How to Remove Spray Paint from Bricks (5-Step Guide)

Last Updated On May 26, 2023

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!

Spray paint graffiti on a brick wall

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.  

A man repainting brick after removing spray paint

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
Did you know: Historically, the first recorded use of bricks happened in Jericho around 8,000 B.C. when people realized they could leave clay and mud to dry in the sun.

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. 


It won’t cause any damage to the surface since it's meant for graffiti removal, just make sure to apply it according to the instructions on the bottle.


Before applying the graffiti remover, always test a small area to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage to 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.  


Because most other products are sprays of some sort, you have to wipe them off after a specific time period so that you don’t cause damage to the bricks below. 


With the Safewipes, however, you simply have to wipe them across the affected area, and they’ll take up much of the paint immediately.


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.  


Watch Dog is a different product from the rest because it comes in a bucket and is not a spray application.  


Instead, you will simply wipe this product onto the wall with a rag or cloth and use it to dissolve the spray paint area.


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. 


Because of its strength, Goof Off is probably one of the most powerful products in terms of removal of paint, adhesives, or similar detritus.  


However, it is also the most likely to damage your brick or any other surface on which it is used.


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.  


This gel is a bit thicker and can stay in place on the affected area with less dripping, which is very useful.  


It is not as strong as some of the options on this list, but that may be ideal for people who find that Goof Off or Watch Dog causes damage to their bricks.  


This will be gentler, and contains fewer caustic chemicals than the rest, making it a safer option.


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

Meet Your Pro Paint Corner Author

Madison Rude

Madison Rude

I’m kind of a painting nerd. My mom taught me how to paint when I was nine, and since then I’ve painted rooms, furniture...you name it. I’ve written technical advice for Wagner sprayers, and I’ve spent a lot of time DIYing my own home. I’m no expert, but I love to learn. And here at ProPaintCorner, I learn more about painting every time I work with one of our painting pros to bring you the best product reviews and How To advice available. Together, let’s make your next painting project the best it can be!

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Madison Rude

Madison Rude

I’m kind of a painting nerd. My mom taught me how to paint when I was nine, and since then I’ve painted rooms, furniture...you name it. I’ve written technical advice for Wagner sprayers, and I’ve spent a lot of time DIYing my own home. I’m no expert, but I love to learn. And here at ProPaintCorner, I learn more about painting every time I work with one of our painting pros to bring you the best product reviews and How To advice available. Together, let’s make your next painting project the best it can be!

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