How to clean glass from paint?

When carrying out major or minor repairs in the house, each of us encountered unpleasant moments associated with accidental drips, splashes, brush strokes, during the painting of window frames or doorways. Removing the consequences of such troubles is a long occupation, which can take many hours, but do not get discouraged. In the article we will tell you how to clean glass from paint in the most effective ways.

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How to clean glass from paint?

The most common type of building materials is paint, and most often, window openings are subject to painting. Of course, no one plans to paint glass itself, so it is recommended to protect it from unforeseen situations with paint paper tape or newspapers.

But sometimes the paint tape can not help to completely avoid dirty stains, stains, smears and splashes on the window left after staining. And here the question arises, how to clean glass from paint, so as not to damage it and not to spoil the surface just painted by a number.

Of course, chemical dye is not dirt and dust, which can be easily disposed of with a usual soap solution or a special cleanser. However, you can correct the situation, and for this there are several methods:

• Mechanical.
• Chemical.
• Thermal.

For each method it is necessary to prepare a set of tools and special household chemicals. Let's consider each method in more detail.

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Mechanical impact

The old, proven method that our grandmothers used and that does not require special tools and chemicals is a mechanical effect on pollution. Apply this method can be used to remove fresh stains, and to remove the old paint from the glass.

Important! This method is the simplest, but the drawback of this method is that it is ineffective for processing large surfaces. Therefore, if you need to clean the glass from the paint that has fallen into pieces, you can act, but if the scale of damage is more global, you will have to give preference to another technology.

Tools

For carrying out the cleaning work you will need:

• Soft, lint-free cloth.
• Stationery knife( sharp sharpened).
• Hot water tank.

Clean the glass from the paint

Proceed as follows:

1. Wipe the contaminated area of ​​the glass with a rag with hot water( you can even boil it).
2. Fix the fabric with adhesive tape on the surface( for 15-20 minutes) to act on the stain.
3. Attach the cutting edge of the knife at an acute angle to the glass surface.
4. Carefully scrape off the paint by pressing the knife with the entire blade plane. Perform vigorous reciprocating movements with the tool, increasing the pressure, while moving the knife forward.
5. Gradually, step by step, process the entire area contaminated with the dye.
6. Remove the remains of scraped paint with clean water and soap.
7. Remove the soap solution with clean water, adding a little vinegar so that there are no stains.
8. Wipe surface dry.

Important! Instead of a clerical knife, you can use a razor blade, preferably with a handle, or a special office scraper to remove the glue. To avoid scratches during cleaning, do not press the metal tools against the glass surface with sharp corners.

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Chemical method

This method is simple and highly efficient, because it allows you to get rid of the most difficult and old dirt in a short period of time. Simplicity is that instead of water, chemical agents are used that can dissolve and remove paint from old paint from glass.

Tools

A large number of dye removers are on sale, the most famous of them are:

• White Spirit.
• Refined gasoline.
• Kerosene.
• Acetone.
• Special solvents that soften the paint.

These products clean the surface of enamel, oil and other paints, gently dissolving them.

Important! When choosing a solvent, contact the seller-consultant and explain to him that you need a liquid product to remove stains from glass. On the container with a solvent, there is always an instruction for use. Read it carefully and do it as recommended by the manufacturer.

We remove the paint

The way of using each solvent is indicated on the package, but the principle of use for most of the compositions is the same, in particular:

1. First of all, clean the surface of dust and dirt.
2. Put on your hands protective rubber gloves to protect the skin from burns.
3. Apply the product to a cloth or cotton pad.
4. Apply a cloth with a solvent to the contaminated area.
5. Leave the product for a while( indicated in the instructions) to allow the paint to soften.
6. With light movements, erase the stain from the glass.
7. Undiluted areas of the dye remove with a blade or clerical knife.
8. Wipe the cleaned surface with a sponge soaked in water with a little vinegar.
9. Wipe dry the window with a dry cloth.

Important! Working with thinner:

• Secure yourself with protective equipment. Do not let the chemical come on the skin and mucous membranes, as this can trigger a burn and allergic reactions.
• Make sure that the cleaner does not get on the clothes, as it can disrupt the fabric structure.
• After completion of work, be sure to ventilate the room, as all liquid chemicals are toxic and adversely affect the respiratory system.

