Removing spray paint from brick surfaces can be a daunting task. Brick, with its rough texture and porous nature, can make it difficult to remove paint without damaging the underlying surface.
However, knowing how to get spray paint off brick and the right products to use makes the process more manageable.
You may need to employ a bit of elbow grease with some methods, but it’s possible to restore your brick pavers to their original state.
This article provides a step-by-step guide to removing spray paint from brick surfaces using solvents, graffiti removers, chemicals, and abrasive materials.
Read on!
How to Get Spray Paint Off Brick
Get Goo Gone graffiti remover and spray it over the affected area. Allow the product to soften the paint for a few minutes. Then rub the paint off the brick with a cloth or scrub brush to lift it off. Finally, rinse the surface with warm water to remove product residues.
What You Need to Know About Removing Spray Paint from Bricks
Brick is a durable building material. However, its rough and porous texture tends to trap paint particles, making it harder to remove. Additionally, aggressive cleaning techniques can chip the brick, causing it to develop deep gouges and deteriorate over time.
Fortunately, we will show you how to get spray paint off brick walls with the least amount of brick damage.
But before we get started, here are some essential safety precautions you should adhere to throughout the process.
- Always wear protective clothing, including gloves, mask, long sleeves, and eye protection, to protect yourself from toxic chemicals and abrasive materials.
- Ensure proper ventilation when using chemicals or solvents to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
- Keep children and pets away from the area where you are working.
Test a small, inconspicuous area before applying any product or method to ensure it won’t damage your brick surface.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Brick Walls Using Solvents
Solvents are products commonly used for diluting thick paint. But they can also help clean fresh paint spills or dissolve dried ones from a surface.
The graffiti removal process remains roughly the same for all these solvents. You are also required to always adhere to the safety guidelines previously outlined.
Using Soapy Water
It’s no surprise that water is top of the list. This is the perfect solvent for water-based paints and will easily remove fresh paints from a surface.
The steps to follow
Mix warm water and liquid dish soap in a bucket to create a soapy solution.
Apply the soapy water to the spray paint using a soft-bristle brush or sponge.
Gently scrub the area to loosen the paint. Use a firm scrub brush to work it off the surface if the paint is particularly stubborn.
Rinse the surface with a hose or pressure washer to remove the soapy water and paint residue.
Repeat the process or find an alternative method from this list.
Paint Thinner
Paint Thinner is a potent solvent that removes oil-based spray paint from brick surfaces. However, it’s a petroleum distillate and can have severe health consequences if mishandled.
The process
Dampen a sponge with paint thinner or transfer some of it into a clean spray bottle.
Apply the paint thinner only to the spray-painted bricks.
Allow the paint thinner to sit on the spray paint for a few minutes to soften the paint.
Gently scrub the area with a bristle brush to remove the loosened paint.
Rinse the area with a garden hose to eliminate the product residues.
Mineral Spirits
This is another reliable solvent for dissolving and cleaning spray paint off brick surfaces. Before using it, ensure that you follow the recommended safety guidelines.
The procedure
Drench a sponge with mineral spirits and apply it on the spray-painted area.
Let the solvent work on the paint for a few minutes or until the paint appears to bleed.
Scrub the brick with warm soapy water to remove the paint from every cranny.
Rinse the wall using clean water from a hose or a power washer.
Turpentine
This product is another paint solvent guaranteed to help you get spray paint off brick walls. However, it emits strong fumes and is equally caustic. Therefore, ensure to gear up before getting started.
The Steps
Apply the turpentine to the spray paint using a sponge to saturate the bricks covered in paint.
Allow the turpentine to break down the spray paint for a few minutes.
Blast the treated brick wall with water from a power washer to get rid of the paint and turpentine residues.
Lacquer Thinner
Use lacquer thinner to help you get rid of lacquer-based spray paints from your exterior brick walls. Remember to exercise the prescribed safety precautions at all times.
The Steps
Decant lacquer thinner into a clean spray bottle and spray it on the affected bricks to saturate the spray paint.
Once the paint begins to dissolve, use a clean cloth to rub it off the surface. Add more lacquer thinner until the brick surface is back to its original color.
Rinse the treated area with pressurized water from a garden hose.
Removing Spray Paint From Brick With Graffiti Removers
Graffiti removers are designed to remove spray paint from porous surfaces like brick and wood. Several options are available in the market, but here are some of our tried-and-tested ones. You can buy them online or at local hardware stores.
