How to Remove Paint Overspray From Brick

Professional painters use spray rigs and cans of spray paint to hasten the application process. Unfortunately, when these items fall into the hands of amateur do-it-yourselfers, unforeseen messes often result. Removing paint overspray from relatively delicate surfaces like wood and automobile finishes is a painstaking process, fraught with potential hazards. However, if you need to remove overspray from brick, you are more fortunate as brick surfaces are durable enough to endure aggressive removal techniques. Employ the proper removal strategy or you could make the process more difficult than it should be.

• 1

  Use a pressure washer equipped with a low-pressure tip to eliminate as much paint overspray as possible. Wait two to four hours for the brick to dry. Skip this step if the brick is located indoors.

• 2

  Dampen a shop rag with lacquer thinner. Apply solvent to the overspray, using the damp rag.

• 3

  Wait 20 seconds for the solvent to loosen the paint overspray.

• 4

  Scrape the overspray from the brick, using a metallic putty knife. Use a wire brush to eliminate overspray from within the mortar.

• 5

  Sand stubborn bits of paint overspray from the brick using 80-grit sandpaper.

• 6

  Wait 10 to 20 minutes for the solvent to evaporate.