust from paints, especially when scraping it off the windows. [Source: US Environmental Protection Agency]

Using Nail Polish Remover On Glass

If the nail polish remover you are going to use is acetone, then you can remove painted areas with it. 

You must soak a microfiber cloth with a nail polish remover and rub the affected area. Let it sit before getting a microfiber cloth to wipe the stain and acetone clean from the surface.  

Tip: Make sure not to use acetone on fiberglass! It can dissolve its protective outer coating, particularly if you’re applying it on the surface of fiberglass windows. 

Rubbing Alcohol for Paint Removal

Yes, rubbing alcohol can remove it. Whatever type of glass door, window, or mirror it may be, rubbing alcohol can clean that up! 

You need to apply alcohol to the surface and let it soften before you soak a microfiber rag in the alcohol. Rub it vigorously on the affected area until you remove the stain. 

Tip: The higher the concentration of the alcohol you use, the better! Use 70% to 90% concentrated rubbing alcohol. 

Paint Thinner to Remove Paint From Glass

Paint thinners are technically used to remove paints in the first place. A whole new question is whether it also works when it’s dried. A cellulose-paint thinner effectively removes any type from a glass surface.

Tip: Make sure to fully protect your environment and project with sheets and masking tape before you use any stripper! You don’t want to remove coatings that you’ve purposely painted in the first place. 

How To Get Spray Paint Off Glass

To get paint off the glass, the first thing to do is know what type was used. In the case of spray paint, one of the most popular ways to get it off the surface is using a razor. 

Spray paints are aerosol-based products kept in a pressurized container and use compressed air to release its paint-propellant mixture. 

To get it off, you must first prepare the needed materials. This includes a razor, a cloth, a cleaning pad, dishwashing liquid, and a bucket. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Wash the surface and remove any dirt from it. Make sure to rinse it thoroughly.

2. Mix dishwashing liquid and warm water in a bucket until you see foam. 

3. Soak your cleaning pad in the mixture.
 
4. Apply the mixture to the surface, especially the affected area. 

5. Get the razor and keep the blade’s edge at a 45-degree angle. Start to scrape the painted residue carefully and gently. (Make sure to lift the blade after every scrape) 

6. Use a clean cloth to wipe the surface. 

7. Repeat 4, 5, and 6 until the problem area is fully removed. Make sure to keep the affected area wet with the mixture.

Tip: Remember that you can’t use acetone-based solvents for fiberglass if you are working with it.

Removing Spray Paint from a Mirror

You can use fine steel wool when removing spray paint from a mirror. Fine steel wool can’t scratch the glass. 

Start using olive oil or warm water with soap to lubricate the mirror, specifically the area where the problem is. Make sure to gently soak the area before using the fine steel wool to scrub the spray paint off the mirror. 

Once you remove the stain, get a microfiber or a cloth to clean the mirror. You can use a cleaner or just warm water with soap to clean it. Finally, dry the mirror using another clean cloth. 

Remove From A Glass Table

If you accidentally used spray paint on your glass table, you can do something about it! 

With spray paint used to graffiti everywhere, removers are now being offered in the market, especially if you’ve already tried everything and the damage still won’t come off. 

You can use that graffiti remover to remove the blemishes off the glass table. Whether it’s a kitchen or dining table, here are the steps you can use on it:

1. Collect everything you need: graffiti remover, bucket, microfiber cloth, scouring pad, cleaning rag, safety glasses, and rubber gloves. 

2. Use your rubber gloves and safety glasses to start working on the tabletop. 

3. Apply the graffiti cleaner on the affected area and let it be for at least 30 seconds. 

4. Take out your scouring pad and lightly and carefully scrub the stain. 

5. Get the cleaning rag, dip it in water, wring it out, and wipe the removed debris and graffiti remover away. 

6. Use a microfiber cloth to dry your tabletop. 

Tip: Clean your table immediately once you get overspray on it to make it easier! It will be harder once the application hardens. 

Removing Paint From Glass Without A Razor

Removing paint from glass can be done professionally or DIY. And the most popular DIY method always involves a razor in it. 

If you feel like you can’t work with a razor, there is still something you can do to get it off. Here are some of the items you can work with:

• Turpentine: this will also remove silicone glue residue, normally used when installing windows and doors, specifically in sliding doors. It’s also affordable, non-sticky, and has less odor.

• Oil: you only need a toothbrush, cotton ball, and washcloth. 

• Mineral Spirits: these are affordable, but make sure to use them immediately after the damage has been accidentally done since they can only be used on fresh-painted surfaces

• Hairspray: contains alcohol that will help clean off the surface

• Stripping Gel:  this solvent gel can also be labeled as a paint-and-varnish stripper

• Pressure Washer: wash the paint away and make sure that the nozzle is at a 40 to 45 angle. Be careful not to shatter the glass, so stick with pressure between 1,200 and 2,000 PSI.

See more related content in our article about this page’s different types of windows.