Spray paint splatters on your tile floor after revamping your favorite furniture, or a DIY project shouldn’t get you freaking out.
There are several ways you can get spray paint off tiles without damaging the floor or creating other costly damages.
Your preferred method, however, depends on how much spray paint needs to be removed.
In this guide, we have detailed how to get spray paint off tiles using the most effective methods. Stay with us as we walk you through the process.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Tile
You can use a basic approach to remove fresh paint, like warm water and a clean cloth. Or you can use rubbing alcohol, acetone, or paint thinner for tough, dried paint. All of these methods are effective, but some could work out better than others.
Tools Required to Remove spray paint from Tile
As with most spray painting projects, you will need essential tools and equipment to clean paint stuck on your tile floors. Some of these tools are household items that you can easily take from your kitchen or garage. Examples include:
Utility knife
Heat gun
Plastic scraper
Rubber gloves
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Painting Suit
Citrus-based paint stripper
What are the Methods of Removing Paint From Tile?
To remove dry or wet spray paint from your floor tiles, you can use three different methods.
The first is straightforward and involves scraping off the paint from tile floor. It’s also the most practical method for dry spray paint removal.
The second method requires heating, while for the third, you can use a commercial or natural paint remover. Let’s explore them in great detail.
Method 1: Scrapping
When spray painting indoors, you’ll need to protect nearby surfaces from accidental splatter. If you fail to do this and end up with dry paint on most surfaces, particularly floor tiles, you’ll need to scrap it off. Wear a dust mask to ensure you don’t inhale those dust particles.
Using a plastic scraper, carefully scrape paint at a 45-degree angle, taking care not to damage the glaze until the paint is thoroughly removed. Next, use warm water with soap and a clean rag and wipe the surface clean.
Method 2: Heating and Scraping Method
For this method, you’ll need a heat gun to get the paint off quickly. Start by switching on the heat gun at moderate heat and hovering it around the stained areas of your floor. Heating your stained tiles causes evaporation that loosens the paint-tile bond.
If you don’t have a heat gun, a hair dryer can work just fine. The trick is to heat one single spot at a time, not a large surface at once.
Again wear a mask to protect yourself from the toxic spray paint moisture emitting from the heated paint. And remember to keep hovering the gun on the entire surface, not linger on a single spot for long, so nothing gets burned.
Method 3: Use Paint Remover
Suppose you want to remove spray paint on older tiles like those older than 15 years. In that case, you’ll need to work with a unique paint remover, especially a conservation-rated paint remover.
For this method, we suggest you show a sample of your tile and glaze to a professional or at your local hardware store for tips and suggestions on the best one to use on older tiles.
Ideally, we recommend Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel, Motsenbocker’s LiftOff Latex, or Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover since they’re versatile, effective, and safe to use on older tiles.
Once you have the remover, always ensure you wear a mask and gloves when handling these products to maintain safety and prevent your lungs from the toxic fumes. Keep the room well-ventilated by running a fan and opening the doors and windows to usher in the fresh air.
Apply the paint remover according to the instructions in the user manual and leave it to sit for the specified time before cleaning it off with warm soapy water and a sponge or soft cloth.
What Home Remedy Will Remove Spray Paint?
Besides the three methods highlighted above, some home remedies can also come in handy when cleaning paint-stained ceramic or porcelain tiles.
One good thing about ceramic tiles is their durability and ability to withstand even the most rigorous chemical cleaning. If your tiles have a tough glaze, consider using professional paint removers like Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover.
But if the glaze is soft, some homemade solutions can still do the trick. Here are a few examples of homemade remedies to try out. e
Natural Paint remover
To make natural paint remover, measure equal amounts of water and white vinegar. Boil the solution until it’s hot. Apply the warm solution to the stained tile using a clean rag or damp cloth.
The hot vinegar helps soften the paint making it easy to peel off the tile. Next, use a soft brush to scrub off the stain.
Continue until the entire floor is treated with vinegar. If the vinegar solution cools down, bring it to a boil again. The goal is to work with a hot solution that softens the paint. Once everything is scrubbed off, clean the area with a moper and foamy water.
Important notice: Always wear a mask and gloves when using any spray paint remover, including the homemade one, since the hot vinegar solution will soften the paint, causing it to release toxic fumes in the air.
This solution is ideal if you’re on a tight budget since vinegar is eco-friendly, affordable, safe, and super effective in removing stubborn paint stains.
Acetone
Acetone is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover, making it another inexpensive solution to stubborn spray paint. And since nail polish removers are relatively safe and non-toxic, you can use acetone to clean your tile and glaze without worrying about causing damage.
The only problem you might encounter is if the paint is stuck in the pores of unsealed stone, granite, or marble tiles which may be susceptible to acetone.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is yet another inexpensive solution that can help remove all the paint stains on your floor. It’s also the most straightforward DIY method that’s less tedious.
