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How to Remove House Paint from Window Screens.

Member
By MacDonald
User-Submitted Article
(3 Ratings)

Like everything else on your home, window screens need to be cleaned once in a while. If they were not removed when the house was last painted, you may also have paint drips or overspray on them.
How much success you have cleaning paint off of your window screens depends on how much paint, the type of paint and whether you have big drips or discoloration from spray paint.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Heavy duty household cleaner
  • Paint remover
  • Large soft bristle brush
  • Toothbrush
  • Garden hose or bathtub
  • Paint thinner
  • Black spray paint
  • Masking tape
  1. Step 1

    Remove the screens. Make note of which windows they came from. Otherwise you'll have a hard time matching them up later.

  2. Step 2

    If you have paint drips, paint remover may get it off. This will be easier if it's water based paint. If you are using paint remover, make sure you stack the screens someplace where the paint remover won't damage any surrounding material or paint. Liberally spray or brush the remover over the paint according to the label directions.

  3. Step 3

    Once the recommended time has passed, use your toothbrush to gently scrub at the softened paint. If you are trying to get rid of overspray on a larger area, use your large soft bristle brush. Don't press too hard because it can stretch the screen. Repeat the process if necessary, rinsing in between.

  4. Step 4

    If water beads up around the softened paint, it's probably oil based. Use paint thinner to rinse the area, followed by warm water and detergent.

  5. Step 5

    Gently scrub the whole screen and rinse with a hose or under the shower in your bathtub. If there is still paint residue that won't come off, or a discolored area, try this: mask off the frame and apply two light coats of black spray paint to the whole screen.

  6. Step 6

    If, no matter what, you can't remove white or light colored paint that has dripped and clogged up the mesh, spray paint black right over it. It will at least be less noticeable from the outside of your house that way.

Tips & Warnings
  • A black permanent marker is a cheater's way of covering up light colored drips on your screens.
  • If the screens are really hopeless, search this site for instructions on how to replace them yourself or check your local hardware store. It is neither difficult nor expensive to replace worn out screens.
  • Most modern screens are vinyl and are easily stretched out of shape or ripped so be careful with cleaning them.

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