Photo: yarracity.vic.gov.au
Spray paint is handy for DIY projects, but you have to know how to remove it when it gets to unwanted areas like walls.
Sometimes it can be an accidental overspray, and in some cases, it is something more malicious, like someone spraying graffiti on your wall.
Regardless of the situation, it is crucial to know how to deal with it, and the good news is it is a simple process that takes a short time in most instances.
In this post:
Things You Will Need
- Clean rags/sponge
- Paint thinner/graffiti remover
- Paint scraper
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Gloves
Step-by-step Guide
1. Clean the Wall
Sometimes cleaning up is often enough to remove the spray paint from your wall if it is still wet.
Freshly sprayed paint typically has a glossy look, and so if what you are dealing with is in this condition, you should try cleaning it out with some warm soapy water and clean rags.
Even if this method does not remove all the spray paint, it should help soften it for the steps to follow.
2. Apply Paint Thinner or Graffiti Remover
The next step should be to apply some paint thinner to soften the paint to make it easy to scrub off.
If you are using a paint thinner, apply a generous amount of it to one of your clean rugs and then rub it on the spray paint while making sure you cover it generously.
For graffiti removers, the product typically comes in a spray can, and you only need to spray a generous amount of it over the paint.
3. Let the Product Sit for a Few Minutes
Next, you need to allow the product to sit for a few minutes to soften the paint. The actual time varies from one graffiti remover or thinner type to the other, but it is typically under 15 minutes.
Remember that most of these products can be very harsh, so leaving them for too long can damage the wall. This harshness also makes it essential to wear gloves when handling them.
4. Scrub Off the Paint
After giving the product you are using enough time to soften the paint, the next step is to scrub off the loosened paint. Here, a clean rag will be vital, and you have to use some elbow grease to remove as much paint as possible.
Also, in some instances, you can start with a rag to remove most of the paint before finishing the job with a sponge to tidy things up.
5. Scrape Off (optional)
Scraping the paint off is an optional step you only need to use if the scrubbing off above does not seem to work well enough.
Here a paint scraper can help remove the problematic paint layers. However, it is vital to keep in mind that once you decide to scrape, you can almost be certain of ruining the wall finish, and hence a retouch is necessary afterward.
6. Clean the Wall Thoroughly
When you are satisfied with the spray paint removal job, the last step is to give the wall a thorough clean-up.
It is an important step you should not skip as it helps remove any loose paint still clinging to the surface. Also, cleaning the wall with some warm water and dish soap restores its aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion
Getting rid of spray paint from walls requires you to understand the right products to use and the best technique to ensure you can do it without damaging your walls.
That said, a good graffiti remover or paint thinner does the trick in most instances. But, you might be forced to use a paint scraper in some cases. Regardless of how you end up doing it, the most important thing is to ensure you do not damage the wall.
Sources
- How to Remove Spray Paint From Walls – eHow
- How to remove spray paint from walls – Cleanipedia