Tips & Tricks:

1. To remove old paint from glass, use a special chemical agent, made in the form of a paste. Due to its thick consistency, it will not flow off the vertical surface.
2. Liquid oil will help remove the dye from the glass. Proceed as follows:
   • Fix the cotton on the contaminated area.
   • Soak a small piece of cotton wool with liquid oil.
   • Leave for a few hours.
   • Wash the stain with a soda solution or water with the addition of turpentine.
3. Not bad copes with traces of the dye acetone. If it is not in the house, use a nail polish remover. Apply acetone to the dishwashing sponge. The rough side of the sponge wipe the stain.
4. Use a liquid ammonia solution to not only clean the glass clean of paint, but also to give a shine to the surface. To do this:
   • Dilute 1 tbsp.spoon 10% ammonia in 1 liter of water.
   • Wet a sponge in the solution.
   • Clean the surface until completely cleaned.
   • Residue the product with water.
   • Wipe surface dry.

Important! If the paint has not yet solidified on the surface, then remove it with the usual detergent: soak the sponge with water and soapy water, and then leave for a while so that the soap is absorbed. Periodically add the solution to the contamination. After - with gentle movements remove the stain.

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Thermal method

If you are wondering how to remove old paint from glass, then the thermal method is for this case. This method is suitable for dealing with highly dried paint stains, which have a significant thickness and a large area.

Important! The thermal method is based on the softening of the base of the dye and the weakening of the adhesion properties of most paint and varnish compositions, under the influence of high temperatures. For fresh contaminants, this method is best not to use.

Tools

For work you will need:

• Building hair dryer or household iron. In extreme cases, an electric kettle with boiling water.
• Large piece of foil.
• Scotch.
• Putty knife or scraper.

Procedure:

1. Wash the windowpane with water and detergent to remove dirt and grease stains.
2. Fix the foil on the contaminated surface with adhesive tape. Use a piece of foil more than the area of ​​contamination so that the household appliance does not reach for the scotch tape.
3. Aim at an angle to the glass a hot jet of air coming from the construction hair dryer. If you use an iron, then press it against the surface of the aluminum foil.
4. After a while, the old piece of paint will dissolve.
5. Remove the stain with a spatula or scraper.
6. Remove the remaining stain with a special solvent or mineral spirits.
7. Wash the window glass with water, adding a little ammonia to the gloss( 1 part of the product for 10 parts of water).
8. Ventilate the room.

Important! If you use a building hair dryer or an electric kettle, you do not have to cover the stain with foil, but to apply the iron to the surface - food aluminum foil is required. Otherwise - from high temperatures, on the glass may form cracks.

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Useful advices:

1. Old paint can be removed from the glass with an alkaline solution. At home, you can prepare it yourself if you mix caustic soda and ammonia. Work with alkali only in rubber gloves, as it corrodes even clothes and shoes, not to mention skin integument. Concentrate moisten the contamination several times and the stain will become friable. Then remove the paint from the scraper.
2. Do not rip off the dye with a knife, as even a coin can scratch the glass. Acquire for this purpose a scraper for glass and ceramic tiles.
3. Flushing the stain from the dye, change the cotton swab frequently, so as not to deliver the dissolved paint on the surface.

Important! It is easy to clean glass from paint, especially if you use methods and means in a complex: first mechanically remove large dye strips, and then - with chemical solvents, soften the stain and remove contamination with a wiper or detergent. In the end, it is enough to wash the surface with water, with the addition of vinegar or ammonia.

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Precautions

To work efficiently and, most importantly, safe, follow simple rules and recommendations:

1. A freshly painted window sill, before clearing the windows of the paint, cover with a plastic film to avoid leaving stains and stains on the surface.
2. Before painting, cover the window glass with a thick layer of laundry soap to protect it. After the end of the work, the soap will easily wash off with the paint that has fallen on it.
3. Before using chemical washings, open the windows to ensure good ventilation of the room. Most of the chemicals are toxic and have a pungent odor.
4. When handling the surface with a building hair dryer, use caution, as in the case of overheating, the painted surface of the frame can be damaged, and strong glass heating can lead to the formation of microcracks.
5. If there is a possibility, then for convenience of work, the window opening is removed and laid on a horizontal plane.

During the repair work, observe the utmost care, especially during painting your own window openings, so as not to solve the problem later, how to clean the glass of paint. But if you still could not insure the window from smudges and smears, then use the methods and tips outlined in the article, depending on the specific situation. Good luck!