How to Remove Spray Paint From Metal

While spray paint is one of the most popular and reliable choices for makeovers and repainting, it’s notorious for being incredibly difficult to remove, especially on metal surfaces. You can’t just brush it off the painted surface once you’ve grown tired of its aesthetics; you need to use a special procedure to remove it.

In this post, Handyman Connection of Rockville discusses how to do so the right way.

What You Need:

Before anything else, you’ll want to secure the following materials:

• Citristrip and a couple of paintbrushes
• And old toothbrush and a plastic scraper
• Lint-free rags or an old t-shirt
• Plastic gloves and goggles
• Acetone and respirator

The First Steps

First, place your spray-painted object on your lint-free rag or old shirt. Put on your plastic gloves, and wear your eye protection and respiration. Next, using your paintbrush, spread the Citristrip over the metal surface in a thick and even coat. Let the Cistristrip settle and work its magic for about 30 minutes.

After 15 minutes, we recommend testing a section of the spray-painted surface. If the paint bubbles when you prod or touch it, then the spray is ready to be scraped off.

Removing the Paint

Using your plastic scraper, gently scrape the bubbling portion of the paint. Dispose of the paint properly, though. Now, expect small bits of paint on the surface of the metal, but simply use your rag to wipe away the excess. For small areas and nooks and crannies, use your old toothbrush to remove the paint in clumps.

Now, the paint probably won’t be gone after one treatment, especially if the metal surface isn’t flat. Just apply the Citristrip again, let it bubble and scrape off the remaining patches of paint. It’s usually easier to remove the paint after the second reapplication of Citristrip.

For larger metal surfaces with unsightly spray paint, let Handyman Connection of Rockville do the work for you. Call us today at (301) 453-2090 or fill out our form to learn more about our services.