Whether it’s the front window or the rear one, it’s not annoying to see unwanted paint on the windshields. Especially if the paint covers most of the front windshield. Because then you practically have zero visibility whatsoever. So, how to get paint off car windows effectively?
Depending on the paint type, you can use anything from nail polish remover to industrial-grade paint strippers to get rid of the paint. First, you’ll need to scrape off as much paint as you can normally. Then you can use the appropriate solvents to dissolve the leftover paint.
Paint can get onto the car windows for a number of reasons – Halloween prank, DIY mishap, etc. Again, people can attempt to vandalize the car to send a message. Either way, as a car owner, you should know how to get paint off car windows to avoid unnecessary bills at the car wash.
Getting Paint Off Windshields: Step-By-Step Guide
It’s important to follow the correct procedure depending on the type and severity of the paint. Follow this step-by-step guide to get color off windshields effectively –
Step 1: Determine The Type Of The Paint
Is it acrylic paint? Or latex? Or just some spray paint? If you know the exact type of paint, you’ll know how to best get it off the glass windows.
Most importantly, you have to figure out whether the paint is water-based or oil-based. If the paint is water-based like acrylic, then you can use soft dissolvers such as dish soap, detergent, etc. to slowly wash the paint off.
Alternatively, if the paint is oil-based and heavily pigmented, you’ll need to use alcoholic strippers to dissolve the paint. Since oil-based paint is inherently waterproof, it’ll take longer to soften the paint from its dry state on the glass windows.
Hence, the first step is to determine the type of paint so that you can use the correct solvents. And if you can’t figure out the exact type, find out the nature of the paint instead.
Scrape off some paint from the window, and rub it between your fingers under running tap water in a circular motion.
Check to see if the paint softens down before breaking apart. If the paint becomes mushy, then it’s likely water-based. Again, if the paint feels rubbery, then it’s likely oil-based.
Step 2: Prepare The Windshields
As you’ll need to hose down the windshields, it’s important to prepare the surroundings properly. For instance – if you end up using highly alcoholic paint removers, then the liquid can’t touch any other part of the car other than the glass itself.
You can use a plastic tarp to cover the doors, hood, etc. However, make sure that there are no gaps around the edges while covering under the windshields.
Again, if you’re using just dish soap, vinegar, etc. you don’t have to cover the painted hood as they can’t harm the finish.
Step 3: Take Off The Extra Paint
If there’s a lump of paint on the glass, scrape off the extra paint first with the help of a putty knife or razor blade. However, don’t try to do this if it’s spray paint on the screen.
Since glass windows don’t have any adhesive properties unlike drywall, you can easily scrape off both dry and wet paint.
That’s why if it’s acrylic paint, it’s a good idea to let the paint dry first. Once it dries up and becomes water-resistant, you can simply scrape it off the windows with a razor blade.
Step 4: Clean The Windows
Whether the paint is oil-based or water-based, you have to clean the glass itself first to get rid of dust and debris. Otherwise, the glass will become muddy and the dust particles will interfere with the dissolving procedure later.
After scraping off the extra paint, take a bucket of warm water and mix a few spoonfuls of liquid detergent with it. Scrub the glass with a microfiber sponge to both clean the windows and soften the paint up in the process.
Step 5: Cleaning Water-Based Paint
Repeat step 4 until the paint softens down completely. With the microfiber sponge, continue to scrub the paint off.
If needed, you can use leave some detergent directly on the leftover paint so that it dissolves faster. Hose down the glass to wash off the paint particles after scrubbing it off.
Read More – Does Paintball Paint Wash Out?
Step 6: Cleaning Oil-Based Paint
If the paint is dry, oil-based paint will generally peel off the glass windows easily. If it doesn’t, repeat step 4, and then mix some vinegar with Windex on the glass.
Windex is great for dissolving enamel paint on glass windows and the vinegar helps to speed up the process.
Alternatively, you can use acetone or rubbing alcohol to slowly soften up and dissolve the dry oil-based paint. Although you can use paint strippers directly, it’s best to explore these options first to avoid the extra harsh chemicals.
Step 7: Cleaning Spray Paint
There’s a neat trick to clean spray paint off car windows. Make a paste of hot water and baking soda first.
You can use vinegar to increase the potency of the mixture. Leave the paste on the paint for 15-20 minutes. Not only will it soften the paint, but it’ll also help the paint to peel off later.
Soak a microfiber sponge in dish soap and water and scrub vigorously to get both the paint and the paste off. If the paint layer is too thick, reapply the paste multiple times.
Read More – How Old To Buy Spray Paint?
How To Prevent Stains & Scratches On Car Windows?
Even if you use the correct dissolver, an inappropriate application can ruin the car’s finish. Follow these precautions to prevent mishaps while getting paint off the car windows –
Limited Chemical Usage
While cleaning the windows with paint strippers or removers, use a limited amount at a time. As the chemicals can ruin the finish, don’t let the remover roll down the end of the glass.
Use only enough to soak and dissolve the paint. Use a microfiber sponge to scrub the glass in a circular motion to help the paint dissolve faster.
Wipe off the remover with the dissolved paint, wash the sponge, and reapply a spoonful of stripper to the surface. Repeat this method instead of dumping a truckload of remover at once to protect both the car finish & the windows.
Tint Vs. No Tint
If the window is tinted, refrain from using harsh blades to scrape off the paint. As the tinted glass is covered by a thin laminated film, the blade can pierce through the surface.
Under these circumstances, you’ll have to carefully scrape off the paint with soft plastic scrapers or putty knives. Again, if the window isn’t tinted, you can safely use automotive steel razor blades to scrape paint off the glass windows.
Make sure to use long and broad strokes with the blade.
Always keep the sharp end away from the glass and use the edge of the blade only. Follow a linear route forward instead of going back and forth to scrape the paint. This way, you can put the necessary pressure on the glass without scratching it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can dish soap ruin a car’s finish?
The weak and diluted chemicals in dish soap can’t melt the polyurethane enamel in a car’s finish. Hence, normal household dish soap isn’t potent enough to ruin a car’s finish.
2. Can I use a paper cutter to scrape off paint from a car window?
Car windows have strong and durable laminated glass. A paper cutter or a razor blade can easily scrape off the paint from the windshields if used obliquely on the surface if it’s not tinted.
3. How long does it take for paint to dry on glass?
It takes acrylic and latex paint up to 4 hours to dry normally. However, if you leave the car outside i.e. under the scorching sun, it’ll take an hour or less for the paint to dry up.
Before You Go
While painting a car, make sure the windshields have been covered separately in advance. Even though it’s easy to get paint off a car window, mishaps during the removal can leave tiny scratches all over the fragile surface.
And if you are interested in painting your car for a revamped look, check out – How Long Does Car Paint Take To Dry?
