It is never good to discover that spray paint has gotten where it wasn’t supposed to, such as on your wood fence. Even if you were spray painting your fence on purpose, it is hard to control and can accidentally end up somewhere you didn’t mean for it to end up.
You can remove spray paint from wood using different liquids like soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or paint thinner. The liquid which will work best for you will depend on the type of paint you are dealing with. Then, follow this 4 step method to make your wood look new.
Wondering what cleaner will work best to get your spray paint out of wood? Let’s look at which chemicals work best for which situations, as well as additional methods for removing spray paint from wood.
How Do You Remove Spray Paint from Wood?
Many people assume that once spray paint gets on wood, it is permanent. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and several methods can be used to remove it.
Not all methods are created equal, and there are several variations to choose from. If you don’t know which type of paint is on your wall, it is recommended to start with the base method using soap and water, and then if the removal doesn’t work, change to a more potent way, like rubbing alcohol or paint stripper.
For those lucky enough to know what type of spray paint has been painted on the wall, follow this rule of thumb:
- Water-Based Paint: Water and Soap
- Latex Paint: Rubbing Alcohol
- Oil-Based Paint: Acetone
No matter which method you decide to use. Below are the steps to remove the spray paint from your wall.
What Supplies Will You Need?
As mentioned above, the exact supplies you will need will vary based on the type of spray paint on your wood. For those who are unsure, it is better to grab all the following before you begin.
- Old rags (2-3)
- Water
- Dish soap
- Acetone
- Paint thinner
- Scrub brush
- Rubber Gloves
- Face mask
- Olive Oil
- Paint scraper
- Protective glasses
- Lacquer thinner
- Drop Cloth
- Heat gun (See alternative method)
Once you’ve gathered all of these supplies, you will be ready to remove the paint from your wood, no matter what type of paint it is.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Room in Well Ventilated
Before doing anything else, you must ensure you are working in a well-ventilated room. Many chemicals in the paint removal process are strong and can cause lightheadedness or brain injury.
If you aren’t outside, open windows in the room where you plan to work. You may also want to open doors if there aren’t enough windows to let in the fresh air.
You will also want to protect the area by placing a drop cloth down where you plan to work. This will ensure none of the chemicals you plan to work with end up on the floor or carpet.
Additionally, you should take the time to protect yourself by putting on personal protective gear. Your protective equipment should include goggles, a mask, and gloves to protect your hands. Once this is done, you are ready to move to step 2.
Step 2: Apply the Liquid of Choice
The next step is to apply the liquid of your choice to the wood which has the spray paint. Again, it is recommended to start with soap and water. Mix some dish soap in warm water and apply this method.
If that doesn’t work, use rubbing alcohol. However, this can create strong fumes, so starting with the soap and water method is recommended.
If the rubbing alcohol doesn’t work, you could go in several different directions. Some people purchase a true paint thinner, while others use acetone. Either method is quite intense and should do the trick.
One alternative method some people choose is olive oil, which has been said to help remove oil-based paint without needing the chemicals found in paint thinner or acetone. You can try this as well after the soap and water method fails.
Whatever liquid you choose, apply it liberally to the part of the wood with the paint, doing your best to keep it from the part unaffected or any other parts of your home, like the floor or ceiling.
Some liquids require time to set, such as the paint thinner, and you should wait 30 minutes before you begin step 3. If you use soap and water or rubbing alcohol, you can immediately move to step 3.
Step 3: Scrub With a Cloth or Brush
Take the dry cloth or a scrub brush and scrub the part of the wood with the paint. You should begin to see the paint on the rag, which lets you know it is working.
If there is no transference, this is when you should change to a more potent liquid or a scrub brush. You may need to repeat this step a few times.
For those removing graffiti from an outdoor fence, you can also use a pressure washer to remove the paint. This may be more effective if the paint covers a large portion of wood or the side of your home. You can also use a garden hose with your thumb pressed over it to increase the pressure.
Step 4: Use a Scraper or Putty Knife to Remove the Remaining Paint
After removing the bulk of the paint with a rag, some small bits may still be left on the wood. Use a paint scraper or putty knife to remove the remaining parts of the paint.
When scraping paint from more delicate pieces of wood, like antique furniture, you can place a rag over the end of the scrapper to keep it from damaging the delicate wood.
If you find the wood is too soft and scrapping too easily (which may be the case when using a pressure washer), then it is best to let the wood dry a bit before beginning step 4. This will prevent you from removing large chunks of wood on accident.
Alternative Method: Heat Gun
If you don’t want to get liquid on the wood, you can also use a heat gun to remove spray paint from the wood. Simply plug in the heat machine, pre-heat it to the highest setting, then hold it 4 inches from the paint and move in a circular motion.
When the paint behind the heat machine bubbles, you can take a putty knife or paint scraper and pick up these directions at step 4. This method works well with all kinds of paint; many people like it because it doesn’t produce fumes.
Final Thoughts on Removing Spray Paint from Wood
Overall, removing spray paint from wood isn’t very hard if you have the right tools. So whether you’ve got spray paint on a fence or maybe just spilled some paint on your hardwood floor, this method should do the trick to take it off.
Just remember to start with soap and water and move on to more robust cleaning solutions if it doesn’t work. This way, you won’t expose yourself to harsh chemicals unnecessarily.