Removing Paint from Tile

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.