How to Remove Spray Paint from Vinyl Siding

If you have paint on your vinyl siding that you do not want there then how to remove paint from vinyl siding is one of the biggest questions floating around in your mind. You want to get rid of the paint without damaging the siding. You also want to get rid of the paint with the least amount of work.

Why Do You Need to Remove Paint from Vinyl Siding

Paint can be present because someone painted the siding previously, and now it is peeling or you simply want to change the color. The paint you want to remove can also be the result of:

• Spray paint that allowed paint particles to drift over to your siding
• Graffiti or acts of vandalism
• Spills when you were painting something like the trim of the house

How the paint got on the vinyl is not really important, the important facts are how to get it off.

Things You Should Know about Spray Paint Removing from Vinyl Siding

The first thing you have to determine is the length of time the paint has been on the surface. The longer the paint has been on the siding the more difficult it is going to be to remove. Before you can decide how to start the removal process you need to know:

• The length of time the paint has been present: the fresher paint will be easier to remove. If you are removing a painting mishap or graffiti art, try to get at it as soon as you notice it. The longer the paint stays in place the tighter it bonds with the surface materials.
• The type of paint such as oil-base or water-base: Different cleaning agents are required to address paints that are formulated with an oil-base than paints that are formulated with a water-base. If you are uncertain as to the type of paint that was used then always start your attempts with methods approved for water-based paints because the ingredients will be less harsh. If you cannot remove the paint using these milder agents then move on to the chemical solvents designed to get rid of oil-based substances.

Armed with these facts you can choose the best method to remove the unwanted substance.

You may also like to read How to Remove Spray Paint from Walls

5 Methods to Remove the Spray Paint from Vinyl Siding

Supplies You Must Have

The following items are going to be needed no matter what cleaning agent you decide to use to get the paint off.

• A coarse cloth or rough cloth
• A clean dry cloth
• A medium to stiff bristled brush, (no wire brushes)
• A plastic scraper for dried on paint that needs to be coerced into letting go
• Disposable gloves to protect your hands
• Bucket or pail of water, if a garden hose is readily available you may be able to use just the garden hose and eliminate the need for a bucket or pail
• Agent, solvent of choice

Step 1: Non-Toxic Cleaners and Substances

Option 1: Soap and Water

If you are dealing with water-based paint that has not been in place too long simply cleaning with soap and water may be all you need to do.

1. Gather your materials and place a little bit of liquid dish detergent into an empty bucket, then add water to the bucket to create a soapy solution.
2. Use the coarse cloth or a sponge to apply the soapy water generously to the paint.
3. Use your medium to coarse bristled brush and scrub at the paint. You can also use the coarse cloth to scrub at it. Apply firm pressure and work the edges first in an attempt to make the edges break free so the rest of the paint will break free.
4. Rinse the area with clean water and repeat the process until the paint is removed.

Option 2: Vegetable Oil/Cooking Oil

Oil might be the one thing that can get the paint to turn loose without doing any damage to the surface material.

• Gather your materials. Get some cooking oil and some warm soapy water ready.
• Use paper towels or similar product to apply a generous coating of the oil to the painted area. Let the oil remain on the area for a few minutes, or until it starts to dry in place.
• Use your brush to scrub at the oil working from the outer edges. This should start to break away small pieces of the paint. Keep working over the area removing small pieces at a time.
• When the paint is removed you need to use the warm soapy water and your coarse cloth to clean the oil residue off of the surface.
• Rinse the area with clean water when you have all of the paint and oil removed.

Option 3: Rubbing Alcohol/denatured Alcohol

1. Gather your materials.
2. Apply the alcohol to the painted area with generous amounts of alcohol.
3. Let the alcohol sit on the paint but remember alcohol evaporates very quickly so start working at the edges of the paint with your brush while the alcohol is still damp.
4. Repeat the alcohol application and continue to work at the edges of the painted area with the brush and coarse rag to cause the paint to begin to pull away from the surface.
5. When you have the paint removed wipe the area down with a damp cloth or rinse it with water from the garden hose.

Step 2: Using Chemical Solvents

Sometimes the paint is very stubborn and you have to resort to chemical solvents to get it completely removed.

Acetone

Acetone can be used to remove stubborn paint that has begun to dry in place. If the paint is really fresh you may use fingernail polish remover that is an acetone-based remover, or you can go to the automotive store and buy acetone in larger quantities.

1. Gather your materials and also get the acetone and a sponge or paper towel to apply the acetone. Make sure you are wearing disposable gloves to protect your hands.
2. Apply the acetone and vigorously rub at the area with a coarse cloth or brush. Repeat the application and scrub until the paint is gone.
3. Wash the area with mild soapy water to remove the acetone.
4. Rinse the area with clean water.

Mineral Spirits/Paint Thinner works like acetone, but mineral spirits are less volatile and they are less harsh than acetone. Take the same precautions with mineral spirits that you would take with acetone.

Step 3: Graffiti Removers

If you simply cannot get the paint to come off you can always try a specialty product designed to remove graffiti. Most of these products are sprayed onto the surface area, allowed to sit for 15 minutes or more, and then washed off of the area. You may need to repeat the process several times before all of the paint is cleared away.

Don’t know how to clean dried latex paint from a paint sprayer, then read our dedicated guide on this topic.   

Pro Tips: Get Paint off Vinyl Siding

• Never use steel wool to try and rub off paint on vinyl. The steel wool can scratch and damage the surface of the vinyl.
• Do not use a heat gun to try and remove paint from vinyl. The heat of the gun will distort the vinyl.
• Do not use a sander or sand paper on vinyl when you are removing paint.
• Wear eye protection and disposable plastic gloves when you are working with chemical-formulated removers like graffiti removers or paint removers. You also may want to protect your hands and eyes when using acetone.
• Acetone is highly flammable do not smoke while you are applying it. Do not store the container near a heat source like a gas-powered water heater. Keep it out of reach of children.
• If you have had your mineral spirits for a long time there is a good chance that they are not as powerful and effective as they were when they were fresh. If the container is more than 6 months old then buy fresh remover.

Final Thoughts

Removing paint from vinyl siding requires a lot of elbow grease and a lot of patience. It is going to be a slow and tedious task, but do not give up and eventually, you will have the paint removed.