Removing Paint from Windows

Written by April Reinhardt (last updated July 25, 2022)

Perhaps you've moved into an old house and the window frames have been painted and repainted many times, leaving paint marks on the glass. Or perhaps you've taken an afternoon to paint your window frames without taking the time to properly tape around the glass, leaving overspray or brush marks on the glass. Whatever your reason for needing to remove paint from windows, the following instructions can help. You'll need dishwashing liquid, water, a bucket, a six-inch razor blade, clean rags, a squeegee, and a Dobie Scrotch-Brite cleaning pad, or similar pad that won't scratch when scouring. Here's how to remove paint from windows:

  1. Fill your bucket with warm water, and add several squirts of dishwashing liquid. Agitate the mixture a little and allow it to become sudsy.
  2. With the cleaning pad, apply the solution to the window and scrub well to remove loose dirt, grime, and debris from the windowpane.
  3. Wet the windowpane thoroughly with your cleaning solution and use your razor blade to scrape the paint from the glass. It is important to keep the glass wet while removing paint particles, else you might scratch the glass surface.
  4. With a clean rag, wipe the glass to determine if you've removed all of the paint particles. If not, repeat step number three, remembering to keep the glass wet.
  5. Once you've removed all of the paint particles, wet the glass one more time and then squeegee away the water.

You can allow the windowpane to air dry, or you may choose to use old newspapers to dry away the remaining water. If you need to remove old paint from a window frame, use a putty knife and paint scraper to scrape away the paint, taking care not to mar the surface of the wood or aluminum window frame. Clean gently with a clean rag and your cleaning solution, and allow to air dry.

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

MORE FROM APRIL

Drought-Resistant Plants

Plants that require frequent watering not only put a strain on local water resources, they are high maintenance. Choose ...

Discover More

Basics in Garden Design and Planning

Consider growing zones, irrigation, sun exposure, water drainage, and yard location when designing and planning your ...

Discover More

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Speak with your health practitioner about ways to lower your cholesterol naturally and then choose to eat a low-fat diet. ...

Discover More

Find the Right Tool Right Away Finally, a homeowner's set that includes all the tools needed to complete basic DIY projects at an affordable price! The tools are stored in a molded case for security and portability. Check out Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Hanging New Blinds

New blinds can pose exciting new possibilities for the aesthetic appeal of a room. Learning to properly hang new blinds ...

Discover More

How to Cut Glass

Whether you are looking to do some repair glazing work, or you are looking to create a unique window you will eventually ...

Discover More

Replacing Windows

Whether you're replacing a small windowpane, or a sliding glass door pane, the premise for replacing a window is the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 + 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.