How to Remove Paint Stains from a Window

Whether you accidentally got paint on the window glass during a recent paint job or are looking to renovate an old window, the job will be easier if you know how to remove the paint. You need to take the time to properly treat the initial stain to make the removal process easier, and be patient when cleaning the windows. It may take some time and effort, but you can do it!

Table of Contents

Scrape off the adhesive paint on the glass

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Measure out 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar. Use a measuring cup large enough to hold the vinegar and not spill when the rag is dipped in. Use a glass cup instead of a plastic one, as you will need to heat the vinegar. ^{[1] X Research Source}

One of the advantages of removing paint from glass is that almost everything you need is available in your home. You don’t have to use any chemical products – just white vinegar and dishwashing liquid is enough!

Tip: If you don’t have a measuring cup, you can use a microwaveable glass bowl.

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Heat white vinegar in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds until the vinegar boils. You don’t have to cover the vinegar cup, but be sure to keep an eye on the heat to stop when the vinegar starts to bubble. Depending on the power of the microwave oven, the cooking time may be slightly longer or slightly faster. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Tips: You can use this occasion to clean the inside of the microwave. The steam from the vinegar will loosen stains or burnt food residue and make cleaning easier.

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Put on rubber gloves and dip a clean rag in the vinegar. Rubber gloves will help you avoid burning your hands from hot vinegar. A small rag the size of a face towel is suitable for this job. Towels are too big and entangled when cleaning. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can also use a clean sponge in this step.

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Use a rag dipped in vinegar to scrub the paint. Use a little force when scrubbing, and remember that the paint stain should be soaked with vinegar. This step will soften the paint and possibly even remove the paint! If the paint is not clean, that’s okay. Let’s move on to the next step. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If the paint hasn’t come off after using white vinegar, simply spray the glass cleaner and wipe it until it’s clean.

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Fill the bucket with warm water with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of dishwashing liquid. Put the dish soap in the bucket first so that the soap bubbles when you pour the water into the bucket. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Dip a sponge or rag in soapy water and wipe away the paint stains. Try to do this step right after rinsing with vinegar so the paint doesn’t have time to dry. Soak the paint stain with soapy water. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If you are afraid of water running down the wall or floor, you can spread a towel underneath the work area.

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Tilt the razor blade at a 45-degree angle, slowly scraping over the paint stain. Press down firmly and only shave in one direction. Occasionally use a rag dipped in soapy water to wipe the paint stain to lubricate it. Try to bring the razor blade under the entire paint stain to scrape the entire paint off. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

This step must be done slowly. Of course, you don’t want to scratch the glass because it’s too quick to scrape back and forth.

Tip: Use a new razor for this task. Old razors are very easy to scratch glass.

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Use a rag and glass cleaner to clean the windows. This step will clean away the vinegar, soap, and flakes of paint. Wipe off the glass cleaner with a rag or paper towel. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If you find any paint residue left after you’ve cleaned the windows, repeat the steps of scrubbing with soap and scraping the paint until it’s clean.

Clean paint on window frames

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Remove all metal parts on the window frame such as screws or door handles. Usually windows don’t have much to take off, but if you have old-fashioned door handles, nails, screws, or hinges, you’ll need to remove them all and set them aside. If your windows are very old, store each part in a small plastic bag and label it so you know which parts need to be attached where. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Similarly, if you have furniture or rugs near the windows, you should also move them away so they don’t get damaged while you work.

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Spread the canvas underneath the window where you will be removing the paint. You’ll have to use chemical products, and paint splatters may come off, so you need to catch anything that falls so you don’t damage the floor. Use a clean canvas and remember to cover the floor directly below the work area. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can use plastic cloth if you don’t have a canvas. At best, an old bed sheet will help – while it won’t stop water from running down the floor, it will catch paint chips that fall while scraping.

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Prepare protective gear before applying paint remover. Wear gloves, goggles and a respirator. If possible, open a few windows or turn on a fan in the room to keep the air from stagnation. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The respirator covers your mouth and nose, allowing you to breathe fresh air even when your surroundings are filled with dust, exhaust fumes and paint chips.

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Pour solvent-based paint remover into a clean bucket. Solvent-based paint removers are great for this, as it breaks the bonds that help the paint stick to the wood, making it much easier for the paint to come off. Use a bucket that is clean and large enough to hold the paint remover without spilling. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Go to a home improvement store to buy a paint remover.

Warning: Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using this product. Some products have other instructions for when or how to take them that you need to follow.

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Dip the paintbrush in the paint remover and sweep over a small portion of the window. Use a cheap, clean broom that can be found at hardware stores or home improvement stores. Start scanning on one side instead of scanning the entire window at once. That way, you’ll only be exposed to less vapor and have a break while the paint soaks up the solvent. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Apply solvent over the paint in as thick a coat as possible, as long as it doesn’t run down.

