Are you working on your room, doing an amazing project, and accidentally sprayed some paint on your mirror? This can be a big problem as mirrors are not cheap pieces of furniture or even decoration work made up of mirrors cost you a lot. However, there is no need to worry, as pro painters are also unaware of the answer to how to get spray paint off a mirror.
Although spray paint is quite tough to clean because of its minor particles, but in this article, I have covered all possible ways that will surely work for you. You will get the right solution for this painting disaster in this list. Read this article carefully to know how to get spray paint off a mirror.
How to Get Spray Paint Off Mirror?
If you accidentally ruin your mirror, don’t worry; there are many options to make your mirror like before. Check out these ways and find the one that can work best for you.
12 Ways to Get Spray Paint Off Mirror
1. Hairdryer
This is such an easy technique to clean paint from the mirror. To do this, follow these steps:
- Make a mixture of soap and water
- Apply it to the stain to lose its grip
- Now turn on your hairdryer and direct it towards the painted area
- Hold for a few minutes, so the color leaves the glass completely
- In the end, gently wipe it with a dry fabric
If you don’t have a dryer, you can use the following solution. I am sure it will work for you.
2. Magic Eraser
This is the most pocket-friendly solution as you can get a magic eraser for a few dollars and from anywhere. If you are unknown of this product, I am sure you know it; generally, people call it melamine sponge. Get this sponge, and rub the painted area gently with soap water. Don’t get harsh as it can damage the surface of the mirror. Keep rubbing it till you get a clear surface. Lastly, wipe it with a clean and dry cloth. If this is not available, try my next solution.
3. Nail Polish Remover/ Acetone
If you are a woman, you definitely own a nail polish remover. This is a cheap product and is available everywhere. You can clean the mirror with acetone in a few seconds. However, apply paint to a small mirror corner to stay on the safer side, and then use acetone. This will tell you the result.
Sometimes, the acetone decolorizes the mirror, which is somehow irreversible. After testing, if you get desired results, clean the mirror. Take it on a cotton ball and directly apply it to paint. Leave it for a few seconds so it can work. Lastly, remove it with a fresh cotton ball with the same solution. If the mirror is quite expensive and you don’t want to take the risk, try another way to resolve the problem.
4. Hairspray
You can get your mirror back with hairspray and a neat fabric. For this, spray the hairspray on the mirror and then let it be there for a few minutes to soften the paint. Next, remove it with a neat cloth. However, you need more than one take to clean it thoroughly. Repeat the process till you get a clean mirror like before.
5. Rubbing Alcohol
This is another working solution for how to get spray paint off the mirror. Rubbing alcohol works as a thinner and can melt the color quickly. Take a few drops of rubbing alcohol on cotton. The use of cloth cannot work here. Rub the cotton ball on the mirror until the cotton absorbs all the paint. Repeat this process again for an extra clean mirror.
6. Oven Off Cleaner
Although oven-off cleaner is not for this purpose, it still gives desired results when it comes to spray paint. To get the mirror back, apply it with a piece of fabric and then rub it thoroughly until you get a clean mirror and no stain left on it. Lastly, wipe it off with a dry cloth. If you don’t own any of these products, I am sure the following solution will work for you.
7. Vinegar
Similar to previous processes, apply vinegar with the help of fabric. Take a few minutes and rub it gently but thoroughly, so you will not leave with any remaining paint spots. Clean it with a wet fabric; otherwise, you get a paint-free mirror but with vinegar marks. So don’t skip this last important step.
8. Graffiti Remover
Suppose you accidentally damage the whole mirror with spray paint and don’t know how to get spray paint off the mirror. In that case, graffiti remover is your answer. Using previous methods may not work here because it will require much effort. Therefore, the use of a graffiti remover is the best option; it takes less energy and time.
To clean it, apply this remover on a fabric and then rub it all over the painted area. Once you remove all paint, wash it with direct water. Lastly, dry the mirror with a dry cloth. This is not for minor spray paint accidents but for a huge mishap that is not easy to do with previous ways.
9. WD-40
In terms of specific removers, WD-40 is the most affordable option. You can get this cleaner easily from anywhere. Also, the cleaning process becomes easy with WD-40. Apply this to the fabric and rub it on the paint. Rub it with full attention and a bit of pressure so no paint stains are left behind. This solution can easily remove material like spray paint, which will work best with this issue.
10. Dry Erase Marker
If you get paint stains on the mirror, then a dry erase marker is the best option. However, it is recommended for small ruined areas as you grab the pen and apply it to the paint. But if the stain is big, this is not a good option as it takes longer to clean the mirror. Furthermore, rubbing for such a long time makes you tired. To clean the paint spot, rub the erase pen continuously till you clean the whole spot. Lastly, clean it with a cloth, and you are good to go.
11. Paint Thinner
This solution works best for dried-out paint spots on the mirror, and all previously mentioned ways fail to give desired results. Here, paint thinner helps the paint to leave the mirror, and then you can clean it. To ensure good results, apply paint thinner with the help of fabric or cotton, and rub it for a few minutes till the paint becomes thin. After this, remove it with another dry cloth or run the water.
12. Steel Wool Soap Pad
Generally, a steel wool soap pad is used to remove the pans and pots in the kitchen, and I am sure you have one in your kitchen. Wet the steel wool with the soap and then gently rub it on the paint. This works similar to paint as it works on pan stains. Keep scrubbing the paint till you clean it completely. At the end, clean with water to wash the remaining paint.
13. Scraper
Unfortunately, if nothing works for you, don’t be sad, as a scrapper will definitely work for you. Take a scrapper and set an angle of 45. Now press gently to remove the paint. However, this step needs extra care because it can cause permanent scratches. Lastly, the most important thing is to clean it with a dry cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will nail polish remover ruin a mirror?
Yes, nail polish remover can ruin a mirror by decolorizing it. But it’s not true for all mirrors. So, you need to check it by applying any rear corner of your mirror to test its effect.
Is acetone okay on glass?
Acetone can potentially damage the glass if not used with care. You should not pour it directly on the glass; either spray it or use a dry cloth to apply it.
Is acetone the same as nail polish remover?
No, acetone is a volatile, colorless liquid. At the same time, nail polish remover is an organic solvent that is made up of many components. Acetone can be a constituent of nail polish rever along with colors, oils, and solvents. There are also non-acetone nail paint removers available in the market.
Does vinegar remove spray paint?
Yes, you can use vinegar to remove spray paint from your mirror as vinegar contains acetic acid. But you have to clean vinegar immediately after the removal of paint, as it can cause vinegar stains.
Bottom Line on Removing Spray Paint from Mirror
Taking precautions like covering other things while using spray paint is essential. But sometimes, you accidentally ruin a piece of your mirror and don’t know how to get spray paint off the mirror, which is quite stressful. Now you know all the possible ways to get back the look and shine of your mirrors. Try a solution now that you think will work best for you.
Hi, I am Pete Fagerlin, carpenter by profession and working on different DIY projects is my passion. For more than a decade, it’s been my weekend hobby to dig into different tools for my favorite DIY projects which helped me to become knowledgeable about different DIY tools. With a combination of my profession and passion, I am here to collaborate with Adam Wilson to share my DIY tools knowledge with the MechanicsGear readers.