How to get Spray Paint off a Mirror- 10 Easy Methods

Everybody loves spray paint because of its easy-to-use and the beautiful finish it can create if used properly. But what do you do when you accidentally get spray paint on an object you weren’t intending to paint, like a bathroom mirror? In this post, you’ll learn how to get spray paint off a mirror using 10 simple methods.

You can easily remove spray paint from a mirror by using nail polish, oven cleaner, graffiti remover, vinegar, paint thinner, varnish remover, a scraper, hand sanitizer, a pressure washer, or even a hairdryer. Regardless of the method used, be careful not to chip or break the mirror during removal.

Read on below to learn more about these ten paint removal methods.

how to get spray paint off a mirror

10 Easy Ways to Remove Spray Paint from a Mirror

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time when painting. Even if you’ve taped all of your borders and edges, it can still be tricky to stay within the lines. This is especially true for spray paint, which affects a wider area than simply using a brush.

If you find yourself staring at paint splotches on your mirror’s edges in your bathroom or bedroom, you may want to try one of the following ten methods for removing paint from a mirror:

  1. Nail Polish Remover
  2. Applying Easy-Off Oven Cleaner
  3. Graffiti Remover
  4. Vinegar & Baking Soda
  5. Applying Paint Thinner
  6. Applying Sunnyside 2-Minute Remover
  7. Scraper
  8. Hand Sanitizer
  9. Hairdryer
  10. Pressure Washer

 1. Nail Polish Remover

This is the most efficient method to remove paint stains on a mirror’s surface. It is extra handy because most people have a bottle of nail polish remover in the house already, so you won’t have to make a special trip to the store.

Personally, I have a wife and three daughters, so there is no shortage of nail polish remover in my house!

Picture of a bottle of 100% acetone nail polish remover.

When I was a kid, I remember playing with a spray paint can my mom gave me, thinking it was empty. But when I was playing with the spray paint can, I realized that it wasn’t completely empty and accidentally sprayed the pain onto a mirror in the garage.

Then my mother came and used her nail polish remover. It was like magic, and all the paint streaks got vanished within a few minutes.

I share this incident to let you know that nail polish remover can effectively be used to remove paint on the mirror.

When using nail polish remover to eliminate spray paint splotches on a mirror, try to observe whether the dots or specks of spray paint are tiny or large. If they aren’t that big, you can apply nail polish remover on a folded strip of paper towel first, then apply it on the surface.

Apply only small quantities of nail polish remover. The nail polish remover will dissolve the paint very quickly, so all you’ll have to do is clean off the polish after a few minutes.

2. Applying Easy-Off Oven Cleaner

Now, if nail polish remover didn’t work for you, another great alternative is to use Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Be careful, though, because these cleaners contain a lot of potentially harmful chemicals, which can be quite dangerous.

You may consider wearing rubber gloves and obtaining an N-95 mask before using this chemical.

A picture of a can of Easy-Off oven cleaner.

To protect your floor, you can cover the areas you want to protect with painting tape before applying the easy-off oven cleaner. This way, you will have a polished mirror that is free of any stains.

To apply, simply spray the oven cleaner on the affected area, wait a few minutes for the solution to work its magic, then wipe the mirror off with a microfiber towel.

3. Graffiti Remover

If you’ve got a graffiti remover lying around the house, you should have no problem getting rid of the spray paint on your mirror. Yes, graffiti remover also works very well and removes spray paint streaks within a few minutes. If you don’t have this product, you can pick up heavy-duty cleaners like the one shown below at any big-box hardware store in your city or town.

Picture of a bottle of graffiti paint remover.

The best thing about graffiti remover is that it is a highly effective stain remover and safe for areas where animals and humans live. However, before beginning, you must first test the chemicals on a small area to make sure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.

You can cover the mirror’s edges using painting tape so that the spray doesn’t get on the wood or plastic frame. Spray 7 inches away from the area affected, and ensure that you apply enough chemicals to soak up the stain.

After 2 minutes, use a soft, clean cloth to clean the surface. Repeat the process to remove any difficult stains.

4. Vinegar & Baking Soda

If you still aren’t able to get rid of the paint on your mirror, try cleaning vinegar mixed with baking soda and dish soap. This type of vinegar is different from regular vinegar because it is less diluted, offering a more concentrated and powerful cleaning solution.

Picture of a bottle of cleaning vinegar.

Be sure to put on rubber gloves before you apply this vinegar-based cleanser to avoid absorbing this strong-smelling solution into your hands. Use a cotton ball to apply the solution and allow it a couple of minutes to do its job.

You can then clean the paint stain off using the help of a soft, microfiber cloth or a toothbrush.

5. Paint Thinner

It can be difficult to remove spray paint stains using the methods listed above if the paint is old, hard, and has been dry for a long time.

In this case, it is best to apply paint thinners.

