As the weather begins to warm up, it’s time to start giving your home’s exterior a nice spring cleaning. It’s important to get the job done right; if you don’t, then you could run into issues further down the line—everything from mildew and mold to damage to your siding and windows. Learn how to clean paint from vinyl window frames with this step-by-step tutorial!
Pre-Treatment Steps
Paint will inevitably find its way onto your vinyl window frames. After the paint has dried and hardened, it can seem impossible to remove. Don’t despair, there are ways of removing the paint without causing damage to your windows. Here are some steps you can take before tackling the job yourself:
1) Use a putty knife or scraper to carefully scrape off as much of the paint as possible.
The Right Tools and Products
It’s not always easy to remove paint from window frames without damaging the vinyl. To clean paint from vinyl window frames, you’ll need dish soap, water, and a sponge. Gently scrub the frame with the soap and water mixture, rinsing with water frequently. Then use acetone (or nail polish remover) and cotton swabs to dissolve any remaining paint on the corners or edges of your frame. Once you’ve removed as much paint as possible, wash off the rest with soapy water and dry thoroughly before applying a new coat of paint.
Determine whether or not it is safe to use either acetone or nail polish remover by reading the bottle carefully. If it says do not touch on the label, then do not apply this chemical to your windows!
Techniques to Minimize Scratches
1) Add water to the paint, which will make it thinner. 2) Add vinegar or baking soda to the mixture, which will react and help break down the paint. 3) Apply the mixture with a sponge and let it sit for 30 minutes before wiping away. 4) Follow up by washing off residue with soap and water. 5) Rinse thoroughly and allow window frame to dry before applying new paint.
Post-Cleaning Maintenance Tips
Now that your windows are clean, you’ll need to keep them that way! They’ll be easier to maintain if they’re not looking dirty or dusty. You can do this by keeping the windowsills free of dust and debris, wiping down the exterior of the window frame with soapy water, and wiping down the interior of the window frame with vinegar. Doing these things will help you keep paint from building up and turning into an eyesore on vinyl window frames!
