How To Clean Paint From Windows

Nothing makes a home look worse than spots of paint remaining on windows after painting has
been completed, and by using a few simple tricks removing paint from windows can be completed quickly with a minimum of effort. One of the most frequent mistakes that homeowners make when attempting to remove paint from windows is to gouge the paint from the glass with a sharp object such as a razor blade without considering the damage that is being inflicted upon the window. While paint can be tough to remove from a window, a few extra moments of preparation and thought can prevent deep scratches from being created that cannot be repaired and will remain for the life of the window.

One of the best tips for removing paint from windows is to assemble the proper tools to make the job less labor intensive with much better results. You'll need a handful of clean, soft rags, a bucket filled with warm water, a new razor blade that has never been used, and a small bottle of dish soap. This is all that is necessary to remove paint from windows that are spotted with latex paint - for oil based paints or enamels you will also need a small bottle of rubbing alcohol.

The first step to remove paint from windows is to take a dripping wet rag and soak the window with water, and then place a liberal amount of dish soap onto a rag and spread it evenly over the entire window surface. Making certain that your hands are dry and free of any soap, grasp the razor blade firmly and begin scrapping the window rather gently while keeping the razor blade in a position that is as close to horizontal as possible. Run the razor blade over the entire glass surface and then rinse the window with water. While this process may need to be repeated several times to remove paint from windows, it is a safe method for both the windows and the homeowner handling a sharp razor blade.

To remove oil based paint from windows the process is similar with a few minor alterations. Simply pour rubbing alcohol onto a rag and apply it to a 6 inch square of the window glass and then scrape the area with the razor blade, wiping each area of the window until dry as you go along. When the entire window has been completed in this manner to remove the paint, wash the window with a commercial glass cleaner and dry with a paper towel.