Whether you accidentally got paint on your window during a recent painting job or are trying to refresh an old window, the task will be much easier if you know how to remove paint. You'll need to properly handle the initial stain so that the paint removal process goes smoothly, and be patient when cleaning the window. It might take a little time and effort, but you can do it!
StepsScrape off paint from the glass

Measure 1 cup (240 ml) of white vinegar. Use a glass measuring cup large enough to hold the vinegar without spilling when dipping the cloth. Opt for a glass cup instead of plastic, as you’ll need to heat the vinegar.
- One of the advantages of removing paint from glass is that most of the items you need are probably already in your home. You don’t need to use any chemical products – just white vinegar and dish soap will do the job!
Tip: If you don't have a glass measuring cup, you can use a microwave-safe glass bowl instead.

Heat the white vinegar in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until it boils. You don't need to cover the cup of vinegar, but make sure to keep an eye on it and stop when it starts to bubble. Depending on the microwave's power, the heating time may vary slightly.
Tip: You can take this opportunity to clean the inside of the microwave. The steam released from the vinegar will loosen stubborn stains or burnt food residue, making the cleaning process much easier.

Put on rubber gloves and dip a clean cloth into the vinegar. The gloves will protect your hands from the hot vinegar. A small cloth, about the size of a washcloth, is best for this task. A bath towel would be too large and cumbersome for cleaning.
- You could also use a clean sponge for this step.

Use the vinegar-soaked cloth to scrub the paint stain. Apply a bit of pressure while scrubbing, and make sure the paint is fully soaked in vinegar. This step will help soften the paint, and it might even remove it completely! If some paint remains, no worries. Just move on to the next step.
- If the paint hasn't completely come off after using the white vinegar, simply spray glass cleaner and wipe until it's clean.

Fill a bucket with warm water and add a tablespoon (15 ml) of dishwashing liquid. Pour the dish soap into the bucket first, allowing the soap to bubble up as you add the water.

Dip a sponge or cloth into the soapy water and wipe off any paint stains. It's best to do this step right after washing with vinegar while the paint is still wet. Soak the paint spots with soapy water.
- If you're worried about water dripping onto the walls or floor, you can lay a towel beneath your working area.

Hold the razor blade at a 45-degree angle and slowly scrape off the paint. Apply firm pressure and scrape in one direction only. Occasionally use the cloth dipped in soapy water to lubricate the surface while scraping. Aim to get the razor blade under the entire paint spot to lift it off completely.
- This step should be done slowly. Of course, you don't want to scratch the glass by scraping too quickly.
Tip: Use a new razor blade for this task. Old blades can easily scratch the glass.

Use a cloth and glass cleaner to wipe the window clean. This step will remove the vinegar, soap, and any flaking paint. Wipe away the glass cleaner using a cloth or paper towel.
- If you notice any leftover paint after wiping the window, repeat the soapy scrubbing and scraping steps until it's all clean.
Cleaning the paint off the window frame

Remove all metallic parts from the window frame, such as screws or door handles. Generally, there aren't many parts to remove from a window, but if there are door handles, nails, screws, or old hinges, they should be detached and set aside. If your window is very old, consider putting each part into a small plastic bag and labeling it to keep track of where each component belongs.
- Similarly, if there are any furniture or decorative rugs near the window, move them out of the way to prevent damage while you work.

Place a drop cloth beneath the window you plan to strip the paint from. Since you'll be using chemicals and paint chips might fly off, it's essential to catch anything that falls to avoid damaging the floor. Use a clean drop cloth and make sure to cover the floor directly under your work area.
- If you don't have a drop cloth, you can use plastic sheeting. At the very least, an old bedsheet will do – while it won’t stop water from seeping through to the floor, it will catch paint flakes as you scrape.

Prepare protective gear before using paint removers. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator. If possible, open some windows or turn on a fan in the room to avoid stagnant air.
- The respirator will cover your mouth and nose, allowing you to breathe fresh air even in an environment filled with dust, fumes, and paint debris.

Pour paint stripper with solvents into a clean bucket. Solvent-based paint strippers are ideal for this task as they break down the bonds that hold the paint onto the wood, making it much easier to peel off. Use a clean, adequately sized bucket to hold the paint remover without spilling it.
- Visit a home improvement store to purchase paint stripper solvents.
Warning: Always carefully read the manufacturer's instructions before using this product. Some items may have different guidelines regarding usage time or method that you need to follow.

Dip the paintbrush into the paint remover solvent and apply it to a small section of the window. Use a clean, inexpensive brush from a hardware store or home improvement shop. Begin painting from one side instead of covering the entire window frame at once. This way, you'll minimize exposure to fumes and allow time for the solvent to soak in.
- Apply the solvent generously over the paint, making sure it doesn't drip.

Wait for 20 minutes for the solvent to fully penetrate the wood. The waiting time may vary depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Watch for signs that the paint remover is working:
- The paint begins to form bubbles
- The paint surface becomes patchy
- Some paint sections may start to peel off the window frame

Use a paint scraper to remove as much of the treated paint as possible. Start scraping once the waiting time for the solvent has passed. Scrape gently and avoid damaging the wood or scratching the surface.
- If you've peeled off a small piece of paint, it will likely come off in a large strip.
- If there are multiple layers of paint to remove, you may need to repeat the process of applying the paint remover and scraping several times until only the bare wood of the window frame remains.
Dealing with Lead Paint: Lead-based paint is most commonly found in homes built before 1978. Make sure to cover carpets with tarps and tape them down to prevent paint dust from spreading. Wear a protective mask, goggles, and shoe covers. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up any paint dust or debris that falls on the floor and window sills.

