There is a possibility that you could obtain stray paint splatters on the glass surfaces if you use spray paint to paint anything around the house or even to give an old mirror frame a new look. If so, figuring out how to get spray paint off mirror might be the only thing on your mind.
How to remove paint from a mirror isn’t too much of a challenge compared to other surfaces, although the speed and effort required can differ significantly. You can find various ways how to get spray paint off mirror, such as having to scrub repeatedly with steel wool or metal scrapers or using a chemical such as acetone nail polish remover to loosen the paint before you wipe it off.
In our guide, you can learn more about each of these methods of how to remove paint from mirror. By the end, you’ll have an army of ways to reach the ultimate conclusion; spray paint will have been removed from your mirror, which is now spotless. (Learn How To Hide Drywall Seams With Paint)
Will Spray Paint Damage a Mirror?
Generally speaking, spray paint won’t usually damage a mirror. Your mirror’s surface is made of glass, making it extremely tough and long-lasting. The glass surface should be safe so long as you apply even pressure while cleaning, as you would if you need to remove paint stains from glass windows.
Mirror glass won’t be damaged by dry paint, and you have many ways to get paint off a mirror. or become damaged. That indicates that, in most circumstances, you have enough time to determine the best approach to remove spray paint off the mirror.
Wet spray paint may be easier to remove, although it could dry
faster than having chance to grab all you need. However, in such cases, spray warm water and wiping with a clean cloth or wet paper towel could be all it takes before the paint bonds to the mirror surface.
Best Ways To Remove Spray Paint Off Mirror
1. Steel Wool
Using standard steel wool or steel wool soap pads for cleaning pots and pans is one of the simplest ways to remove spray paint stains off your mirror surface. To clean the mirror, wet the soap pad, rub it over it, and then wipe it with a cloth.
Steel wool might remove dry spray paint specks from your surface, but it won’t work on thick paint blobs.
Wet the steel wool and apply light to moderate pressure as you rub the paint with it. After that, wipe away any remaining paint with a moist cloth. Once all the paint has been removed, use a dry cloth to wipe the extra water.
2. Rubbing Alcohol
Spray paint can be removed off a mirror using rubbing alcohol as a solvent. Spray paints that are water generally react better for this treatment. Therefore, if your mirror is covered in oil-based spray paint, you might want to try another technique.
Apply rubbing alcohol to a folded paper towel if you’re working with water-based spray paint. Use a swift back-and-forth motion to rub the paint and avoid touching the frame to prevent any damage.
Apply extra rubbing alcohol to a clean paper towel if the one dries or gets covered in paint. Rubbing alcohol evaporates, which can eliminate the need for rinsing after you get spray paint off a mirror. However, it doesn’t hurt to wipe the surface with a moist paper towel and dry it using a soft cloth to polish it. (Read 5 Gallons Paint Weight Guide)
3. Acetone
Acetone weakens paint, making cleaning paint stains from a mirror’s surface easier. However, you need to take steps to avoid it touching the frame, and also for your fingers and breathing.
When using a large amount of acetone, it is best to work in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves. After adding acetone to the paper towel, quickly rub it against the spray paint.
Apply new acetone to another clean area of the paper towel as necessary or swap it for a new one. Once finished, it is best to clean the surface with a paper towel dabbed in hot water to remove any streaks; however, acetone nail polish remover should evaporate.
If the paint is close to the frame, it may be easier to dab using a cotton ball or cotton bud, so you don’t get too close.
4. Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover can wipe spray paint like pure acetone or paint thinner. While it is best to use a nail polish remover that is acetone based, you’ll find many nail polish removers have moved away from this ingredient.
Apply nail polish remover to a cotton ball, cotton pad, or paper towel and wipe the paint stain, being careful not to touch the frame. To finish, apply water to a clean paper towel and wipe clean. You may also find that this remover works better on acrylic than oil-based paints.
5. Baking Soda
You can use baking soda to remove dried-on paint from a mirror since it is so abrasive. Before starting, put on gloves since baking soda might irritate the skin. Make a paste out of some baking soda and a little water. Then, to remove the paint, like sanding, rub the paste onto the surface.
