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If you have wooden windows, then nothing gives them a lift quite like a fresh coat of paint. However, keeping paint off the glass can be a challenge, and once it’s dried it can be tricky to remove. In this post, we look at how to remove paint from glass without scratching or scraping the surface.

The easiest way to stop paint marks on your glass from ruining your nicely painted frames is to avoid them in the first place. Traditionally, masking tape has been used to keep paint lines neat. However, masking tape never really did a great job, and paint always seems to find a way underneath. New products have come onto the market in recent years that aim to solve this problem. Frog Tape produces a range of products to help keep lines neat and stop paint seeping through. Essentially, it is a more advanced form of masking tape that costs a little more but does a far superior job. Using this when painting your windows will help keep your glass paint-free.However, even the most careful of decorators will end up with a few drips, splashes or splodges which, if given a chance to dry, will need to be carefully removed.

How to Remove Dried Paint from Glass

There are a couple of methods you can use to remove dried-on paint. The first uses a scraper, the second a solvent-based paint remover.

Remove Paint from Glass – The Scraper Method

This is relatively straight forward, and you’ll simply need a window scraper (available from most DIY shops), a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge or cloth.If you’re using this method, it’s best to wait a few days after you’ve painted your window frame. If your paint hasn’t fully dried then the warm soapy water may mark your freshly completed paint job.
Start by wetting the glass with warm soapy water. This will help reduce the risk of scratches and scrapes by lubricating the surface. Ensure the blade on your scraper is sharp, if it’s not then change it before starting.
At an angle of 45 degrees run the scraper over the dried-on paint. Always scrape in the same direction as this reduces the risk of scratching the glass. Make sure the glass is kept wet with your soapy water until all the paint is removed.Once all the paint is gone, rinse the glass down and dry using a chamois leather.

Remove Paint from Glass – The Solvent Method

The main point to remember when using solvent-based paint remover is to protect any paint you don’t want to be damaged.There are lots of different products on the market that specialise in removing different types of paint. However, if you’re not sure what you need, then a cellulose-based solution is a good all-rounder.
To apply the product simply follow the manufactures instructions. If working inside then ensure the room is well ventilated as most paint removers have powerful odours that can cause dizziness.

Once you’ve removed the paint, wipe down the surface removing any solvent residue and dry with a chamois leather.If you have any queries regards this post or any other glass cleaning related questions, then please feel free to get in touch with our team. .