Removing spray paint from metal surfaces can be tricky. You want to take the paint off but you do not want to damage or compromise the metal itself. When asking the question about how to remove spray paint from metal remember that the kind of metal, the age of the metal, and the type of paint are all going to make a difference in the approach you take to removing the paint.
There are several methods of paint removal that work on metal surfaces. These include:
- Soaking small items in paint thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine, or liquid paint removers.
- Using commercial spray paint removers
- Using carnauba wax on metal like automobiles are made of
- Sand blasting
- Household items like baking soda and vinegar
- Use an angle grinder that has a strip disk on it
Methods of paint removal to avoid:
- Do not use coarse sandpaper on the metal you may do a lot of damage
- Do not use a wire brush you can scratch or damage the metal
- Heat guns – prolonged exposure to the extreme heat produced by these guns can damage the metal surface
How to Remove Spray Paint from Metal with Stripping Gel
Stripping gels are one of the most commonly purchased paint stripping substances. They are thick, easy to apply, and they are very effective.
Warning: read the label of the stripping gel carefully to make sure it can be applied to metal surfaces.
Supplies You Will Need to Remove Spray Paint
- Drop cloths to place under the metal object
- Heat-resistant and chemical-resistant gloves
- Safety goggles or protective eyewear
- Shirt with long sleeves to protect arms
- Long pants
- Closed toe shoes
- Dust mask or respirator
- If you are using a tool like an angle grinder you will want to have ear plugs to protect your hearing
- Putty knife or paint scraper (a heavy plastic scraper is going to do less possible damage to the metal surface)
- Hard bristled brush (plastic bristle scrub brushes, vegetable brushes, and hard bristle toothbrushes all work well in this capacity)
- A disposable container (preferably one that has a lid and is made of material sturdy enough to handle the stripping gel exposure)
- Clean, dry rags
- Tongs to place small items in the stripper
- Mineral spirits
- Paintbrush
Prepare The Surface
Your first task before removing the paint is to remove any dirt, grime, oily substances, and such from the metal. Give the metal a thorough cleaning, and if you are working with large sheets of metal you might want to consider a pressure washer to wash away all of the contaminants on the pieces.
Let the metal dry completely before you proceed.
Apply The Gel
You will want to pour some of the stripping gel into a disposable container. Then dip the paintbrush into the gel like you were about to paint the item. The paintbrush will let you apply a thick coating of the gel. You want to establish a thick covering that is consistent and does not have some thick areas and some thin areas.
Wait Few Minutes
Each gel needs a different amount of time to work properly. Read the container to discern the appropriate amount of time for the gel you are using to be left on the metal. Most gels work in a period of 10 to 30 minutes, with a 15-minute wait period being the most common.
Warning: Do NOT leave the gel on the metal long enough for the gel to dry on the surface. When the gel dries on the surface it becomes very hard to remove and will prolong the extraction process.
Use Putty Knife
When the time period has elapsed, you should be able to see the paint beginning to bubble up, crack and blister. You want to use the plastic scraper or putty knife and push it along the metal surface so that you lift up the globs of paint and gel.
Use old newspaper to wipe the globs of gel and paint from your scraper.
Clean with Brush
When you have scraped the loose stuff away you can take your brush and scrub at the areas where paint is still clinging. This scrubbing action may cause paint to peel up and come off.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Metal With Household Items
Repeat the Gel Application 2+ Times
Most of the time you are going to have to apply the gel, scrape it away, then apply another layer of the gel several times before you lift off all of the paint on the surface. Be patient and keep repeating the application and scraping away process until the paint is removed.
Clean with Mineral Spirits
Once the paint has been totally removed you want to clean the metal using mineral spirits. The mineral spirits will effectively deactivate and wash away all of the chemical gel stripper left on the surface. Wipe the metal down with a clean dry rag to remove the mineral spirits.
Steps to Remove Paint Using Baking Soda or Vinegar
There are some instances when baking soda from your cupboard can be used to remove paint from metal objects. Normally the baking soda treatment is used only on small metal pieces.
Supplies You Will Need
- An old pot
- A source of heat like a stove, a fire, or a burner
- Water (1 quart)
- Baking soda or vinegar (1/4 cup)
- Tongs
- Heat protective gloves
- Goggles or protective eyewear
- Putty knife
- Hard bristled brush
- Dry rags
Step 1: Put the water and the baking soda or vinegar in the pot. Use one-quarter of a cup of baking soda or vinegar for each quart of water. If you are using vinegar, use white distilled vinegar, not apple cider vinegar.
Step 2: Place the metal object that has the paint on it in the pot so that the fluids cover the item completely.
Step 3: Put the pot on the heat source and bring the fluid contents to a bubbling boil.
Step 4: Boil the item for a period of fifteen minutes. (You may begin to see the paint turning loose and falling off of the item.
Step 5: When you remove the item from the water use the tongs to lift it so you do not burn your hands. Hold the item over a dry rag so the hot water does not splash onto your clothing.
Step 6: Use the putty knife or the brush and scrub vigorously at any paint you can see still sticking to the metal.
Step 7: Repeat, You may need to repeat the process several times before all of the paint is totally removed. Once the item is clear of paint rinse it completely to remove any residue.
Remove Spray Paint Using Chemical VS Non-Chemical Substances
Basically, you can remove paint using chemical components like commercial paint strippers and gels, or you can use methods like grinders, heat guns, and non-chemical agents. Which method is best depending on your preferences, the metal you are working with, and your time limitations?
Benefits of Chemical Stripping Agents and Solvents
- Fast
- Easy to apply
- Very effective
- Less work is involved
- No high heat is involved
- You do not have to buy or operate a grinder
Benefits of Non-Chemical Methods
- No toxic properties
- Not a danger to the ozone or environment
- Baking soda and vinegar are gentler on the metal and less likely to cause any damage or corrosive responses
- No hazardous materials to dispose of
- You do not have to boil the baking soda and vinegar outside because the fumes are non-toxic so not as much ventilation is required
Answers You Looking For:
Does Paint Strip Gels Damage Metal?
Most stripping gels can be used on metal surfaces with no adverse reactions. Check the gel label to make certain it can be applied to the metal you are working with.
Can You Use a Heat Gun to Remove Paint from Metal?
Heat guns are effective methods of removing paint from metal. You do not want to use a heat gun on very thin pieces of metal, and you do not want to concentrate the heat on one portion of the metal for long periods of time. This is the easiest method of removing thick payers or multiple layers of paint in a short amount of time.
What is the Most Effective Solvent against Spray Paint?
Acetone and lacquer thinner are the two strongest solvents. They soften and dissolve the majority of paints and even work on clear coats and epoxy substances that harden as they dry.
Acetone nail polish can even be used to remove paint that has gotten on your skin. Always try a test spot first to make sure you will not have any adverse reactions to the acetone on your skin. When you are finished rinse the area with clean water and pay dry. Then apply a lotion to protect the skin and prevent drying.
Things to Consider
When you are working with metal you should always wear gloves. Sheet metal can have sharp edges that may cut your skin. Never keep solvents or stripping gels near a source of flame like a water heater. Always keep solvents and stripping gels out of reach of children.
Final Thoughts
Removing paint from metal allows you to renovate objects or correct spills and drippings that occur when you are painting other things. Be careful to wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles, and do the work outside or in a well-ventilated area so that toxic fumes cannot build up during the process.
Some gel strippers and chemical solvents can expose the metal and allow rust and corrosion to start to damage the surface. After you use a chemical paint remover on a metal object do not expose the metal to moisture until you have had time to coat it so that it will be protected from rust or corrosion.
