How to Remove Paint from Porcelain Tub
A porcelain tub can make a great addition to your home by changing the entire design of the kitchen. This material looks beautiful, and caring for them is the most important thing. The good thing about this material is that it is resistant to solvent, dirt, and grime. But it is essential to be careful because porcelain scratches easily, and many chemicals can dissolve or destroy the material.
Sometimes when you are painting your kitchen or bathroom, you may forget to cover the sink area and drop the paint onto the porcelain sink. The paint can stain the porcelain surface immediately. Leaving the paint drippings to stay on this surface for a long time may destroy the tub’s beautiful look. However, with proper treatment, you can easily remove the mess without ruining the surface.
5 Steps to Remove Paint from Porcelain Tub
There are many ways of removing the paint from the porcelain tub. And when you are following this way, you won’t have to worry about the uncertain damages.
Step one: Test the paint.
Testing the paint to know if it is water-based or oil-based is the first step into removing the paint from the porcelain surface. Knowing the type of paint used is important because it will help you know the appropriate solvents. To test it is very simple. Take a cloth or cotton and moisten it with denatured alcohol or rubbing alcohol.
Rub the paint several times and look at the cloth to see if the color has rubbed off onto it. If it is rubbed, then the paint is water-based, and if it is clean, then the paint is oil-based.
If you get the paint is water-based, continue rubbing it off with an alcohol-soaked cloth to remove it completely. You can also remove it with an abrasive sponge, water, and soap. If the paint is oil-based, then water or alcohol will not have much effect on the paint. Take a cloth dampened with lacquer thinner or acetone and try rubbing the stain. If the stain persists, you can then go to step two and do the following.
Step two: Use the paint stripper
A paint stripper is a quite affordable and effective solution for both oil and water-based paints. It removes both water and oil-based paints with ease. You are advised to put on goggles and rubber gloves when using it. Use a paintbrush to spread the stripper on the paint. Let it settle for ten minutes before the paint starts to blister. You can spread more if it does not happen quickly.
Use the paint scraper to remove the stripper and the paint. It is recommended that you use a metal scraper instead of the plastic scraper to avoid the possibility of damage to your porcelain tub. Wash the porcelain surface with soapy water after scraping off the stripper and paint to remove the residue and neutralize the stripper. Remember to rinse it several times with clear water.
Step three: Use an extra-strong cleaner
Sometimes old paint may be difficult to remove. Using an extra-strong cleaner can be effective. A combination of a damp washcloth and Bon Ami cleanser powder can get off the old-water-based paint easily from the porcelain tub. The WD-40 lubricant spray is another extra strong cleaner that works well on wet and dried-out paints. The chemical can also remove rust stains from porcelain tubs.
To effectively execute this step, you need the rag, dish soap, non-scratch cloth scouring pad, and a plastic scraping tool. Apply the spray on the paint and allow it to settle for about 10 to 15 minutes.
The moment the paint begins to blister, scoop the paint out using the scraping tool. Reapply the spray again if the paint is too hard and thick. Scrape again and if it doesn’t get off, rub the paint with a scouring pad. Rinse the surface with soapy water and a soft sponge to remove the residue.
Step four: Scrape it off.
If you have tried all the solvents and the paint remains hard on the porcelain surface, you can decide to scrap it off with a scraping tool. Wedge the blade of the plastic putty knife between the stain or paint and the porcelain surface.
Tap the handle with the hammer, and the paint should fly off easily. You can also give it a little lubricating spray to remove it easily. If it still gets harder, scrape it off the paint with the razor or metal putty knife. The paint should get off easily.
Step five: Scrub and rinse the tub.
Perform continuous scrub over the area with a washcloth or sponge until the paint is removed completely. Dig in and be forceful when scrubbing. You are advised to use small swirling motions with a sponge to coax out the lingering stains. After scrubbing everything, rinse the entire tub with hot water. Your porcelain tub will be completely clean from the paint.
Tips
- Even though the old paints may be hard to remove, the steps and method above will remove the stain completely.
- WD-40 does not dry out easily, so you are advised to apply it heavily on the stubborn paint and allow it to soak for 12 hours, making it easier to remove
- The bar keeper’s friend and soft scrub are other cleaning products that you can use to remove the paint from the porcelain surface. They are mildly and abrasive and can be used on different surfaces.
- You can rub the surface with a soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with a rubbing alcohol for latex paint.
Conclusion
Paint stains on the porcelain surface are not much of the problem. It is because this material resists any paint or solvent stripping thrown on its surface. If you accidentally drop the paint on your porcelain tub, then the above steps will help you remove the paint effectively. Drrrunk Shopping provides latest DIY plumbing guides, you can follow it to get updated about your DIY projects.
There is a great chance that at least the majority of the methods mentioned will work. Follow the above steps, and your tub will look clean and reclaim its color like when it was new.