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Wait 20 minutes for the solvent to penetrate the wood. Standby times may vary depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Watch out for signs that the paint remover is working: ^{[14] X Research Source}

Paint starts to bubble
Painted surface becomes patchy
Some paint may start to peel off the window frames

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Use a paint scraper to remove as much of the newly treated paint as possible. Start scraping the paint when the time has elapsed to allow the solvent to soak in. Scrape gently and do your best to avoid chipping the wood or cutting the wood surface. ^{[15] X Research Source}

If you have peeled off a small part of the paint, it will usually peel off a long patch.
If there are multiple coats of paint to remove, you may need to repeat the paint removal and paint scraping process several times until the bare surface of the window frame is left.

Lead paint treatment: Lead paint is most commonly used in homes built before 1978. You need to cover the carpet with canvas and glue to prevent paint dust from entering. Wear a respirator, goggles, and shoe covers. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and paint that has fallen on the floor and window sills. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Use a wire brush to scrape the paint off the crevices and dents. If the window frame has edges that are hard to reach with a paint scraper, you can replace it with a wire brush. The wire brush can get into tight spots and make cleaning easier. ^{[17] X Research Source}

As with a paint scraper, be gentle when scraping the paint off with a wire brush, and try not to chip the wood.

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Repeat the paint removal and paint scraping steps until the entire window frame is cured. This task may take a few days depending on how much time you spend working each day, but you’ll get it done sooner than you think! Focus on finishing one window before moving on to another. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Wipe the wooden surface with a damp rag. When the entire door frame has been treated and painted, dip a clean rag in water and wipe down the door frame and window sill, not forgetting to clean the crevices and crevices. ^{[19] X Research Source}

If there is a lot of paint flakes off, you should vacuum the dust before cleaning.

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Sand the window to smooth the wood surface. Use 220-grit sandpaper to scrub away any crumbs and paint residue. Once you’re done, you can refinish the door frame to your liking. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Wipe the door frame again after sanding to remove any remaining dust.

Metal window treatment

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Spread the canvas and prepare protective gear. Cover the floor under the windows with tarpaulin or furniture fabric to protect the floor from the paint remover. Put on rubber gloves, goggles and respirator before starting work. ^{[21] X Research Source}

If possible, open a few windows or turn on a fan to circulate air in the room while you work.

Tip: Wear long sleeves and long pants to protect your skin from paint strippers.

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Pour paint remover into a glass or metal bucket for easy cleaning. Choose a metal-specific paint remover and read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. Some products have longer lead times than others, so you need to be careful. ^{[22] X Research Source}

Never use a plastic or foam container to store paint remover, as the chemical can corrode the material and leak onto the floor.

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Apply paint remover to metal door frames and wait for it to soak. Buy disposable paint brushes so you can simply throw them away when you’re done. Apply as thick a layer as possible without dripping onto the door frame. Leave it like that for about 20-30 minutes for the paint to absorb the chemicals. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

When the chemical begins to work, the paint will begin to bubble and peel off the metal surface.

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Scrape off as much paint as possible. Use a paint scraper, nylon brush, or scouring pad to scrub away the flaking paint. If there’s still a layer of dry paint underneath the top coat, you’ll need to repeat the paint stripping and scraping steps several times until the metal surface is exposed. ^{[24] X Research Source}

Use a wire brush to deal with hard-to-reach crevices.

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Use white solvent to clean the window frames. White solvent is often used to dilute paint, so it is also a great product for cleaning small paint stains. You just need to soak the white solvent on a clean rag and wipe the door frame from top to bottom. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

You can buy white solvent at home improvement stores.

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Wash the door frame and dry it with a clean rag. Dip a clean rag in the water and wipe the window frames thoroughly to remove the paint thinner or white solvent. The next step is to use a dry rag to wipe the entire door frame. Once the paint removal is complete, you’re ready to repaint or refinish the window frames to your liking! ^{[26] X Research Sources}

Advice

Never attempt to scrape while the paint is dry. You will need some kind of lubricant to avoid scratching the glass or cutting the wood.
Prevent paint from dripping onto window glass by covering the outside of the glass with plastic and sealing it with masking tape. ^{[27] X Research Source}

Things you need

Scrape off the adhesive paint on the glass

Glass measuring cup
White Vinegar
Rubber gloves
2-3 clean rags
Sponge (optional)
Small bucket
Dishwashing liquid
Razor blade
Glass cleaning solution

Clean paint on window frames

Canvas
Protective gloves
Goggles
Gas masks
Paint removal solvents
Shove
Paint brush
Paint scraper
Iron brush
Clean rags
Sandpaper

Metal window treatment

Rubber gloves
Goggles
Gas masks
Furniture cover or canvas
Gel or paint remover
Glass or metal containers
Disposable paint brush
Paint scraper
Nylon brush or scouring pad
White solvent

Steps

Scrape off the adhesive paint on the glass

Clean paint on window frames

Metal window treatment

Advice

Things you need

Scrape off the adhesive paint on the glass

Clean paint on window frames

Metal window treatment

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