Spray paint can easily stick on your mirrors if you do not fully cover them during a painting job. This scenario usually happens when you make indoor home improvements involving spray paint.
There are many ways to get spray paint off of a mirror. These include steel wool, acetone or nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, oven cleaner, vinegar, WD40, graffiti remover, paint thinner, scraper, and others. The approach may differ depending on the type of mirror.
Read on to learn some methods of removing unwanted spray paint on a mirror. You will also learn some tips to avoid accidentally spray-painting your mirrors.
Is Spray Paint Hard to Get off of a Mirror?
We usually only notice the spray paint on the mirror a few days after the painting job and once it dries completely. Spray paints bond strongly with mirrors. As a result, it will be difficult to remove it when it dries.
The level of difficulty in getting spray paint off a mirror also varies. There are generally two categories or kinds of mirrors now available in the market: plastic and glass.
Removing spray paint from a glass mirror can be much easier and safer than doing it on a plastic mirror. In most cases, you will cause minor damage to the plastic mirror while cleaning the paint.
Plastic mirrors are not very suitable for harsh chemicals. Acetone or paint thinners may cause irreversible damage to the plastic material. That’s why some people prefer discarding plastic mirrors that are heavily painted.
The type of paint is another thing to consider when discussing how to remove spray paint from a mirror surface. The paint removal process may differ depending on the spray paint you are cleaning.
Water-based spray paints can easily be removed using ordinary home materials like soap, warm water, vinegar, or other home remedies. On the other hand, oil-based alternatives may require strong solvents such as acetone, paint thinner, and paint stripper.
Can You Scrape Spray Paint Off a Mirror?
Hard-to-remove paint on your mirror can be very difficult to remove. If you’ve already tried all possible solutions and nothing worked, scraping the paint may be the solution. Many people attest that this method works okay when you do it properly.
Yes, scraping the paint could work in removing spray paint on your mirror. However, you must perform this method with extra caution to avoid ugly scratches. I suggest you do this as a last resort.
You can use a thin razor blade if you decide to scrape the stubborn spray paint on your mirror at a 45 degrees angle. Put less force while scraping to ensure you don’t scratch the mirror’s surface.
Best Ways to Remove Spray Paint from a Mirror
Removing spray paint from a mirror is relatively easy and can be a fun activity. Of course, I am not encouraging you to intentionally spray-paint your mirror to have fun. I am only stressing that there are many ways to handle it.
In no particular order, I will present 10 of the best possible ways to remove spray paint from a mirror below. You can choose which to try and see if it works for your case.
Just remember that if you have a plastic mirror, you need to be extra careful and choose the best appropriate method. Plastics may not resist very well to harsh chemicals. Therefore, consider the more plastic-friendly options.
Method 1: Steel Wool Soap Pad
What you need:
- Steel wool soap pad
- Soap and water
- Absorbent cloth
Steel wool pads can be an easy solution to removing spray paint from your mirror. They are very efficient in removing grease and grime. They also work best to remove stubborn spray paint on your mirror.
This method is quick and efficient. Do this cautiously, particularly when dealing with a plastic mirror. Do not scrub very hard and only scrub the affected areas.
To begin the process, wet the pad with soap and water, then scrub. Continue the job until the paint falls off the mirror. To conclude the job, clean the mirror after scrubbing it with an absorbent cloth.
Method 2: Acetone or Nail Polish Remover
What you need:
- Pure acetone, nail polish, or any acetone-based substance
- Cotton balls or folded tissue sheets
- Cloth or old newspaper
Acetone is a “go-to” solvent when it comes to cleaning paints. This method could work efficiently, especially if the paint is still fresh. You can use regular nail polish or pure acetone solution to do this method.
Since acetone is a strong solvent, you should test it on a small area to ensure it does not damage your mirror further. This step is important, especially if you need to classify if the mirror is made of plastic or glass.
If the damage test is negative, you can start scrubbing a cotton ball or tissue paper wet with acetone on the affected area. Continue scrubbing until the paint is loosened.
When you’re done scrubbing and the spray paint has detached from the mirror, clean it up using a cloth or old newspaper.
Method 3: Rubbing Alcohol
What you need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Folded paper towel
- Rag or any clean cloth
Rubbing alcohol is another product you can try to remove spray paint from your mirror. This solution works effectively in removing water-based spray paint stains but not for oil-based.
Wet your folded paper towel with rubbing alcohol and start rubbing it on the affected areas. While doing this, you must pay attention and ensure that the substance does not reach the mirror’s frame. You will damage the frame’s finish when this happens.
Once the spray paint is removed, you can wipe the residue with another clean paper towel. Rinsing may not be necessary as the alcohol can quickly evaporate.
However, you should wipe the mirror’s surface with a clean wet cloth or rag before you let it dry. This final step ensures that the fluid will not run down the mirror’s frame, causing further damage.