All you have to do is dip a piece of cloth in the rubbing alcohol and rub on the stains. Once the paint is removed, wipe with a clean rag and warm foamy water.
WD40
WD-40 also works best on stubborn spray paint on floor tiles. This product has effective ingredients that can remove even the most complicated paint spills. After using WD-40 to remove paint stains, however, you’ll need to use warm lathery water to remove the film left on the tiles.
Use Baking Soda and Water
This is the fun part. With a small amount of baking soda and water, you can create a powerful solution to rid your tiles of the most tenacious spray stains. After making the paste, apply it to the stained tiles and let it rest for 30-60 minutes.
Next, use a scrub brush or scouring pad to scrub the paint off the tile. You can then rinse with warm water and wipe with a clean rag.
Removing Paint From Grout
White grout can be challenging to clean if there is dried paint in the lines between tiles. But if you want an easy time dealing with grout, consider using a natural solution to remove paint like citrus-based paint remover. Use an old toothbrush to dip in the remover and scrub the grout lines until fully clean.
How Do I Get Spray Paint Off My Bathroom Floor?
Suppose your bathroom has stubborn paint stains that you cannot remove using conventional methods, you can look for a professional. You’ll need to consult a professional on the best removers to use, depending on the type of bathroom tiles you have.
If you’d rather go the natural way, use citrus-based paint remover, which is recommended especially for use on grout. Suppose your tiles are over two decades old, we recommend a conservation-rated commercial paint remover that works best on older glazed tile surfaces.
Finally, employ our all-time rule of thumb: keep the room ventilated by opening the doors and windows. Follow the application methods as indicated on the product label.
Do Mineral Spirits Damage Ceramic Tile Floor?
If your tile has no wax finish, you can use mineral spirits to remove the paint from the tile or other surfaces like laminate and linoleum.
Take a piece of clean cloth and dampen it with the solution and wipe off the wet paint from the floor. If you need to remove dry paint, apply elbow grease and scrub gently to clear up the stained spot.
From there, you can use mineral spirits to remove spray paint from the floor, whether wooden, tiled, or made of other materials like linoleum and laminate.
Still, you should test the product on a small inconspicuous area as a precaution against damage to your floor. Once you’ve confirmed that it’s safe to use the solution on the tiles, use them sparingly until the entire surface is clean.
Will Paint Thinner Damage Porcelain Tile?
It’s important to note that while different types of tiles can endure these potent cleaning substances, others with softer glaze can be susceptible to damage while cleaning.
That’s why testing the cleaning solution on a small hidden section is recommended to ascertain if your porcelain tile can withstand it.
Even when you purchase professional paint removers from your hardware store, have the attendant inspect and test your tile and recommend the best and safest product.
What Can I Use to Dissolve Dried Spray Paint?
The best and most commonly used solvents for dissolving dry spray paint stain on floor tiles include acetone, lacquer thinner, and paint thinner.
These products can remove wet and dry paint, including those stuck for a long time. While they’re compatible with different types of tiles, they work best on ceramic tiles.
How Do You Remove Acrylic Paint From Ceramic Tile?
Acrylic paint is the easiest spray paint to remove from tiles, whether dry or wet because they are water-based paints. You can use a basic solution of soap and warm water with a soft brush or scouring pad to clean the surface, then rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
FAQs: How to remove spray paint from tile
What is the easiest way to remove paint from tiles?
The easiest method of removing paint from tiles is using a paint spray remover. This method helps dissolve the paint quickly though it should be used sparingly to avoid damaging the floor surface. Otherwise, if you need help deciding which spray to use, you can hire a professional to do the job perfectly.
How do you remove dried spray paint?
Scrap it off with a plastic scraper tool, then wipe it with a damp rag. Alternatively, use commercial paint thinner to loosen the paint before giving it another thorough cleaning with warm soapy water and a piece of microfiber cloth. Other homemade solutions like acetone, natural paint remover, or baking soda can also be used.
What home remedy will remove spray paint?
Several homemade remedies can be used to clean paint from the floor tiles. Natural paint remover made from water and white vinegar is the most popular. You can also use rubbing alcohol, baking soda, nail polish remover, or acetone.
How does vinegar remove spray paint?
Vinegar works best if mixed with water and then boiled. The hot vinegar solution causes the paint to loosen from the tile, making it easy to peel or scrub with a soft brush afterward.
Conclusion
We believe you now have the answer to your question, “ how to remove spray paint from tiles.” It’s what we promised you at the start of this guide: methods of removing spray paint from your floor tiles, which homemade solutions can work, and how to use them.
The good thing is, the procedures are relatively easy, and some of the solutions are affordable. While you don’t have to use all the methods simultaneously, testing one or two will surely give you the much-desired results.