Home > categories > Construction & Real Estate > Tile > Does anyone know how to remove paint from tile without ruining the original tile?
Question:

Does anyone know how to remove paint from tile without ruining the original tile?

We just bought an old house and the previous owners did a really poor paint job. I scratched off some paint on the tiles in the breakfast nook and the original tile looks really nice. I want to remove the rest of the paint without damaging the tiles.

Answer:

Providing the tile you are discribing is a fired material, you can't hurt it with almost any chemical. Think of the glazed top of the tile as being a glass surface. An exception might be if the glaze has craze lines in the surface. Colors from paint spatters can find their way into these cracks and are almost impossible to get out. SO test the chemical in a small area first. Some paints will not be easily effected by thinners or mineral spirits .you may have to try Turpentine or equal. Acetone is stronger yet. It's the base for fingernail polish remover with a little oil smell good added. A small razor blade paint scraper is also handy. When using a razor make sure first that it dosn't leave a silver like scratch mark on the surface. This is the information that I found at the site below. I bought big bottles of cheap fingernail polish remover. Worked like a charm. I also used the finest grade of steel wool. And I used a plastic scraper so as not to scratch the surface. Hope this helps!! Have fun!!
Try using a Heat Gun. Cheap or rentable locally. They lift paint beautifully. Ask the guys that sell/rent what they think. It depends on what kind of paint. It's probubly enamel. There are solvents that will lift that stuff like you wouldn't believe. Wear gloves, eye protect, and reperator if you can't get good ventilation. Othewise you'll lift the inside of your nose too! Scraper or putty knife will peel it all away.
paint thinner?

Share to: