Wondering how you can remove spray paint from brick?
Maybe you woke up and found some graffiti on your brick wall, or maybe you have a mural you'd like to redo and you want to remove the spray paint to start fresh.
Well the good news is, you can definitely remove spray paint from bricks for good!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, we'll show you:
- A few key things about how to remove spray paint from bricks
- Supplies you'll need to remove spray paint from bricks
- Some techniques you can use to remove spray paint from bricks
- And much more!
So before you dive into your spray paint removal project, I recommend you read the tips below to learn more about DIY methods for removing spray paint from bricks.
What You Need to Know About Removing Spray Paint from Bricks
The process of removing spray paint from bricks is notoriously difficult.
Spray paint is designed to adhere extremely well to whatever surface to which it is applied, particularly if there is a lot of texture on that surface.
The rough surfaces of bricks offer many nooks and crannies for the paint molecules to cling to.
This is great if you want a lasting coat of color on top of bricks but can become problematic if you’re trying to restore them to their natural state.
That said, there are many instances where you don’t want paint on your bricks and have to remove it.
Maybe you are repainting or refinishing your house and you're trying to remove graffiti, or simply made some mistakes during a painting job.
But obviously you’ll want to remove the paint without damaging the bricks. If you don’t mind scraping off a few layers of brick or leaving deep gouges in the surface, the process is much easier.
However, particularly in the case of historic buildings and masonry, you will probably want to avoid damaging the underlying brick as much as possible.
That's why you'll want to take the following steps to ensure that the brick remains safe and unharmed throughout the process.
Supplies You’ll Need for Removing Spray Paint from Bricks
There are several things you’ll need when you’re trying to remove spray paint off bricks.
First and foremost, you’ll need some sort of solvent product. There are numerous products on the market that promote their solvent abilities, but you’ll want to find an effective paint remover that won't cause excess damage to bricks.
After the dissolving step, you’ll also need the following items:
- Pressure washer
- Soft bristle brush
- Soap
- Warm water
- Rags
How to Remove Spray Paint from Bricks
This removal process remains roughly the same for the majority of products. But in most cases you'll need to use a specific solution for spray paint removal.
The ones listed below are the best ones on the market and can all be found on Amazon.
Step 1 - Use GranX Graffiti Remover
With GranX Graffiti Remover you can ensure that you can dissolve the spray paint without destroying the underlying brick.Once you've done that and you’re certain that it won’t cause damage, spray the product onto the affected area and let it sit for 30 seconds or so.
You don’t want to leave it on too long, because the chemicals will start to work their way deeper into the brick.
Wipe the product away with a rag or cloth. This is where a little elbow grease goes a long way. You should see a substantial amount of paint come away with the product.
Using soap and water and a soft bristled brush, wipe away the remainder of the product. If necessary, use a pressure washer to remove the remainder of the paint.
Repeat as needed.
Read More >> How to Remove Spray Paint from Vinyl Siding
Step 2 - Use Graffiti SafeWipes
Graffiti Safewipes are an excellent choice for their ease of use and invariable exposure time.As always, test this product on a small area to make sure it doesn’t cause any issues with the brick.
After testing, simply wipe down the paint to remove as much as possible with the wipes.
Use a pressure washer or soap and water to remove any leftover paint on the surface.
Make sure to use a soft bristled brush if you choose to scrub down the brick.
Step 3 - Use Watch Dog Wipe Out
The half gallon bucket of Watch Dog Wipe Out is a great product for large amounts of paint.After testing, take a cloth and wipe it through the bucket to soak in the product.
Wipe the rag across the painted area of bricks. Some paint should come off in this process, but it will act more to smear and liquefy the applied paint.
Using a separate rag, wipe away the dissolved paint.
Use soap and hot water or a pressure washer to remove the remainder of the paint on the wall.
Repeat as needed.
Step 4 - Use Goof Off
Goof Off is essentially an aerosol paint stripper, so be cautious when you use it.Test the goof off on a small area. Importantly, test it for a quick exposure as well as a longer exposure.
Leaving this product in place for more than 30 seconds or so will possibly cause discoloration or damage to the underlying surface.
Spray on the product sparingly over the surface.
Using a rag, wipe it off as quickly as possible. The paint should come off with it.
Take another clean cloth and wipe off the excess to ensure it doesn’t sit too long on the surface.
You can watch the video below to see how Goof Off works in action.
Step 5 - Use Citristrip Gel
The final option, Citristrip Gel, is slightly different than the rest, as it is more of a gel than a spray or liquid.Apply the Gel to a towel or cloth of some sort.
Wipe the Gel over the painted area thickly, letting it sit to begin breaking down the painted surface.
Using a clean cloth, wipe the gel off the surface, removing paint as you go.
Rinse the surface with water.
Scrub away any excess paint and rinse with water as needed.
Read More >> How to Remove Spray Paint From Walls
Final Thoughts on Removing Spray Paint from Bricks
Safety is key in this process, both for yourself and for the affected surface.
Make sure to verify that you won’t be causing any damage to yourself or your wall by testing small areas before you do anything else.
Also, never forget to wear protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles in case any of the aerosols get in your face.
Products like Goof Off can be very strong skin and eye irritants, so you want to be very careful when using them, taking extra precaution never to spray them into the wind.
Always use a rag or a soft-bristled brush, because metal brushes can gouge and scrape the bricks below when you are scrubbing.
Remember, we want to keep the bricks intact as much as possible. These chemicals should cause little to no harm to your surface if applied properly, but make sure that none of the other steps damage the bricks either.
In the end, this doesn’t have to be a difficult process. These products will make paint removal from a porous surface like brick a breeze.
You’ll have your wall back to its former glory in no time at all.
Read More >> How to Get Spray Paint Off A Driveway
