Asked on Apr 02, 2012

Does anyone know how to remove existing paint splatters from brick? I have tried everything I know of with no success.

Cheryl Clark
by Cheryl Clark
  26 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Apr 02, 2012
    about the most efficient way is sand blasting...limited results with a wire brush. How much area do you need to clean up?
  • Cheryl Clark Cheryl Clark on Apr 02, 2012
    Thank you haven't tried sand blasting, the spots are just here and there, tried the wire brush, didn't do a thing.
  • Lynda B Lynda B on Apr 02, 2012
    "Goof Off" removes paint, but always is best to remove when fresh. If the paint splatters have been there a while you will have to use the goof off and lots of elbow grease.
  • Pamela G Pamela G on Apr 02, 2012
    there is always paint stripper.... dab it on with a q-tip and let it loosen it up. Try it on a place that isn't noticable first.
  • ProSource ProSource on Apr 02, 2012
    I would ask at a name brand paint store. Sandblasting is an extreme effect and not advisable for exterior brick at all. On small projects where a bit of paint got on unfinished or unsealed brick, rather than take a risk of dissolving it into the surrounding areas I put a wet sponge or towel over the spot and let time help release latex paints like this. If needed you can cover the area with a bit of plastic wrap to hold in the moisture and let it work through the brick and get behind the spot and release it. Paul C
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Apr 02, 2012
    Have you tried krud kutter?
  • Marci N Marci N on Apr 02, 2012
    Scrape it off? Or you could try to find paint that matches the brick and paint it over the splatters after scraping them flat. It would probably be less time consuming than trying to get it all off.
  • Suzi B Suzi B on Apr 02, 2012
    wow a lot of great ideas we have the same problem and we are going to try a few of these ideas.... thanks
  • Carol M Carol M on Apr 02, 2012
    If you can't remove it, how about getting paint color matched to your brick and dab it with the paint to cover it up?
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Apr 02, 2012
    Scrape off the top part you can then get the strongest paste stripper with a wire brush. For better or worse, brick holds paint well. You can also follow up with more stripper and pressure washer. Best, Charles
  • Sheryll S Sheryll S on Apr 02, 2012
    That is what I came here from FB to tell her. I would not want to even try, since brick is so very porous. Yep, try matching the paint, but thin the paint a bit to try it, so it remains porous? Does that make sense?
  • Tim B Tim B on Apr 02, 2012
    muratic acid. just make sure you wash well with water after
  • Clay B Clay B on Apr 02, 2012
    Wear GOGGLES and CHEMICAL RESISTANT GLOVES, on drop of acid in your eye, and it's goodbye eye. Have you tried "Goof Off", comes liquid an spray, it stinks, but will removed dried LATEX paint. Did you tray paint stripper?
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Apr 02, 2012
    Acid won't touch paint, however it will react with the masonry. Depending on the splatters, you could try the cleaning route and then touch up the residual with paint. CP
  • Cheryl Clark Cheryl Clark on Apr 02, 2012
    Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. I am going to the hardware store tomorrow to put all your suggestions to the test. I like the painting over it the best....seems like the easiest. I have tried goof off, didn't work.
  • Clay B Clay B on Apr 02, 2012
    Yes, match the color of the brick, then carfully cover it up. sounds good. If goof off didn't work, may be oil based paint.
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Apr 02, 2012
    Cheryl, ask the paint store for a 'fan deck' of colors to match your brick by, or better, bring a brick for them to match. CP
  • Adam D Adam D on Apr 02, 2012
    Muratic acid would clean it off. Not sure if that is how it is spelled but the hardware store will know what I am talking about. or you could try denatured alchahol.
  • Chris H Chris H on Apr 02, 2012
    i am a roofing repairman and have had to remove spray paint from brick many times ... i use any kind of acetone based product such as paint thinner and a wire brush and alot of elbow grease ... if you dont have paint thinner ive used fingernail polish remover ... it works in a pinch.
  • Dena H Dena H on May 18, 2012
    Don't know if you found a solution yet but if you haven't, try nail polish remover. That stuff works miracles and it's a lot cheaper than all that other stuff.
  • Kathy Luckey Kathy Luckey on Nov 15, 2018

    Thank y'all so much for your inputs, I will try these last one with the fingernail polish remover.

  • Joseph Cennamo Joseph Cennamo on Jul 09, 2019

    Donโ€™t use muriatic acid thatโ€™s only good to remove cement stains get an orbital sander with a little turpentine and hose it off if you can get cloth sandpaper it will work if not regular sand paper will work too just wonโ€™t last as long .for spatter itโ€™s good if itโ€™s a lot of paint it will take some doing good luck.

  • Margarita Backmeyer Margarita Backmeyer on Aug 06, 2020

    I tried my nail remover and it works...

    you need to apply it and scrape it with a scraper

    it comes off

  • Patty Patty on Aug 06, 2020

    Try Motsenbacher

  • Tina Whitfield Tina Whitfield on Nov 01, 2020

    just had my exterior painted. for various reasons, I was not micromanaging the painters... However, now that they have gone, and other things have settled down that had me distracted, I have been looking and they literally smeared almost every brick (and glass and other wood) that touches a painted surface!!! Especially in the corners around windows, doorframes. Also, multi drops all around the house.


    I am just absolutely sick. I can see using some of the solutions for small areas, but it is literally my entire house of windows, doors. I have no idea what to do or where to begin. my brick is sorta a multicolor so painting is not a viable option. I've heard prof painters say NEVER use muriatic acid unless you are able to saturate the brick in order to rinse.


    To make matters more complex, since the drops, smears, and basically freaking sloppy unprofessional work is around legitimately painted surfaces, I don't want to destroy that paint either. And some places I can't even reach. And did I mention time...


    I can't believe there is not an easier solution for a seemingly common problem?

    distress!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 19, 2024

    You don't say what type of paint? Bricks are Pourous and will draw paint into themselves, so the best way is to try to cover the spots up! Try using art paints and Brushes.