How to Clean Paint Off Antique Window Glass
Cleaning paint from antique window glass requires persistence and patience, but can be accomplished with preparation and the proper cleaning supplies. Cleaning paint from antique window glass requires the same process as cleaning paint from any window glass with the exception of protection against potential lead-based paint. By using window cleaner, a razor blade and the new magic eraser product, cleaning paint off antique window glass is a very manageable chore. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Razor blade
- Window cleaner
- Mr. Clean magic erasers
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Rag
- Rubber gloves
- Protective face mask
Instructions
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Put on a protective face mask and rubber gloves. This is to protect against lead dust that could be stirred by the removal of lead-based paint. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, lead was utilized in paint pigment in two-thirds of houses built before 1940. One-half of houses and buildings built between 1940 and 1960 utilized lead-based paint.
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Wet the window with warm water and a rag and spray heavily with a window cleaner. According to Free Window Cleaning Tips, you should never use a razor on dry glass because the glass could be scratched.
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Scrape the paint from the glass with the razor blade. You may be able to remove a large section of paint by gently sliding the razor beneath a thicker paint layer and flicking the razor upward. Continue to moisten the window with the window cleaner as you scrape.
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4
Wipe the area of the scraped glass with a damp magic eraser, pressing firmly to remove paint particles. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, you should always use a wet removal method for lead-based paint.
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Continue scraping with the razor and wetting with the window cleaner and wiping with the magic eraser. Scrub the antique window glass with a wet magic eraser, pressing firmly on any remaining paint until all paint is removed.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a large number of windows to remove paint from and you know your house was built prior to the 1960s, it is a wise idea to have professionals test and remove the paint professionally to reduce the risk of inhalation of poisonous lead-based paint dust. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, lead poisoning can lead to brain damage, retard mental, physical and fetal development, cause nerve damage and lead to blood pressure complications.
