How to Get Paint Off a Mirror? - Housekeepingbay
Updated on Sep 11, 2022
10 Minute Read

How to Get Paint Off a Mirror?

Learn all the tricks and hacks about how to get paint off a mirror without scratching it!

Painting is the most popular way to upgrade interior decor.

But sometimes, we accidentally spill or spray the paint on glass and mirror surfaces.

How to remove paint from a mirror and glass?

That might seem like a tough question to answer, but in fact, it is easier than you think.

Don’t be stressed if you stain your favorite mirror or any other glass surface while doing repair, because we will teach you how to wash off the paint from the glass and how to do it correctly.

This article includes tips and tricks that you can feel free to use and remove paint off the mirror easily.

How to Remove Paint from Mirror?

Starting repairs in the house, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to spend time also on eliminating your “blunders” in work. You shouldn’t get upset.

If the glass or mirror has been stained with paint, there are many tips on how to remove the paint from the glass.

There are several simple methods of how to get paint off a mirror or window glass.

Each one of them has its benefits and drawbacks, so decide which one suits you best.

How to Remove Paint from Mirror

Credits: Elnur_, via Crello.com

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass:Method 1

Of course, the easiest and the most obvious way is to use modern household chemicals to remove paint from mirror.

There are a lot of glass cleaning sprays on the market today.

Choose an acceptable price and quality for you and proceed the surface in this way:

  • Spray the liquid onto the stains.
  • Wait a while for the cleaner to dissolve the paint.
  • Rinse off with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

If necessary, repeat the procedure until stains are completely removed.

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass Method 1

Credits: AllaSerebrina, via Crello.com

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How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass: Method 2

If the drops of decorative material have not yet hardened on the glossy surface, do this in order to quickly get spray paint off mirror:

  • Cover the edges of the surface with a special wrap or tape.
  • Prepare a warm soapy concentrated solution from any soap you have on hand or dish detergent.
  • Soak a cotton pad or sponge in the prepared mixture.
  • Apply it directly to the stains for a while.
  • If you process with a sponge, moisten all traces of paint abundantly.

Wipe until all drops are removed.

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass Method 2 (2)

Credits: mproduction, via Crello.com

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass: Method 3

Ammonia is a very quick and effective option that deals with any dirt on the glass.

If you have it available, proceed as follows:

  • Prepare a solution of 1 oz of water and 1 tbsp. ammonia.
  • Soak a sponge or cloth in it.

Wipe the glass until the paint is completely gone, and use a dry cloth to avoid solution stains.

How to Remove Spray Paint From Glass || Life Hack || Cleaning HackHow to Remove Spray Paint From Glass || Life Hack || Cleaning Hack

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass: Method 4

Stains from enamel, oil and acrylic paint can be treated with special acetone-based remedies.

You can use nail polish remover, acetone, or refined gasoline.

Proceed in this case as follows:

  • Soak a cotton pad in the substance that you have available.
  • Apply to the drops of paint on the glass.
  • Wait up to 10 minutes.
  • Gently wash the softened paint off the surface.
  • Wipe the surface with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth.
How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass Method 4

Credits: 4pmphoto, via Crello.com

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How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass: Method 5

If you are still wondering how to get paint off a mirror without scratching it, use a special thinner for this type of stains:

  • Buy a thinner after consulting with a specialist in a hardware store.
  • Use a sponge to apply or spray the surface.
  • Wait for the time indicated in the instructions.
  • Remove softened stains with a clean sponge or cloth.

Rinse the surface with a shine remover to remove streaks from the mirror glass.

How to Remove Paint from Mirror & Glass Method 5 (2)

Credits: sinenkiy, via Crello.com

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Helpful Hints for Getting Paint Off Mirror

When working with chemicals and other aggressive substances to remove paint from mirror, be sure to protect your skin and respiratory organs.

Remember to wear disposable gloves, a respirator, and special glasses.

After you have removed the paint from the mirror or any other glass surface, ventilate the room so that all chemical vapors that are harmful to health are out.

For safety and convenience of work, it is better to place the mirror in a horizontal position if possible. It will lower the chances to accidentally break the mirror.

If you have to get paint stains off the window, clean the glass in the following sequence: inside, front, and the facade.

Helpful Hints for Getting Paint Off Mirror (2)

Credits: boggy22, via Crello.com

Tips to clean acrylic paint off the mirror

It is believed that acrylic paint is the easiest-solving issue when it comes to getting paint off a mirror or glass.

But due to differences in manufacturing, there can be problems with acrylic paint stains.

The composition of acrylic paints includes water, a coloring pigment, a small amount of acrylic acid and a film former, which ensures the layer hardens within an hour after application.

Therefore, the sooner you start the process of washing off the paint from the surface, the easier it will be to do.

Even small stains from acrylic are very difficult to remove from various kinds of surfaces, therefore, when interacting with this type of paint, you must be careful and know how to safely clean the surface.

To wash off acrylic paint, you can purchase a specially designed remover.

It is sold in hardware stores and is versatile.

This substance has an unpleasant pungent odor and corrodes the skin of the hands, so be careful when you use it.

  • Protect your hands with rubber gloves and apply the product to the surface using a sponge.
  • Within 30 minutes, the hardener should soften, and after that, the paint will be easily wiped off with a cloth.
Tips to clean acrylic paint off the mirror (2)

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How to remove an old paint stain from mirror?

This method is not good to use if you are dealing with fresh stains on the glass. You will need an iron or a hairdryer and ordinary food foil.

  • Fix the foil on the stained area.
  • Direct a jet of warm air at the foil.

