How to remove dried paint from vinyl plank flooring

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Things You'll Need
References
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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How do you remove dry paint from vinyl flooring?
How do you get dried paint off laminate flooring?
How do you get paint off of a plank floor?
Will acetone damage vinyl planks?

I just moved into my first home a week ago, and I have been trying to remove paint splatter since move in day.

It seems that the previous owner painted the white trim in a hurry, and almost every doorway has paint droplets or paint smudges on the vinyl plank flooring.

I’ve googled the issue, watched YouTube videos, and even called paint and floor stores. I can’t get it off!

Here’s what I’ve tried.

-scraping with my nail -scraping with a credit card (some thicker droplets come off) -70% rubbing alcohol -hand sanitizer

I’m afraid to try acetone because I don’t know if it’ll ruin the floors.

Any suggestions for paint removal without damaging vinyl plank? I will be forever grateful!

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With do-it-yourself paint jobs, there is the potential for drops of paint or even large spills on your vinyl flooring. The spill can be removed by proper and quick action. To remove paint from vinyl, you will first need to determine the type of paint that was spilled. Then, follow the removal procedure whether it be for oil-based, water-based, or dried paint.[1]

1
Wipe up the spilled paint. Use a dry paper towel or soft cloth to remove as much of the fresh spillage as possible. Wipe it up until there is nothing else you can by simple wiping. If the spill is large, you can contain it with cat litter or shredded paper.[2]
2
Use damp paper towels. After you’ve wiped up with dry paper towels, use damp paper towels to tackle the rest of the spilled paint. Go over the spilled area until as much of the paint has been removed as possible. The damp paper towels should remove most of the paint.[3]
- You will have to go through several damp paper towels if the spill is large.
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3
Mix mild soap and water. To remove the remainder of the paint, mix several drops of mild soap into a bucket of water. Then, dip a clean cloth into the mixture. Use the cloth to clean up the rest of the spilled paint.[4]
4
Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. If the paint has still not been removed, pour rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and gently rub it over the paint. Press the cloth on the stain and allow it remain for ten minutes if the stain has not been removed. Then, remove the cloth and rinse the area with water.[5]
- Make sure the area is dry after you rinse it off. You can dry it off by patting it with a cloth or paper towel.
5
Repeat if necessary. The paint may not be removed completely on the first try. Repeat the process as many times as necessary until all of the spilled paint has been removed from the floor. Avoid using alcohol too many times on the floor, but you can use water and mild soap as much as needed.[6]
- For really stubborn paint, try spraying a little latex paint remover on the spot. Let it sit on the paint for a few minutes before scrubbing it off with a wet cloth.[7]

1
Wipe up the paint with a clean cloth. Take a damp cloth to remove as much of the spilled paint as possible. Use the damp cloth scoop up the paint and wipe it, rather than spreading it around. Do this until you can’t remove any more paint with only the damp cloth.[8]
2
Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. After you’ve wiped up as much paint as possible, pour rubbing alcohol onto a cloth. Place the cloth on top of the area with the spilled paint. You may have to use multiple cloths if the area is large. Allow the cloth to sit on top of the paint for ten minutes. Then, wipe it up with a damp cloth.[9]
3
Dip steel wool into liquid wax. If the paint has not been removed, you can use steel wool and liquid wax to remove the paint. Liquid wax can be bought at many car shops and supermarkets, like Walmart. The steel wool should be superfine, and it can be bought from most grocery stores. Dip the steel wool into the liquid wax and gently scrub the surface until the paint is removed.[10]
4
Clean the area. Once the paint has been removed, you will need to remove all of the cleaning products from the vinyl. Use mild soap and water to clean the area. You can dip a rag into the soap and water, or you can use a mop. Then, allow the floor to dry.[11]
- You can apply a coat of wax to protect the floor once it has dried.
5
Use PEC-12. If nothing else works to remove the paint, you can use a product called PEC-12. It’s a commercial solvent that is highly effective in removing oil stains, but it is highly toxic. Make sure to use gloves, a face mask, and eye protection when using it. Apply PEC-12 to the damaged area and use a non-abrasive wipe or cotton balls to wipe off the paint. Then, rinse with water and pat it dry with a cloth.[12]
- PEC-12 can be purchased online and at many camera supply shops because it is often used to clean cameras.