Picture of a bottle of paint thinner.

Before using paint thinners, first check that the space is adequately ventilated before performing any work because these fumes can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. 

Place a small amount of cloth over the thinner to soak it and then apply it to the affected area. Be sure to wear your rubber gloves when you do this.

To weaken the thick paint, it will take a few minutes to absorb the thinner into the paint. After that, you can clean the stains away.

6. Sunnyside 2-Minute Remover

This is another great alternative if the spray paint is old and hard to remove. You can use Sunnyside 2-minute remover to get those crusty engrained paint stains out in no time… well, 2-minutes time to be exact.

Picture of a can of liquid varnish remover.

Sunnyside 2-minute remover is a revolutionary safe formula that is Methylene chloride-free, and it is meant to remove not only paint but varnish as well, which is even more difficult to remove in most situations.

  • Use a brush and dip it into the paint remover. Then, apply on top of the old paint.
  • Once the paint is covered, The stripper should be left on for about two hours to help soften the old paint.
  • After the paint is loose and dry, you can use a plastic knife or sharp blade to scrape the paint off.

The plastic won’t harm the mirror. Therefore, I would recommend using it to continue until all paint is taken off.

Then, soak a towel in vinegar to clear away the paint remove on your mirror, and then polish it.

Bravo! Your mirror is now clean.

7. Scraper

If you dislike chemical substances, you can still take your paint stains off using the traditional method. It is possible to use the sharp edge of a razor blade or even a dedicated paint scraper to scrape the paint stain off. However, if you’re wondering how to get paint off a mirror without scratching it, know you’ll need to be very careful while using a scraper or razor blade.

For a more effective method, make a mix of liquid soap and water. Apply the mixture to the affected area using a soft towel.

Let the soap solution soak into the paint stain for a few minutes. This is extremely beneficial since it can prevent scratch marks from appearing on mirrors by creating a layer of lubrication on the surface. After letting it soak, you can attempt to remove it with a scraper or straight-edged razor.

It is important to exercise caution to ensure that you don’t scratch your glass while you’re at it. The blade should be moved from one side to the next slowly and evening. Then, raise the blade after each stroke instead of dragging it back. Pulling it in the other direction is unnecessary since this could result in a scratch.

Stop the procedure at the smallest sound of any kind. Add more soapy water as needed.

Repeat the process slowly until you’re certain that all staining of the paint is gone. Then wash the mirror using soap again to wash off any stain if left.

Also read: How long does spray paint take to dry? 7 Steps to dry it even faster.

8. Hand Sanitizer

Most households already contain hand sanitizer. And though this substance is mostly used to kill germs, you should also know that most sanitizers also contain more than 70% alcohol which can be surprisingly effective at removing paint from surfaces.

If you want to remove paint from a mirror in your house, apply some sanitizer on the spray paint stains and let the sanitizer dry. Once it’s dried out, apply some more sanitizer to it. Just repeat this process twice or thrice until the paint stains soften.

After that, take a soft cloth or cotton and remove the paint. Once the paint is removed, wash the mirror with soap and water gently.

9. Hairdryer

If you’re looking to take spray paint off the mirror but do not have access to the things mentioned in the above paragraph, I have another simple method for you; use a hairdryer.

Yes, you read that right. You can also use a hair dryer to remove paint for certain types of paint, such as latex, but before using the hairdryer apply some soapy water onto the paint stains. 

Now make sure to turn the hairdryer on, also make sure it is heated, then use a moist and soft cloth to clean it.

10. Pressure Washer

A pressure washer can also be used to remove spray paint stains from a mirror if you are able to bring the mirror outside and lay it down on a flat surface. Just remember to keep the water pressure extremely low. If the water pressure is too high it may break the glass.

Before using the water pressure, make sure to apply some soap water on the spray paint stains. Then turn on the pressure washer. It will wash all the spray paint away.

These are few effective and easy ways that you can try to remove the spray paint off your glass. If you have any other questions, you can ask me in the comment box below.

What kind of paint is hard to clean from a mirror?

While water-based and acrylic craft paints delicately adhere to the mirror and are easy to scrub away, the enamel, once dried, can be a little more difficult to get rid of.

This is why enamel paints made of oil may require additional effort and time to remove and clean the surface thoroughly.

Can you use acetone on a glass mirror?

A stronger remover for paint like Acetone (or the use of a thinner for paint) will help you get spray paint off mirrors, particularly if regular nail polish doesn’t work.

How can I get paint off of a mirror?

Pour a large amount of nail polish remover onto a small amount of the folded or wadded-up towel. The wet towel should be rubbed onto the specks of paint to soften them. Then, wipe off the paint from the mirror.


Will nail polish remover ruin a mirror?

No, but use only the quantity you’re required and give the pressure that you think the glass’s surface can handle; however, be careful and ensure that you don’t damage the glass.

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