After a few minutes, the old layer of paint will soften, so you pry it off with a blade and carefully remove it from the glass.

Such a simple procedure will help to avoid streaks and make the glass surface shiny.

How to how to remove an old paint stain from mirror

Credits: Krakenimages, via Crello.com

How to get rid off paint on the matte glass?

The whole difficulty of cleaning matt glass lies in the texture.

Matte mirrors and glass should be processed carefully because you can occasionally destroy the coating.

Apply any of the following to the frosted glass surface:

  • Chalk solution, which consists of 3 tablespoons of crushed chalk in 1 glass of water.
  • Water with ammonia, which includes 1 spoon for 33 oz of water.
  • Vinegar or soap solution.

To remove dried-on stains off the matte glass surface, it is better to use special steam cleaners. Once you’re done, just wipe the frosted glass with a clean cloth to dry.

If there are old stains from coffee, tea, greasy or oily substances, old glue on the frosted glass, use acetone or alcohol solutions.

When cleaning frosted glass inserted indoors, make sure that the products do not get on the silicone or rubber seals.

If this happens, wipe them with a copious amount of ordinary clean water and dry.

Never use cleaning agents containing silicone or fluorine, as well as abrasive substances.

It is also not recommended to use strong alkaline agents and acids, especially hydrofluoric acid for cleaning mirrors.

How to get rid off paint on the matte glass (2)

Credits: GarnaZarina, via Crello.com

Related: Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fabric?

How to remove paint from mirror frame & customize it?

Using one of the chemical or mechanical methods, you can easily clean the frame without damaging the mirror surface.

Wipe the frame with a damp cloth and clean it of dust and dirt.

Apply a few drops of vinegar or window cleaner to the fabric and wipe the frame again. Vinegar is especially good at removing rust from metal frames.

Do not use vinegar on plastic as it may dissolve the material.

For wooden frames, you can also use sandpaper.

Peel off the dirty layer using medium pressure to eliminate any imperfections and make sure the entire frame is flat and even.

How to remove paint from mirror frame & customize it

Credits: Elnur_, via Crello.com

Related: Can I Use Acrylic Paint On My Face?

How to Avoid Stains after Removing Paint Off a Mirror?

To clean the glass faster and easier after getting paint off the mirror, use hot water.

In this case, it is best to do this manually using a small amount of dishwashing detergent.

If it’s a hanging mirror, rinse the surface and leave it to dry by turning it over on a dry towel.

You can also wipe the glass immediately using a lint-free cloth. For bad stains, you can use a brush with soft bristles, but be very careful.

Suede cloth is also suitable for wiping, especially for matte mirrors and glass.

You can also take a wooden or plastic spatula to clean the mirror. These products will also help to remove grease stains and fingerprints.

How to Avoid Stains after Removing Paint Off a Mirror

Credits: casanowe1, via Crello.com

How to make your mirror clean and shiny?

How can you keep your mirror in a good state?

Hard water stains or deposits of organic origin, such as wine or coffee, can be removed from the glass using simple home remedies.

If you have baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar, you can save the day!

Prepare an easy solution of white vinegar and distilled water, and wipe the glass surfaces regularly.

Vinegar is also good for making glass shine.

In addition, you can scrub the surface with soda.

How to make your mirror clean and shiny

Credits: mrsiraphol, via Crello.com

For cleaning, after you remove the paint stains off the mirror, take another brush with soft bristles or an old toothbrush, and process the mirror.

To make frosted glass look good, do not use strong detergents, otherwise, it will deteriorate.

It is good to use a steam generator for cleaning glass.

You can remove dried stains of any origin and give the glass the desired look. After the steam generator, wipe the frosted glass with a dry, clean cloth.

To preserve the shine, ammonia and starch are also good choices.

Take 33 oz of cool water, and a tablespoon of starch, and rinse the glass with the resulting solution.

If you want to keep the glass clean every day, then wipe the glass every time after using it.

To avoid damaging the glass, wash it by hand.

Expensive wine glasses, handmade crystals should not be washed in the dishwasher.

It can also aggravate stains, as frequent dishwashing can leave a thin film of soap on the surface of the glass.

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Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ How to remove paint from a mirror frame?

Use a special remover to clean the mirror frame from the paint.

⭐ How to clean paint off a mirror if it’s old?

Old paint stains are easy to clean if you process them with heat.

⭐ How to get paint off a mirror without scratching it?

You can use one of the methods we’ve described above for the best result.

6 thoughts on “How to Get Paint Off a Mirror?

Leave a Reply

  1. Philipp says:

    How to get spray paint off a mirror if I don’t have any chemical cleaners right now, and the paint is still fresh?

  2. Samuel says:

    Hello! Does anyone here know how to get wall paint off a mirror? I didn’t see there was a mirror in the room when I was painting (it wasn’t on the wall yet). As a result, the mirror is covered with stains now.

    1. Emma says:

      Did you try rubbing alcohol? It should help. If the paint is very stubborn, a plastic putty knife might help to lift up the blots a bit.

  3. Dan says:

    How to get acrylic paint off mirror safely if the paint has already dried and got stuck to the surface of the mirror? 

    1. Ben says:

      My go-to method is good old rubbing alcohol! THis stuff works all the time! Just soak a clean cloth with it and wipe the stained area/areas of your mirror until the paint is gone. I’d also recommend you rinse the mirror afterward to remove the rubbing alcohol residue.

  4. Leilani says:

    I could never think that you can clean paint off glass with things you have at home! Can you tell if it’s possible to clean with oil?

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