Asked on Jul 07, 2012
What's the best way to remove paint from window glass?
+40
My husband painted the window frames in our kitchen and dining room without taping off the glass. Now that it's done, what's the best way to remove the paint on the glass? I tried Goof Off in one spot and it worked, but it got really messy so I wasn't sure if there might be a better way.
Thank you so much in advance!
Aimee
sixteenfourteen.weebly.com
Thank you so much in advance!
Aimee
sixteenfourteen.weebly.com
43 answers
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a very clean/new razor blade or scraper! they sell them just for this in the paint asile
![Designs by BSB]()
Designs by BSB
on Jul 07, 2012
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I just cleaned some VERY old windows for a craft project and used a product called Goof Off. It softens even the oldest paint and then you can wipe and/or scrape it right off. Definitely do this with windows open and lots of ventilation -- the fumes are strong. We also used this to remove 30+ year old paint from our wood floors when we pulled up the carpet -- came right off and didn't damage the wood!
![Lauren Z]()
Lauren Z
on Jul 07, 2012
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I'm with Becky....I use a brand new razor blade!
![Thistlewood]()
Thistlewood
on Jul 07, 2012
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Buy single edge razor blades or go to your local home store. They have small tools with razor edging that work great and also have replaceable blades.
![Peggy B]()
Peggy B
on Jul 07, 2012
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Thanks all! I really appreciate the advice: Goof Off and a razor/scraper sounds like the best bet!
![Sixteenfourteen]()
Sixteenfourteen
on Jul 07, 2012
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I use a straight edge razor blade and window cleaner. Comes right off.
![Kim N]()
Kim N
on Jul 07, 2012
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Me too!
![Bernice H]()
Bernice H
on Jul 07, 2012
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Me three :)
![Joy2Journey]()
Joy2Journey
on Jul 07, 2012
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I normally replace each pane of glass after painting. No messy cleanup.
![Dan M]()
Dan M
on Jul 07, 2012
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Don't use the goof off next to the painted edge, you will ruin the paint.
![Susan L]()
Susan L
on Jul 07, 2012
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My husband is an artist so I use turpentine and a strait edge razor
![Rhoda S]()
Rhoda S
on Jul 07, 2012
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Hand grenades, if that doesn't work try the blade idea.
![Raymond G]()
Raymond G
on Jul 07, 2012
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I always use a razor blade and it works great...
![Susan L Bascom]()
Susan L Bascom
on Jul 07, 2012
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RAZOR BLADE. Let the paint dry, then gently scape off the paint with a razar blade. Then wipe with glass cleaner and your done. Don't push too hard so as not to break the glass and avoid scratching it.
![Betty M]()
Betty M
on Jul 07, 2012
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A razor blade and window cleaner- just be gentle.
![B]()
B
on Jul 07, 2012
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Use the razor blade to cut down on glass, next to the frame so the debri (paint) comes off clean from the frame. If not the debri might be jagged coming off the frame. I hope this makes sense.
![Irene Compean T]()
Irene Compean T
on Jul 07, 2012
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Razor blade scraper,after cutting next to the frame.
![Patricia L]()
Patricia L
on Jul 07, 2012
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i wash windows for a living. the secret is to use soapy water make sure the window is WET or you scratch the glass. Then use a very sharp razor like the loose ones they sell at hardware stores. They also sell a blade holder tool which is a great idea. Scrape off and the rewet and squeggee off.
![Darla P]()
Darla P
on Jul 07, 2012
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Use a dull razor blade at a slanted angle so not to scratch the glass, but this works best. Can even smooth out the edging on the frame with the blade.
![Elaine G]()
Elaine G
on Jul 07, 2012
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Use the scraper thing that a razor blade fits into, the old fashioned razor blade. This is the only way to do it easily. Comes right off and blade gets in the corners.
![Mary S]()
Mary S
on Jul 07, 2012
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Razor blade--best if you get a little holder and one-sided blades to go in it. It will save your fingers.... signed gnarled fingers from way too much hand work in house renovation...
![Judy H]()
Judy H
on Jul 07, 2012
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I'm with everyone else.....blade it. And tell hubby to use painters tape next time he paints a window with panes. It takes less time to tape it off than it does to blade the results of a non taped window.
![Linda L]()
Linda L
on Jul 07, 2012
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Yep, razor blade scraper.
![Betty W]()
Betty W
on Jul 07, 2012
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It's unanimous! Use a razor blade scraper! LOL
![Sharron W]()
Sharron W
on Jul 07, 2012
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I'm a stained glass artist... the best tool I have found is the finest steel wool. I think it's 0000. Located at your nearest Hardware Store. ( No water needed)
![Molly Q]()
Molly Q
on Jul 07, 2012
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I kinda like to paint a little onto the glass as well, on older windows where the putty is starting to shrink. It helps seal the wood and putty to the glass, and the cleanup is a task, but worth the effort. Blue tape helps.
![John T]()
John T
on Jul 07, 2012
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Hand the HUB's a razor blade and show him the window, then you go shopping. :)
![Ginny G]()
Ginny G
on Jul 07, 2012
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Yep, a razor blade. And I do this on purpose. I think it's much easier to scrape off than tape.
