Are there reliable ways to remove primer from glass?

If during the work it was not possible to protect the windows, you need to know how and with what to wash the primer from the surface of the glass. The same problem occurs if the primer gets on the tiles. There are priming compositions that can be washed off with water, but there are also those for which it is problematic to choose a remover. Let's start from easy to difficult.

Primer for wallpaper

Often, before wallpapering, the wall is pre-impregnated with wallpaper glue. This primer washes off easily, especially if it is fresh. It can be wiped off with a damp cloth. If the glue has dried, it should not be removed with abrasives. It is enough to wet the stains on the glass and wait for the paste to swell. After this, it can be removed with any damp sponge.

Acrylic primers for water-based paint

This type is also easily removed from glass and tiles. The stains need to be wetted, and after a while they will be washed off well without the use of chemicals. The exception is those compositions to which dye is added. In this case, you will have to wipe off the dirt with White Spirit.

Advice

If the primer is very dry, it needs to be soaked with hot water. For floor tiles, whisk boiling water.

Adhesive primers

Impregnation compositions that improve the adhesion of the base and finishing materials, for example “Betonokontakt”, are very difficult to remove after drying. In fact, they can only be removed mechanically. The best way to clean glass is to use a blade. Holding it at an angle of 40-45º, you need to try to pick up the edge of the soil. After removing the strip/flap, repeat the procedure.

To facilitate the process, you can use organic solvents such as P 646. They contain ethers, which contribute to the swelling of the primer and the loss of its adhesive properties.

Cleaning is carried out as follows:

1. wet a rag with solvent and apply to the stain;
2. wait 30-60 minutes;
3. remove the rag - a jelly-like film should form under it;
4. pry the film with a blade and remove;
5. Wipe the glass with soapy water and then with clean water.

Phenolic primer

To impregnate wood, phenol-based soil is used. If it gets on the surface of ceramic tiles or glass and more than 17 hours have passed, then solvents will have to be used. For disposal, xylene, solvent or a mixture of solvent and White Spirit (in equal proportions) is suitable.

Cleaning is carried out according to the following scheme.

1. A solvent is applied to the contaminated area.
2. After 2-5 minutes, wipe with an abrasive sponge.
3. Repeat wetting with the solution and wipe with a sponge again.
4. Wash the glass with water.

To wipe off fresh dirt, simply wipe it with a rag or damp sponge.

Universal method

If the type of primer is unknown, but there is some residue, then the problem of contamination can be easily solved. It is enough to moisten the stains with the same primer, wait a while, and then wipe off with a rag or, if necessary, an abrasive sponge.This action is explained by the fact that the soil always contains a solvent. However, if too much time has passed—more than two weeks—then this method may not work. As a rule, during this time complete polymerization occurs, and strong agents are required to remove stains.

Home remedies for stains

If there is no primer left and its type is unknown, the question of how to wash the primer remains relevant. In this case, you will have to try different methods and means.

From available means:

• boiling water;
• soda;
• vinegar.

Boiling water is used to clean ceramic floor tiles with a porous structure. In this case, you need to water the stain and wipe it with a rag after a few minutes. Vinegar is used for glass and acid-resistant tiles. It is applied undiluted to the dried primer, and washed off after 10-15 minutes. This processing has to be repeated several times.

Soda for glass and tiles. The stain is moistened and sprinkled with soda to form a paste. A few minutes after application, you need to wipe off the resulting mush with a sponge. In this case, soda acts both as an alkaline solvent and as a mechanical abrasive.

Chemicals

If none of the above helps get rid of primer stains, use the "big guns" - household chemicals - to clean up problematic stains. For window glass, any product can be used; for tiles, it is better to choose an alkaline-based cleaner.

List of cleaners:

• Dopomat;
• Hodrupa A;
• ATLAS SZOR;
• Veroclean;
• Corvette;

Powerfix is ​​an acidic product, all others are alkaline. Corvette can be used to remove stains from porcelain tiles.All of these products are professional and highly concentrated, so before use they must be diluted according to the instructions. To get rid of stains, choose the “deep cleaning” concentration. After use, the surface should be thoroughly rinsed with water.

Steam cleaner

Most primer stains can be removed with a steam cleaner. It is well suited for cleaning tiles with a porous structure, but it cannot be used for window glass. The glass will heat up unevenly and will burst. Glazed tiles can also behave unpredictably, so the use of this technique is limited to floor tiles.

The cleaning method consists of two actions that are performed simultaneously.

1. Direct a jet of steam onto the stain.
2. Use a hard bristle brush to remove dirt.

Before using a steam cleaner, the stain can be pre-treated with a solvent. In this case, mechanical cleaning will be minimized and the surface of the tile will not suffer from excessive friction.

Prevention

The simple truth - prevention is easier than elimination - for some reason is well remembered only after several hours of scrubbing the stain with all possible means. But, indeed, if you take care in advance and cover the tiles and windows with film, then later you will not have to remove the dirt that has dried on tightly.

Use shrink film to protect your windows. It has a minimum thickness and will not “take away” sunlight. It is attached directly to the glass, and secured around the perimeter with masking tape. Any water-repellent material is suitable for tiles. Only thick polyethylene is used on the floor, and cardboard must also be laid on top of it.Such simple measures will allow you to carry out repair work without consequences - hardened cement on the windows, traces of glue, paint or primer.