Splattered paint can be tough to clean, no matter where it happens. But it’s even harder to clean paint off of brick walls.
It doesn’t matter whether you were sloppy when re-painting something or they were already there when you moved in. Either way, they’re an eyesore, especially in areas where people will notice them quickly.
Thankfully, paint splatters on bricks can be removed, even if the entire brick wall has been painted over.
You need to remove these paint splatters without damaging the brick or mortar. All you need are some common tools and supplies to clean the bricks properly, which are easy to find at your local home improvement store.
This article will go through how to successfully remove paint splatters from your walls and some popular tips you should actually avoid!
How to Remove Paint Splatters From Brick Walls
You can use a few methods to remove the paint splatters without damaging the brick wall behind them. They vary in difficulty, and you may need some help depending on how messy your wall has become.
Before trying to remove the dry paint from your brick walls, ensure the walls are clean and free from dust or debris.
If the paint splatters are on the inside of your home, take a cloth with warm water and some dish soap and wipe the walls clean. You can use your garden hose to clean the exterior brick walls.
Once the walls are completely dry, you can start with any of the methods below.
Here are the best ways I’ve found to remove paint splatters from your brick walls.
Paint Stripper
The first and most common method is to use a paint stripper on the paint splatters on the brick wall. Look for a citrus-based paint stripper, as these have the most success on brick walls.
There are eco-friendly paint strippers if you want to be more environmentally friendly while removing the paint splatters.
Simply apply the stripper to the paint splatters in a thin layer. Then allow it to sit for about 30 to 40 minutes while it dissolves the paint.
Then, you can use a paint scraper to remove the paint splatters with the paint stripper. It should flake off easily and fall onto the plastic tarp below.
Paint Removal Strips
Another great way to remove paint splatter from your brick walls is to use paint removal strips. This is the preferred method if you have a lot of splatters to deal with.
Paint removal strips are large strips of sticky paper that you apply directly over the paint splatters. These strips can be cut to size, so a little goes a long way.
You apply the strips with the sticky side to the wall, then leave them to work for about 30 minutes. Then, carefully peel the strips off the brick, and the paint splatters should also peel off.
Trisodium Phosphate
If you’re on a budget and have a time constraint, this method is the one for you. You can purchase some trisodium phosphate at your local Home Depot or other big-box home improvement store.
First, you’ll need to dilute it with water.
Create a solution of 1 gallon of clean water with ½ cup trisodium phosphate and mix well.
Apply the solution to the paint splatters using a scrubbing brush. You may need to scrub the paint splatters until they come off.
Paint Scraper
If the paint splatters aren’t very big, you can use a paint scraper to help remove them from the wall.
Bear in mind that the paint will seep into the bricks. That, combined with the brick’s rough texture, can make it very difficult to remove all the paint.
These are easy to find at most home improvement stores and are relatively cheap.
They do require a fair bit of force to remove the paint splatter. Be careful not to use too much pressure to damage the bricks.
A Graffiti Removing Brush
Another option is to use a graffiti-removing brush. There are several brands to choose from, like Graffiti Buster and Taginator. They’re designed to quickly remove paint from walls, including brick.
The paint removal process is straightforward, but you’ll need some elbow grease. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for using them.
3 Methods To Avoid When Removing Paint Splatters From Brick Walls
As we’ve seen, there are several options you can use to you need to remove paint splatters from your brick walls. However, there are three common mistakes that homeowners make that you should avoid.
While these methods might be perfect for other surfaces, they should never be used on brick walls.
Each can do significant damage to the bricks when removing paint splatters. If the brick gets damaged enough, it can weaken the wall, leading to possible injury.
Sanding With Heavy Grit Sandpaper
Sandpaper with heavy grit is not recommended for paint splatter removal on brick walls, whether you’re sanding by hand or with a sanding machine.
This can take pieces of the brick wall off, along with the dried paint splatters, making the brick look worse and older than it should.
Power Washing Or Sand Blasting
If you have an older house, avoid pressure\power washing or sandblasting your brick walls to remove paint splatters. This can damage the mortar in between the bricks if the mortar is old, making the wall unstable.
These high-powered machines can also discolor sections of the brick wall, causing it to have an uneven appearance. Additionally, it can spoil the wall’s appearance, making it look older than it is.
Over Scraping The Wall
Scraping paint off the wall isn’t easy, but you want to avoid over-scraping the wall.
Apply some paint stripper to the paint first to make the job easier. If you don’t, this can damage the brick as you take bits off the brick with the paint.
Before You Start: Safety Precautions
It’s essential to follow some safety precautions while you’re removing the paint splatters.
Always wear latex or gardening gloves, depending on what method you want to use. You’ll also need safety glasses to protect your eyes and a mask to prevent breathing in chemicals or debris.
If you’re inside your home, move any furniture away from the area you will be working. Finally, place a plastic tarp or towels at the base of the wall to protect your floors.
Summary
Trying to remove paint splatter from brick walls can be challenging, but there are methods you can use to make it easier and help get the job done faster. You can use any of these methods to successfully remove the paint splatters.
Avoid pressure washing, as this can cause damage to your brick walls and make them look weathered and old.
