Expert: Robert Lamb - 6/25/2008

Question
is there away to remove stain caused by paint remover on etched glass of old doors that i would like to install as a bedroom door in my 1920's house?

Answer
Shirley,

If I understand it correctly, the paint remover you used on your door has seeped onto the etched glass that was in the door and the paint remover has now left a stain on the etched glass. Is that correct?

When you say, "etched glass", do you mean sandblasted glass? Some "etched glass" is not truly etched but is a decal that was applied to the glass to make it look sandblasted.

The paint remover residue may still have paint that was removed from the door mixed into the stain and that is what is actually causing the stain, not the paint remover itself. Is that a possibility? Can you describe the stain?

Without a photo, I will venture to say if the stain does have paint residue, you may simply need to apply more paint remover to the stain to remove the paint. When I say apply more paint remover, I mean flood the area so that all traces of the paint will be removed.

Another possibility is that there is an oily residue left behind on the "etched glass" from the paint remover itself. In that case, you will have to determine what solvent will remove the paint remover.

My suggestion for a solvent is simply to mix in a five gallon bucket of warm water 1/4 teaspoon of Dawn dish washing detergent and two tablespoons of ammonia. Be sure to add the water to the bucket first to avoid needless bubbles. Use a good sea sponge to apply this solution and rinse with pure water. An artificial or man made sponge will work, but will probably crumble and lodge in the "etched glass" depending on how deeply the glass is etched (how abrasive it is).

If the door is wood and is now not coated because of the paint remover, try to avoid getting water into the pores so that they do not swell and cause further problems.

Let me know how it turns out!
Sincerely,


Robert Lamb

Window Masters
www.robscleaningservice.com