1
Use a plastic scraper to remove the dried paint. Try scraping off the dried paint with a plastic scraper or plastic spatula. If that doesn’t work, you can use a razor. Be sure to use the razor carefully to avoid damaging the vinyl.[13]
- You can also use a spoon.
2
Moisten a cloth in mineral spirits. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine on a cloth to moisten it. Rub it over the dried paint until it has loosened up or been removed. Repeat this step as many times as necessary.[14]
3
Apply nail polish remover. If the dried paint has not been removed, pour a small amount of acetone nail polish remover onto a clean cloth. Wipe the area until the dried paint has been removed. You may want to test the nail polish remover on a small spot of the flooring to make sure it won’t damage the vinyl.[15]
4
Wash the area. Use just water or water and mild soap to clean the area. Do this to make sure that there aren’t any remaining chemicals on the floor. Then, pat it dry or allow it to dry on its own.[16]

Add New Question

Question
Can oil based paint be removed without using a solvent?

You can try to remove it using just warm water and soap.
Question
How do I remove dried purple CPVC pipe cleaner off of a vinyl floor?

Simple Green all-purpose cleaner works wonders! Just spray the floor with it, let it soak a minute, then take it off with a scrub brush.
Question
How do I remove a large area of dried spray paint from a vinyl floor?

The techniques mentioned above should be of help. Spray paint isn't too different from normal wall paint.

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You can use a paint stripper to remove particularly stubborn paint or paint stains, but only do so as a last resort. There is an increased chance with paint stripper to damage the vinyl surface.
If your vinyl is in a visible place, such as a floor, test a small corner before you apply any chemical to a large area. Do this whenever there is a potential for a corrosive or negative reaction.

Refrain from using ammonia-based cleaning products, which could damage the vinyl surface.

Things You'll Need

Shredded paper or cat litter
Water
Mild soap
Clean cloth
Plastic scraper, plastic spatula, or metal spoon
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Turpentine
Superfine steel wool pad
Liquid wax

References

About This Article

Article SummaryX

If you need to remove dried paint from vinyl, try scraping it off with a plastic scraper or spatula. You can use a razor as well, but do your best to avoid scratching or cutting the vinyl. To loosen the paint, pour a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine on a cloth and rub it on the dried paint until it starts to break down or is removed. Alternatively, pour acetone nail polish onto a cloth and try to loosen the paint. Consider testing the nail polish remover on a small spot of flooring before using this method to make sure it doesn’t damage the vinyl. Once the paint has been removed, wash the area with water and mild soap to clean up any chemicals you used. For more help, like how to remove paint while it’s still wet, read on.

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Reader Success Stories

"The paint I need to remove has totally dried and been there for ages, so I'm going to try the nail polish remover,..." more

Did this article help you?

How do you remove dry paint from vinyl flooring?

Scrape under the dry paint, adding more water if necessary to help loosen it. Usually, the paint will peel off the vinyl floor instantly. Remove the remaining paint residue by gently rubbing with a plastic scouring pad and a little dish soap. If necessary, use a vinyl eraser.

How do you get dried paint off laminate flooring?

You should mix equal portions of water, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar. The next step is to add a few drops of dish soap to the solution and mix until soap suds begin to form. This mixture will usually lift any kind of paint. Water-based paints are lifted since the water and vinegar will dissolve them again.

How do you get paint off of a plank floor?

Carefully scrape off as much of the paint as you can with a putty knife, grab a rag, dip it into a mix of 3 parts rubbing alcohol, 1 part lemon juice. Cover the paint with the solution and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then, scrub off the paint with the rag.

Will acetone damage vinyl planks?

Certain rubber compounds can permanently stain vinyl. Never use vinegar, acetone or lacquer thinner to clean these floors. For extreme staining like nail polish , paint, dye and permanent markers try applying fingernail polish remover that contains acetone, but is not pure acetone with a soft cloth and gently rub.