![Carol M]()
Carol M
on Jul 07, 2012
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I have a pile of old window frames and they all have lots of paint on the panes, the way I remove the paint is to use a razor blade slanted at an angle, also be sure to put the blade into one of those holders~you don't want to cut yourself.
![Jana]()
Jana
on Jul 08, 2012
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I'm with Carol M, the razor is easier than taping foe me
![Nancy B]()
Nancy B
on Jul 08, 2012
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use a razor. it works better than anythig else
![Jan T]()
Jan T
on Jul 08, 2012
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HOW I use a razor: **** BE CARFEFUL NOT to put too much pressure on the blade. Slight angle and slow and easy! Slice along the edge of the window to glass (right along the caulk material), THEN SCRAPE the paint toward the edge. It should make it easy to vacuum off the glass (easier then pulling it pieces at a time.) ** I've painted intentfully W/O tape to see if it was just as much time NOT to use painters tape, but use THAT time to scrape, but I've painted LOTS of windows to know that its easier for me to tape, then paint, then after removing the tape, just a tiny bit of tape to scrape.
![Jim Ginas]()
Jim Ginas
on Jul 08, 2012
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Take a utility knife and trim around the inside of the window panes so when you remove the paint with a razor or even the utility knife works great you won't remove the paint on the wood.
![Cindy F]()
Cindy F
on Jul 08, 2012
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I'm with the rest ! Use a razor blade. It comes off better than anything else I've tried.
![Susan G]()
Susan G
on Jul 08, 2012
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Spray glass cleaner and then while wet use a straight edge razor blade. Always work with a wet surface or you can scratch the glass.
![Sandy S]()
Sandy S
on Jul 08, 2012
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we are all in agreement re the razor solution...Also one can use vaseline as a pre-empt with one's finger
![Esther D]()
Esther D
on Jul 08, 2012
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@Ginny G I like the way you think Girl! HaHaHA
![Sharron W]()
Sharron W
on Jul 08, 2012
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Use a paint scrapper. Its a cheap tool that uses a straight razer blade (comes with the tool) You can get them at any hardware store and most grocery stores
![Tammy T]()
Tammy T
on Jul 08, 2012
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Thank you SO much, everyone! Your advice was so helpful! I posted on my blog about the paint removal project, and my new status as a "Hometalk Fangirl." http://sixteenfourteen.weebly.com/2/post/2012/07/how-to-remove-paint-from-window-glass-hometalk-fangirl.html
![Sixteenfourteen]()
Sixteenfourteen
on Jul 09, 2012
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I use a small blade scraper, and it always works well. Afterwards I clean the window with glass cleaner and paper towels. I wouldn't use anything that might affect the paint. Best of luck.
![Diana Deiley]()
Diana Deiley
on Mar 02, 2016
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I think men do this type job on purpose sometimes, then we won't ask them to do things! Let him clean it, he won't make that mistake again.
![Glenda Pino]()
Glenda Pino
on Oct 01, 2016
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Single edge razor blades--the traditional choice and it works. They are often put INTO window scrapers so they are easier to hold. Follow Diana Deiley's advice.
![Judy H]()
Judy H
on Oct 02, 2016
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A razor blade held at an angle to the glass is the best way to remove paint. I NEVER tape off my glass any more. The razor is faster, cleaner, and doesn't leave a tape film (and is cheaper!) One important tip: Take the razor tip or a sharp pointed knife and cut the paint where the paint leaves the surface and touches the glass. Get as close to the painted surface as you dare. Then, when you scrape the paint off the glass, it leaves a "clean" edge next to the painted surface. Looks as though you DID tape it! :)
![Jag13930400]()
Jag13930400
on Oct 29, 2016
Designs by BSB
on Jul 07, 2012
Lauren Z
on Jul 07, 2012
Thistlewood
on Jul 07, 2012
Peggy B
on Jul 07, 2012
Sixteenfourteen
on Jul 07, 2012
Kim N
on Jul 07, 2012
Bernice H
on Jul 07, 2012
Joy2Journey
on Jul 07, 2012
Dan M
on Jul 07, 2012
Susan L
on Jul 07, 2012
Rhoda S
on Jul 07, 2012
Raymond G
on Jul 07, 2012
Susan L Bascom
on Jul 07, 2012
Betty M
on Jul 07, 2012
B
on Jul 07, 2012
Irene Compean T
on Jul 07, 2012
Patricia L
on Jul 07, 2012
Darla P
on Jul 07, 2012
Elaine G
on Jul 07, 2012
Mary S
on Jul 07, 2012
Judy H
on Jul 07, 2012
Linda L
on Jul 07, 2012
Betty W
on Jul 07, 2012
Sharron W
on Jul 07, 2012
Molly Q
on Jul 07, 2012
John T
on Jul 07, 2012
Ginny G
on Jul 07, 2012
Jan T
on Jul 08, 2012
Jim Ginas
on Jul 08, 2012
Cindy F
on Jul 08, 2012
Susan G
on Jul 08, 2012
Sandy S
on Jul 08, 2012
Esther D
on Jul 08, 2012
Tammy T
on Jul 08, 2012
Diana Deiley
on Mar 02, 2016
Glenda Pino
on Oct 01, 2016
Jag13930400
on Oct 29, 2016
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