How to Remove Oil Based Paint on Stainless Steel

Oil-based paint can easily stick to the surface of a stainless steel object. Most often, oil-based paint may go unnoticed and dry in your stainless steel sink. There are a large variety of paint remover products on the market, but you can also remove the paint with chemicals you may already have in your home. When removing the paint, it is important not to not mix any of the chemicals together.

1. Put on rubber gloves before trying to remove the paint from the stainless steel. This will help to protect your hands from any chemicals that you will be using.

2. Pour a small amount of turpentine onto a cloth and dap the area of the stainless steel that is covered in the oil-based paint. Continue rubbing the area until the paint becomes loose. Rinse the spot with water.

3. Use lacquer thinner if all the paint doesn’t come off using turpentine. Pour a small amount of the lacquer thinner onto a cloth or sponge and then rub it into the paint area. Rinse the area with water when you’re done rubbing off the paint.

4. Use a paint stripper that is methylene chloride based to remove any excess portions of the paint. Apply the paint stripper to a sponge and rub the area continuously until the oil in the paint is removed.

5. Continue using the lacquer thinner or paint stripper until you fully remove all of the paint. Wash the area one last time with warm water and pat the spot with a paper towel until it’s fully dry.