Method 4: Oven Cleaner
What you need:
- Oven cleaner solution/spray
- Clean cloth
- Paper towel
Oven cleaners are another alternative you can try when cleaning spray paint from your mirror. Generally, they contain strong chemicals that are capable of stripping down the spray paint from your mirror.
The only disadvantage of this method is the potential health issues. If you decide to try this, you must wear a proper protective suit (chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and a mask).
Begin the process by spraying the cleaner on a clean cloth until it is wet enough. Wipe the cloth on the mirror areas with spray paint. Let the cleaner sit on the mirror for about 30 minutes.
Ensuring the oven cleaner does not reach the mirror frame is also critical. To prevent it, surround the area where you applied the cleaner with a cloth or paper towel.
Go back and clean the softened spray paint after 30 minutes. Extend as necessary or if you see that the paint has yet to loosen up.
Method 5: WD-40
What you need:
- A can of WD-40
- Paper towel
- Cloth
- Soap and water
WD-40 is an infamous household product. I use this a lot to clean or degrease anything in the house. I also use this often to remove stains and rust.
Without a doubt, this product will be one of the options to remove spray paint from your mirror. This method may not work well on hard-to-get spray paint, but you can give it a shot.
Spray the solution on a paper towel and apply it to the painted area of your mirror. Allow the WD-40 to sit on the surface until the paint’s bond with the mirror is weakened.
Clean off the loosened paint with a clean paper towel. To finish the job, wet a cloth with soap and water and wipe it on the mirror. Then, dry the surface with a clean paper towel or a cloth.
Method 6: Graffiti Remover
What you need:
- Graffiti remover
- Clean cloth
- Paper towels
If the affected area of your mirror is huge, using a graffiti remover may work best for you. Graffiti remover is obviously for cleaning spray paints, so it should work in most cases.
Spray the graffiti remover on a clean cloth and apply it all over the affected or painted areas. Let the remover sit on the mirror for at least 30 minutes or for the time specified in the product’s container.
Clean the stripped-down paint with another clean cloth or paper towel. During the process, ensure that you keep the finish of your mirror’s frame intact.
Method 7: Paint Thinner
What you need:
- Paint thinner
- Cloth
- Soap and water
- Paper towel or newspaper
Paint thinner is ideal for removing oil-based spray paint from your mirror. The application and cleaning process is similar to that of WD-40 and oven cleaners.
Spray the thinner on a cloth and wipe it on the affected surface. The solution mustn’t get in contact with the mirror’s frame.
When the paint is removed from the mirror, get a clean cloth and wet it with soapy water. Wipe the mirror surface with the soapy cloth to ensure that no elements of the paint thinner are left.
Dry the mirror surface with another clean cloth, paper towel, or an old newspaper.
Method 8: Hair Dryer
What you need:
- Hairdryer
- Paint scraper or putty knife
A hairdryer method can be effective for difficult-to-remove spray paint. Set the hairdryer to its lowest possible setting to ensure you do not damage your mirror. The goal is to heat the paint and break its bond with the mirror.
Remove the softened paint from the mirror using your paint scraper or putty knife. You should combine this method with other techniques, like using paint thinner to get a cleaner result.
Method 9: Cleaning Vinegar
What you need:
- Vinegar
- Cloth
- Cotton balls
This method can be appropriate if the affected surface is not wide. Cleaning vinegar is a strong substance that helps clean rust, dirt, and grime. You must not confuse this with kitchen-grade vinegar.
Start the process by wetting a cotton ball with vinegar. Rub the affected area of the mirror in a circular motion until the paint loosens. Wipe the remaining residue with a clean cloth.
Tips to Protect Your Mirror When Spray Painting
Although cleaning your mirror from paint sounds fun, I am sure you agree it is better to have nothing to clean. It is easy to miss or take for granted the surround mirrors in the house when you are spray painting.
Sometimes you become complacent because you think the mirror is far enough from the object you are painting. However, you must realize that the paint particles move in the air, especially if you are painting indoors. These particles sometimes settle on your mirror.
Below are some tips to avoid accidentally spray-painting your mirror:
- If you are painting your walls, always remove your mirrors whenever possible.
- If your mirrors are fixed on the walls, and you cannot remove them, ensure to cover them properly.
- When covering your mirrors, ensure that you also cover the frames. A clean mirror may still look ugly if it has an ugly frame.
- Use an old newspaper or any paper.
- Seal the corners properly using a painter or masking tape. Remember, paint particles may still settle on your mirror’s surface if you do not seal them properly.
Conclusion
You can try many methods to remove spray paint from your mirror. There is no definite answer as to which is the most effective, as there are things you need to consider, including the mirror’s make and the spray paint’s type.
Oil-based spray paint may require chemicals or solvent like acetone, paint thinner, and WD-40 to remove it from your mirror. Steel wool pads can be the most effective method for stubborn spray paint. Additionally, you can try to scrap the paint off the mirror carefully.