How to • Jan 21st '23

How to Remove Paint from Wallplates

Have you ever lived in a place where the previous owner got a cheap paint job and painted over all the wallplates? Have you ever lived in a cheap apartment where the landlord ordered the landlord special, a sloppy paint job characterized by a cheap painter who paints everything the same drab off white? If you've ever been in this situation and have had the desire to remove the paint from the wallplates and devices then this is for you.

Removing paint from wallplates is actually much easier than most think.

Supplies

  • Philips and flat head screw driver
  • Razor Knife
  • Hot Water
  • Dish detergent (Optional)
  • No scratch kitchen pad
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Toothbrush
  • Dry towels
  • Dry rags

Steps

  1. Remove the wallplates that need paint removed. If the plate is stuck on the wall use a razor knife and carefully cut the paint between the plate and the wall.
  2. Fill a sink with hot water and a small amount of detergent (optional).
  3. Place the plates in the sink and let them sit for few minutes.
  4. One by one remove the plates and scrub them with a no scratch kitchen bad. The paint should come off fairly easily.
  5. Once all the paint has been removed dry the plate with a dry towel.
  6. Place the wallplate screws in a fine mesh strainer, submerge the strainer in the hot water.
  7. After a few minutes, remove the strainer and one by one use the kitchen pad to clean the paint off the screw heads. Be careful not to drop any of the screws as they get lost easily.
  8. If there is no paint on the switch or outlet re install the wallplates once completely dry.
  9. If there is paint on the outlets or switches that you would like removed do not re install the wallplates and instead turn off power to the circuit that the switch, outlet or device is on.
  10. Wet a tooth brush with isopropyl alcohol and gently wet the painted areas, do not saturate or allow to run down the wall.
  11. Let the isopropyl alcohol sit for a few minutes, then use a dry rag to remove the paint, there is a good chance you won't remove all the paint in the first go repeat this process as necessary.
  12. Once completely dry, reinstall the wallplates if they are completely dry, and turn the circuit back on.

This technique also works well on other items that may need paint removed such as door hinges, doorknobs, lock hardware, and light fixtures.

Note: This technique works well on modern latex paints, it may not work well on oil based or very old paint. Paint before 1978 may contain lead refer to the EPA's guide on lead paint, located: here.