Removing Paint from Tile

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated April 12, 2021)

Paint can always be a difficult thing to remove, and for some reason when it gets onto tile it seems to get even more difficult to remove. Never fear though, there are methods that you can use to make removing paint from tile a little easier. Easier, not effortless though. No matter what method for removal that you decide on, you will still need to put in a bit of elbow grease.

  • Scrape it off. Simply scraping the paint off will often work. However, when you use this method you will need to be particularly careful since you can easily cause some damage to the tiles themselves. Using a putty knife or a razor blade, start scraping the paint off. When doing this, make sure that you hold the blade at an angle. By holding the blade at an angle, you not only are able to apply a little extra pressure to the stain, you are also going to reduce the chances of accidentally gouging the tile underneath.
  • Scour the tile. A scouring pad can also help remove paint, not only from the tile itself but from the surrounding tile. This will require a bit of elbow grease, but be as gentle as possible when using a scouring pad. The reason is that if you are not careful, a scouring pad can damage the tile by creating micro gouges which are then more susceptible to stain. When using a scouring pad, use warm soapy water at the same time.
  • Nail polis remover. Apply some nail polish remover to a cotton ball, and then apply this to the paint stain itself. The primary ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone, which is a paint remover, so this will help break up the paint quite a bit. Best of all, nail polish remover isn't as strong as most traditional paint thinners, so you are less likely to cause damage to the tile underneath. Use a non-scratch pad or cloth to scrub the paint away after applying the nail polish remover.
  • Specialized cleaning products. There are specialized cleaning solutions that you can purchase which will help remove smaller (quarter to fifty cent piece sized) blotches of paint from tile. These are products such as Goof Off, and Goo Gone. While these products will work best for fresh paint spills, they can also help remove any stubborn remnants that you are having problems with. Simply follow the directions as provided by the manufacturer to ensure the best possible results.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Replacing an Electrical Outlet

Replacing an outlet is one of the easier tasks that an amateur electrician can undertake. Here is how you can do this ...

Discover More

Planting a Winter Hanging Basket

Just because winter is here doesn't mean that you have to go through gardening withdrawals. Planting a winter hanging ...

Discover More

Determining When You Need an Alignment

There are all kinds of ways that the alignment on your car can go out of whack. But how do you know if it has? ...

Discover More

Tough Cleaning Jobs Require Brawny! Brawny paper towels provide the versatility you need: the strength for demanding jobs and the softness to clean up your child's messy face. This 24-roll pack of pick-a-size sheets can handle just about every cleaning task in your home. Check out Brawny 24-Pack Giant Paper Towels today!

More Cleaning Tips

Removing Ketchup Stains

The most important part about removing a ketchup stain is to get as much of it out as possible as soon as you can. To ...

Discover More

Removing Mildew from Furniture

Whether it is the result of flooding, or you accidentally forgot to cover up some patio furniture, mildew and mold can be ...

Discover More

Remove Rust Stains

Small rust stains can be treated on clothing by boiling the clothing with cream of tartar. Garments that cannot tolerate ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.