Dùng bàn chải sắt để cạo sạch sơn các khe rãnh và chỗ lõm. Nếu khung cửa sổ có các đường viền mà dụng cụ cạo sơn khó chạm đến, bạn có thể thay thế bằng bàn chải sắt. Bàn chải sắt có thể len vào được những chỗ hẹp và làm sạch dễ dàng hơn.
- Cũng như khi dùng dụng cụ cạo sơn, bạn cần nhẹ nhàng khi dùng bàn chải sắt cạo sơn, và cố gắng đừng làm sứt gỗ.

Lặp lại các bước quét dung môi tẩy sơn và cạo sơn cho đến khi toàn bộ khung cửa sổ được xử lý xong. Công việc này có thể mất vài ngày tùy vào lượng thời gian mà bạn dành để làm việc mỗi ngày, nhưng bạn sẽ hoàn thành sớm hơn bạn tưởng! Hãy tập trung làm xong một cửa sổ trước khi chuyển sang cửa số khác.

Lau sạch bề mặt gỗ bằng giẻ ẩm. Khi toàn bộ khung cửa đã được xử lý và cạo sơn xong, bạn hãy nhúng giẻ sạch vào nước và lau sạch khung cửa và bệ cửa sổ, đừng quên lau cả các khe rãnh và các kẽ nứt.
- Nếu có nhiều vụn sơn bong ra, bạn nên hút bụi cho sạch trước khi lau.

Chà nhám cửa sổ để làm nhẵn bề mặt gỗ. Dùng giấy nhám cỡ 220-grit để chà sạch mọi mẩu vụn và các vết sơn còn sót lại. Khi đã hoàn tất, bạn có thể hoàn thiện lại khung cửa theo ý thích.
- Lau lại khung cửa lần nữa sau khi chà nhám cho thật sạch bụi còn sót lại.
Xử lý cửa sổ kim loại

Lay down a tarp and prepare protective gear. Use a tarp or furniture covers to protect the floor beneath the window from paint remover drips. Put on rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator mask before starting your work.
- If possible, open a few windows or turn on a fan to keep the air circulating while you work.
Tip: Wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from the paint remover chemicals.

Pour the paint remover into a glass or metal container for easy cleaning. Choose a paint remover specifically designed for metal and read the manufacturer's instructions before use. Some products have longer waiting times than others, so keep that in mind.
- Never use plastic or foam containers for the paint remover, as the chemicals can corrode these materials and leak onto the floor.

Apply the paint remover to the metal window frame and let it soak in. Purchase disposable paintbrushes for easy cleanup afterward. Apply a thick layer without letting it drip onto the frame. Leave it for 20-30 minutes to allow the paint to absorb the chemicals.
- As the chemicals begin to work, the paint will bubble and peel away from the metal surface.

Scrape off as much paint as possible. Use a paint scraper, nylon-bristle brush, or scrubbing pad to clean off the peeling paint. If there is still dry paint beneath the top layer, repeat the process of applying paint remover and scraping until the metal surface is exposed.
- Use a wire brush for hard-to-reach grooves and crevices.

Sử dụng dung môi trắng để lau khung cửa sổ. Dung môi trắng thường được dùng để pha loãng sơn, do đó nó cũng là sản phẩm tuyệt vời để làm sạch các vết sơn nhỏ còn sót. Bạn chỉ cần tẩm dung môi trắng vào giẻ sạch và lau khung cửa từ trên xuống dưới.
- Bạn có thể mua dung môi trắng ở các cửa hàng bán vật liệu sửa chữa nhà.

Rửa khung cửa và lau khô bằng giẻ sạch. Nhúng giẻ sạch vào nước và lau kỹ khung cửa sổ để làm sạch hoá chất pha sơn hoặc dung môi trắng. Bước tiếp theo là dùng giẻ khô để lau lại toàn bộ khung cửa. Khi đã hoàn tất công đoạn tẩy sơn là bạn đã sẵn sàng sơn lại hoặc hoàn thiện lại khung cửa sổ tuỳ thích!
Lời khuyên
- Đừng bao giờ cố cạo khi sơn còn khô. Bạn cần phải có chất bôi trơn nào đó để tránh làm trầy xước kính hoặc cứa vào bề mặt gỗ.
- Ngăn ngừa sơn rỏ xuống kính cửa sổ bằng cách dùng ni lông phủ bên ngoài kính và dán lại bằng băng dính che sơn.
Những thứ bạn cần
Cạo sơn dính trên kính
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Cốc đong thủy tinh
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Giấm trắng
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Găng tay cao su
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2-3 miếng giẻ sạch
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Miếng bọt biển (tùy ý)
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Xô nhỏ
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Nước rửa bát
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Lưỡi dao cạo
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Dung dịch rửa kính
Làm sạch sơn trên khung cửa sổ
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Vải bạt
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Găng tay bảo hộ
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Kính bảo hộ
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Mặt nạ phòng độc
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Dung môi tẩy sơn
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Xô
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Chổi quét sơn
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Dụng cụ cạo sơn
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Bàn chải sắt
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Giẻ sạch
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Giấy nhám
Xử lý cửa sổ kim loại
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Rubber gloves
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Protective eyewear
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Respirator mask
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Furniture covers or drop cloths
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Paint remover gel or solvent
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Glass or metal container
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Disposable paintbrush
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Paint scraper tool
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Nylon bristle brush or cleaning pad
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White spirit