One of the great things about removing paint from glass is that you probably already have everything you need at home. You don’t need to use any chemical-based products—just white vinegar and dish soap should do the trick!

You could also use a clean sponge for this step, too.

If the paint does come away completely from using the white vinegar, simply spray the window with glass cleaner and wipe it down to clean it off.

You can buy mineral spirits at your local home improvement store.

If you’re concerned about the water running down the wall or hitting the floor, lay down a towel underneath of where you’re working.

Acetone is a non-VOC (volatile organic compound) substance, meaning you don’t have to wear a respirator to use it–unlike with xylene, paint thinner, or lacquer remover. Keep your rag away from heat and flames, since acetone is highly flammable.

Make sure that the surface is wet before you start scraping. [11] X Expert Source Ben BarlowWindow Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 23 July 2021. Check that your razor blade has no dents or nicks on it. [12] X Expert Source Ben BarlowWindow Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 23 July 2021. Take your time with this part of the process. You want to avoid scratching the glass, which can happen if you rub back and forth or scrape too quickly.

If you notice you missed a section of paint after you clean the window, go back and repeat the soapy water and scraping steps until it comes clean.

Similarly, if there is furniture or a rug near the window, move it out of the way at this time so it’ll be kept safe while you work.

If you don’t have a tarp, a sheet of plastic could also work. As a last resort, use an old sheet—it won’t keep spilled liquid from reaching the floor, but it’ll catch those paint chips as you scrape them off.

The respirator goes over your mouth and nose and lets you breathe in clean air even while there are lots of dust, fumes, and paint chips flying around.

Visit your local home improvement store to buy a solvent-based paint stripper.

Layer the solvent on as thickly as you can without it running down the wood.

The paint will start to bubble The surface of the paint will look uneven Sections of paint may even start to come away from the frame

If you can get a small section of the paint lifted, it usually will come off in a long strip. If there are multiple layers of paint to be removed, you may need to repeat the painting and scraping process several times until you get down to the bare wood.

As with the scraper, use gentle motions and avoid gouging the wood with the wire brush.

If there are lots of chips of paint, use a shop vac to clean them up first.

Wipe down the frame again after sanding to clear away any dust that remains.

If you can, open some windows or run a fan to help keep the room as well-ventilated as possible while you work.

Never use a plastic or styrofoam container for the stripper, as it could actually eat through the material and leak all over your floor.

As the stripper starts to work, the paint will start to bubble up and peel off of the metal frame.

For hard-to-reach crevices, use a wire brush.