How to Remove Paint From a Door Screen
Nothing makes a drab looking house pop like a fresh coat of quality paint. Unfortunately, when do-it-yourselfers take on a large painting project, a few drips and splatters are likely to occur. More often than not, paint can easily be removed from most surfaces with a metal putty knife, a wet rag and a little elbow grease. When paint drips on screen mesh, however, it can be difficult to remove. Many a homeowner has either slightly damaged or completely ruined a door screen in an attempt to remove the smallest of dried paint drips. Before you attempt to remove paint from a door screen, you need to know the proper techniques to employ, or you may find yourself purchasing a new screen to replace the one you destroyed.
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Apply a small amount of mineral spirits to a dry rag.
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Use the rag to apply mineral spirits to the paint on the door screen.
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Use the steel wool to loosen the paint from the door screen. Move the steel wool in a counter-clockwise motion.
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Repeat steps until the paint is completely removed.
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Use a water hose to rinse the mineral spirits and any remaining paint from the door screen.
Tips
- If your door screen has a lot of slack in it, you might have difficulty applying enough pressure to remove all of the paint. In this case, you may want to remove the screen door and place it flat against a concrete floor to provide stability while you scrub.
Warnings
- Screens are extremely fragile, so always apply the least amount of pressure necessary when scrubbing with the steel wool.
- Never use a metal putty knife to attempt to remove paint from a door screen, as this will almost always lead to irreversible damage.
Writer Bio
Ryan Lawrence is a freelance writer based in Boulder, Colorado. He has been writing professionally since 1999. He has 10 years of experience as a professional painting contractor. Lawrence writes for High Class Blogs and Yodle. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations with a minor in history from the University of Oklahoma.
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