You can grab a damp, clean rag and use that to wipe away the baking soda paste, or for cleaning, vinegar in a spray bottle can be used to spritz the baking soda before you wipe your mirror clean. (Learn How To Paint Lacquered Furniture)
Tip: Using this method, you can find that vinegar on a clean cloth is the best cleaner you can use when it comes to window or mirror cleaning.
6. Magic Eraser
A magic eraser or melamine sponge is an abrasive material. The melamine resin is sharp, allowing the magic eraser to sand paint off the mirror. Since glass withstands the abrasive nature of your melamine sponge, it’s an excellent alternative for removing spray paint off a mirror or other hard surface.
Dampen the eraser and use circular motions over the spray paint to remove it. Once the paint is gone, use a dry cloth to wipe away any remaining water.
7. Oven Cleaner
Try using Easy-Off oven cleaner or an alternative to get spray paint off your mirror.
An oven cleaner can burn the skin and irritate the eyes and lungs. Since that is the case, if you decide to take this path, you should wear gloves and eye protection and work in a ventilated location.
- Spray oven cleaner on an old clean cloth.
- Apply it and avoid touching the frame.
- For 20 to 30 minutes, leave the oven cleaner on the mirror.
- Next, remove the paint and oven cleaner with a rag.
- Repeat as necessary until all paint has been removed.
- The last step is to remove any leftover oven cleaner with a clean cloth and water.
8. Metal Scrapers
A metal scraper or sharp razor blade is among the best ways to remove dried paint from glass surfaces. Hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle before you gently scrape where the spray paint is on your mirror.
Once you scrape off excess paint, wipe away any residue or dried paint flakes with a damp cloth. For thicker paint, adding soapy water can help. Add some liquid soap and a drop of water so your scraper can slide easily and reduce the risk of scratches.
Once your remove the paint, use warm soapy water to remove residue, followed by a dry cloth to polish the surface.
9. Graffiti Remover
A commercial graffiti remover might be best if your mirror has a lot of spray paint. Typically, you’ll apply the graffiti remover, let it sit for a while, and then wipe it off, followed by rinsing the mirror with water.
Keeping the graffiti remover away from the frame is vital, so adding painter’s tape here can help avoid damage. Wearing gloves, eye protection, and a mask are recommended.
10. Hair Dryer
If you need to get spray paint off the mirror and can’t find any of the above, you can try a hair drier. Weaken the paint’s bond with a soap solution, and then use the hot hair dryer before using a soft cloth to wipe it away.
Steps for Removing Paint from Mirror
Regardless of using nail polish, paint thinners, or paint-stripping paste, you’ll follow similar steps to get rid of the paint. (Read What Is Medium Base Paint)
How to get spray paint specks off glass.
- Put on some rubber gloves.
- Apply a folded-up strip of paper towel with nail polish remover (or paint thinner) to small particles on the surface.
- The nail polish remover should swiftly dissolve small bits of paint, making removal as simple as wiping them away.
- Once finished, clean and polish the glass mirror surface by soaking a soft cotton cloth in vinegar.
- White vinegar is inexpensive and won’t leave stains.
Remove Old Paint
- Cover the glass mirror frame with masking tape to avoid damage.
- Pull on some rubber gloves if working with old paint.
- To remove paint, open a bucket of paint-stripping paste.
- Apply the paint remover over the previous paint with a disposable brush.
- After it has been applied, let the stripper sit for about two hours to allow the old paint to soften.
- After the old paint has been loosened, remove it and the paint stripper by pulling them apart with a plastic putty knife or another sharp blade.
- Continue until all the paint has been removed.
- After that, polish the mirror by wiping it down with a paper towel dipped in vinegar or warm soapy water to remove any lasting paint stains.
How To Remove Enamel Paint From Glass
Oil-based enamel paint and water-based enamel paint are the two types of enamel paint that are used. You need to know what kind of enamel paint is on it to remove the paint from a mirror.
When using oil-based enamel paint
If you need to remove a significant portion of a thick layer of paint, use a razor scraper. You must use caution to prevent scratching your glass. The next step is to remove any leftover stains on your glass surface using acetone or lacquer thinner.
Before trying to remove spray paint stains, add painter’s tape around the inside of the frame.
Enamel Paint that is Water-based
Water-based spray paint on mirror can be removed using a scraper and soapy water. Apply the soapy water, and then let the paint layers absorb it. Then use a plastic scraper to gently scrape away before wiping with a clean rag.