Goo Gone Graffiti Remover
As the name suggests, this aerosol product removes spray paints from bricks and other surfaces. A worthy alternative in this category would be the Watch Dog Wipe Out porous graffiti remover and follow the same procedure.
The process
Shake the graffiti remover well, and then spray it on the painted brick.
Let it soften the paint for a few minutes, but not too long to dry.
Start rubbing the dissolved paint off the brick using a cloth.
Reapply the graffiti remover and repeat the removal process until all the paint comes off.
Rinse the surface with a rag dampened in warm water to eliminate lingering residues.
WD-40
This is another popular and versatile paint remover that’ll remove graffiti and spray paints from bricks, wood, metal, and carpets. It comes in an aerosol container and works like the Goo Gone graffiti remover.
The Steps
Spray the WD-40 directly onto the spray paint, covering the affected area.
Allow the WD-40 to sit on the spray paint for a few minutes to soften the paint.
Gently scrub the area with a cloth or sponge to remove the loosened paint. Repeat as necessary.
You can rinse the brick with water or leave it as is.
Graffiti Safewipes.
These are pre-moistened wipes designed to remove spray paint from bricks, concrete, wood, and other surfaces. They are handy for cleaning up spills, especially if you paint quite a lot.
The process
Remove a sheet of Graffiti Safewipe from the packaging and unfold it.
Gently rub the wipe on the spray paint, applying pressure to remove the paint.
Continue rubbing until the paint comes off, replacing the wipe as needed.
Rinse the area with water to remove any remaining residue.
Spray Paint Removal Process Using Chemicals.
Using chemicals is another effective method of removing spray paint from brick surfaces. However, you must exercise extreme caution when handling them to avoid the negative side effects.
There are many paint removers under this category, but we’ll only focus on three. Read on for the step-by-step guide on graffiti removal.
Paint Stripper
Paint strippers are chemicals specifically designed to break down and remove paint from surfaces. Consider using a product like Sure Klan heavy-duty paint stripper or Citristrip Gel, whose consistency makes it suitable for exterior brick walls and pavers.
The procedure
Apply the paint stripper to the spray paint using a paintbrush or roller, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow the paint stripper to sit on the spray paint for the recommended time, typically 15-30 minutes under warm weather. Allow for a longer period during colder weather.
Use a paint scraper to gently remove the loosened paint and collect them for safe disposal.
Follow up with a brush and scrub the area to remove any remaining paint from brick pores.
Hose the surface to get rid of excess products.
Trisodium Phosphate
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a powerful cleaning agent often used to clean stained surfaces. When mixed and applied properly, TSP can be another effective method of removing paint from a brick wall without damaging the underlying surface.
Steps:
Mix the TSP with hot water in a bucket, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Transfer the mixture into a pump sprayer for easier and more convenient application.
Angle the sprayer nozzle on the painted bricks and spray the treatment to saturate the affected areas.
Let the treatment work for a while to loosen the paint from every brick pore.
Rinse the treated surface with a power washer. The water pressure will lift off any stubborn paint while eliminating product residues.
Methylene Chloride
Methylene chloride is a chemical cleaner that removes spray paint from brick surfaces. However, its composition is harmful to your health, so use it in a well-ventilated area. Also, ensure to wear gloves, a respirator, and protective eyewear beforehand.
The Steps:
Apply the methylene chloride to the spray paint using a paintbrush, careful not to spread it to unaffected areas.
Allow the methylene chloride to sit on the spray paint for a few minutes to soften the paint.
Use a plastic scraper to remove the loosened paint gently. If needed, follow up with a scrub brush to get all the paint particles out.
Place a thumb on the hose to create pressured water jets and rinse the cleaned brick to eliminate residues.
Collect and dispose of the debris well to minimize environmental pollution.
How to Remove Spray Paint from Brick Walls With Abrasive Materials
Abrasive materials can also remove aerosol paint from brick surfaces by physically scraping or wearing away the paint. Only consider these methods if you don’t mind scraping away bits of the brick material.
Using a Wire Brush
The first abrasive method for removing unwanted spray paint from brick pavers is manually scrubbing it off with a wire brush. Unfortunately, this method is labor-intensive and impractical for large surfaces.
