If you want to learn how to remove paint from a stainless steel sink then you’re in the right place. It’s a lot easier than you would think at first, but it depends on what type of paint you have used.
Water-based paints, including latex and most modern types of gloss – can be removed using dish soap and water, whereas oil-based paints require solvents instead. Almost all paints are one of these two types, so knowing these two methods should be more than enough.
There are some home remedies that you can try as well, and in this article, we will explore all of the options to give you the toolkit to tackle any paint stain on a stainless steel sink. The first step is to figure out what type of paint you are using, so let’s jump straight into it.
Determine The Type Of Paint
Knowing what type of paint has left the mark is important because it will determine how you need to remove it, which can save you time.
If the stain is new then the chances are you will have the container of paint on hand to quickly check what type of paint it is, but what about instances where you aren’t sure?
If you are unsure of the type of paint, use the dish soap and hot water method first, as this will remove water-based paints but not oil-based ones. By process of elimination, you can then use a solvent which should hopefully remove the stain.
In short, knowing the type of paint will save you time, but it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t know the type of paint as you can start with the dish soap method first. You can also try pressing your fingernail into the paint stain – if you can make an indentation then it is likely to be water-based.
What About Speciality Paints Like Spraypaint or Primer?
If, for whatever reason, you have got stains from a speciality type of paint you can still follow the same steps. This is because even though they have a different name, 99% of paints are either water or oil-based and can be treated in the same way.
Removing Paint From Stainless Steel Sink: 4 Different Methods
We’ve got 4 methods that you can use depending on the type of paint that was used and what cleaning agents you have on hand.
1. Dish soap and Warm Water
The easiest way to remove water-based paints is to simply use dish soap and warm water. Dish soap can work wonders, and there is no surprise why we recommend it so often for everything from removing bleach stains from laminate floors to getting marshmallows out of carpet.
Follow the simple steps below and you will have the paint removed from any stainless steel sink in no time at all:
- Mix together a few drops of dish soap per cup of water in a container as needed.
- Use a dishcloth to apply the solution to the paint stains, rinsing regularly.
- Repeat this process until all of the paint has been removed.
- If unsuccessful, try using a lightly abrasive dish sponge instead of a dishcloth to apply the solution as this will work well on tougher stains and marks.
- Bonus tip – fill the entire sink with hot water and a generous amount of dish soap (2-3 tbsp) and leave it for an hour or so, and then empty the sink and wipe the sides with a cloth.
Following the steps above should get rid of just about any water-based paint stains that you may encounter on a stainless steel sink, but what about oil-based?
2. Paint Thinners – Mineral Spirits, Turpentine, etc
This method is focused entirely on oil-based paint stains as these are tougher to remove and require a different cleaning agent.
Paint thinners like mineral spirits and turpentine are the best way to remove oil-based stains. We recommend following the manufacturer guidelines for applying them, but it will usually involve applying the paint thinner with a cloth, leaving it to settle for a period of time and then removing it – but it does vary between brands.
Make sure you take the appropriate safety measures whilst handling paint thinners as well.
3. Homemade Cleaning Solution
If you are short of dish soap and paint thinners, then white vinegar is an amazing natural option that you can use.
- Apply a generous amount of white vinegar using a spray bottle.
- Allow the vinegar to sit on the surface for a couple of minutes.
- Wipe the area with a clean dishcloth, rinsing regularly in warm water.
White vinegar has proven to be effective against both water and oil-based paints, so it is worth giving this method a go if you don’t have any cleaning solutions on hand.
4. Abrasive Application Technique
If you have tried the methods above and are still having trouble then the last method to try is using an abrasive application.
There are a few options here, but our favorite is to use stainless steel wool. So, for example, when using the dish soap or homemade solution method you would scrub the paint stain with stainless steel wool rather than the cloth during the application.
Likewise, for paint thinners, you would scrub the area with the wool once the paint thinner has done its job. The downside to this method is that you will likely scratch your sink, however it is usually only by a very small amount that is not easy to notice. You can also use a nylon pad as a slightly less abrasive option.
Only use this method as a last resort as it will lightly damage the surface of the sink.
One Thing To Note
We highly recommend against mixing different cleaning solutions on the surface of your sink, as reactions between chemicals can cause damage to steel.
Stick to one method at a time and you will have no problems.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have a good idea of how to remove paint from a stainless steel sink by reading this article.
If you know of any other methods then don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us know!
