Remove Paint Splatters

When you are painting anything you are bound to have a few paint splatters depending on your skill level. Even the best painters have a problem with splatter sometimes so don't feel bad. Splatter if left to its own devices can be very unsightly and can ruin your finish.

There are many methods that you can use to remove splatter and it just depends on the amount of splatter and the age of it. As an example, you may want to remove splatter quickly when you see it or it may be days later. Sometimes people before you actually did the painting and you have no control over the splatter. Whatever the reason, the good news is that it can be removed.

What you use to remove splatter will also depend on the surface that you are cleaning. As an example, wood floors that receive splatter will need acetone or lacquer to remove them depending on the age of the splatter.

Here are some ways for removing splatter:


Goof Off
Goof Off is a product that is used to remove all sorts of things. The product claims that it removes dried latex paint, most adhesives, crayon, grease, and many other things. The challenge with the product is it is flammable, has a strong odor, and is harmful if swallowed. This would need to be used in an area with good ventilation. This would also be something to keep away from children because it has a bright yellow can that will attract them.

Use Warm Water
When you have very old splatters the best place to start is with warm water because they will not harm most surfaces. You will want to use very hot water on wood floors but watch that the water doesn’t seep into the cracks of the wood.

Scrape It Off
Most people will have the tendency to scrape paint splatter off with a putty knife which can be a good way to do it. This is particularly effective on newer paint splatters because they can usually be lifted without ruining the paint job or the surface.

Use Mild Cleaning Agents
A mild cleaning agent like TSP (trisodium phosphate) dissolved in water can be used to remove the stains. If you have a surface that can take it use a Brillo pad to work on the paint. This can take more than one try so this is one of the most patient methods for removing paint splatters.

Paint Thinner
Some paint splatter is pretty stubborn especially when it is older. A paint thinner will go onto the stain and hopefully make it thin enough that after several tries you will be able to remove it. This method should be used if nothing has worked to this point.

Acetone Or Lacquer Thinner
This is the harshest way and should be used when everything else you have done has failed. The challenge is that his will dull the finish of anything you use it on and might mar or damage hardwood floors if you are using this on them.