The simple steps:
Wear heavy-duty gloves before you begin to prevent developing blisters afterward.
Gently scrub the spray paint with the wire brush in back-and-forth motions to minimize the appearance of scarring.
Vacuum the dusty residue and wire bristles, and pressure wash the surface to clear out debris.
The Sandblasting Method.
The sandblasting method uses a high-pressure stream of abrasive materials like walnut shells or sand to remove spray paint from porous and non-porous surfaces.
This method is most practical for removing spray paint covering a large surface area. We also recommend it to individuals who’ve operated the equipment before to avoid leaving deep gouges on the porous surface.
The procedure
Set up the sandblasting equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Test the sandblasting on a small spray-painted brick wall part to ensure it works as it should.
Sandblast the spray paint off the surface, carefully adjusting the pressure and distance to remove the paint without damaging the brick.
Repeat the process over the entire brick surface covered with spray paint.
Once you’ve restored the brick walls, rinse them with water from a garden hose or pressure washer to remove the paint residue and sand particles.
Using a Pressure washer
Pressure washing uses high water pressure to blast against the spray paint and lifts it off the wall. However, avoid concentrating the nozzle on one spot for too long to prevent chipping or gouging the porous surface.
Step-by-step procedure
Set up the pressure washer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Test the water pressure (2000-2500 psi) and the spraying distance (6 inches) between the nozzle and the painted brick. You’re looking for confirmation that the paint can lift off without damaging the brick beneath.
Adjust the pressure and distances as necessary, then blast the spray paint to remove it from such a textured surface.
Turn off the pressure washer once all traces of spray paint comes off, and let the surface dry fully before repainting.
How to Protect Brick Surfaces from Spray Paint: Tips and Tricks
Protecting your brick surfaces from spray paint can help prevent the need for removal in the future. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your brick surfaces paint-free:
Apply a graffiti-resistant sealer to your brick surfaces to make it more difficult for spray paint to adhere.
Install security cameras or motion-activated lighting to deter vandals from targeting your property.
Keep plants and shrubs trimmed around your brick surfaces to make them less accessible to vandals.
Report any instances of graffiti vandalism to your local authorities to help them track and prevent future incidents.
FAQS – Getting Spray Paint Off Brick
How Do You Get Dried Spray Paint Off Brick?
1. Apply the solvent over the spray-painted brick.
2. Let the paint dissolve for a few minutes until it begins to run.
3. Rinse the dissolved products off the brick surface with a pressure washer.
4. Let the surface dry and repeat treatment if necessary.
Does Vinegar Remove Spray Paint From Brick?
Yes, vinegar can remove spray paint from bricks. To use it, soak the painted brick in a solution of vinegar and baking soda to loosen the paint. Then use a firm brush to scrub the softened paint off the brick surface. Rinse it off the debris.
Will WD-40 Remove Spray Paint From Brick?
Yes. WD-40 is a solvent-based aerosol product that will help you dissolve spray paints from brick pavers and walls. Shake well and then spray it on the spray paint. After a minute, scrub the loosened paint off the surface and rinse the residue.
What Removes Spray Paint Instantly?
Graffiti removers like Goo Gone, Granx graffiti remover, and WD-40 can remove spray paint instantly from the affected surface. Simply apply the product according to the manufacturer’s instructions, let it settle for a few minutes, and then wipe it off.
What is the Easiest Way to Remove Spray Paint From Brick?
Using Goo Gone graffiti remover is the easiest way to remove spray paint from brick. This aerosol product is designed to dissolve and soften the spray paint, making it easier to scrub and wash off. It works on both fresh and dry spray paints.
Can I Use Sandpaper to Remove Paint From the Brick?
Sure you can. This option is most suitable for removing paint splatters or paint covering a few brick pieces. You’d use coarse grit (# 40-50) handheld sandpaper in this case. Sand the painted brick gently to lift off the paint.
Final Thoughts on Removing Spray Paint From Brick
We hope these methods on how to get spray paint off brick inspire you to get rid of the unwanted graffiti on your brick surfaces.
Choose a suitable method depending on how much spray paint you need to remove. Consider using solvents and commercial graffiti removers for smaller projects. For larger projects, using chemical paint strippers or abrasive products will be more practical.
That’s it from us. If you have other creative and efficient methods of removing spray paint from brick pavers, let us know in the comment section below.