How to Take Paint Off Plexiglas

Plexiglas can be given a decorative finish for windows.

Plexiglas is a commonly used durable plastic used in windows, skylights and display cases. While this plastic is strong and hard to break, it can grab liquids such as paint. If you have gotten paint on a piece of Plexiglas, use a cleaning method that will not damage the plastic material.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 3/4 cup of water
• 2 squirt bottles
• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
• White terry cloth rags
• Painter’s tape

Instructions

1. Dilute a cup of white vinegar with 3/4 cups of water and pour into a plastic squirt bottle. Spray the Plexiglas and use a white, terry cloth rag to wipe cleaner away. Terry cloth is best, because it has soft fibers that won’t damage the Plexiglas.

2. Apply painter's tape around the stain. Chemicals that are used to dissolve paint can be harsh on bare Plexiglas, so you will want to you apply chemicals only to the paint stain.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol into a squirt bottle and squirt the paint with alcohol. Again make sure to apply it only to the paint area. Hold a rag underneath the stain to catch any alcohol that may run down. Let sit for five minutes, then use a rag to gently wipe paint away.

4. Repeat the previous steps until all of the paint has dissolved and been wiped away, then gently remove painter’s tape, and wipe down Plexiglas one more time with your diluted vinegar.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a soft-fibered rag on Plexiglas. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers.

• Chemicals that dissolve paint are acetone-free nail polish remover, paint thinner, and kerosene. Use chemicals in a well-ventilated area, and again make sure they are applied only to the stain and wiped away after five minutes.

References

• Techlib: Paint And Adhesive Removal
• Housekeeping Channel: Plexiglass