# Removing latex paint from aluminum windows

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 21, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327 "2008-01-21T02:04:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327/1 "2008-01-21T02:04:49Z")

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I let the renters paint the house a really ugly purple/tan. I’m repainting it with many coats of white. How do I remove their purple latex (and my white) from aluminum windows? My usual method, a razor blade, scratches the aluminum.

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**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327/2 "2008-01-21T06:05:18Z")

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Chemical removal would be your best bet, but you have to ensure that the product is safe/nonreactive with aluminum. [Peel-Away, made by Dumond Chemicals, Inc.](http://www.dumondchemicals.com/index.html) comes in many different varieties, for different applications. Their product line is available from most professional paint suppliers, and a few of the more popular items may be found at big box retailers. Good luck.

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**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327/3 "2008-01-21T06:08:56Z")

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A heat gun might be best, if it’s practical in your situation. The heat can be petty narrowly applied.

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**Author:** ![posting\_while\_driving\_a\_semi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@posting\_while\_driving\_a\_semi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/posting_while_driving_a_semi)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327/4 "2008-01-21T16:37:18Z")

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There’s a good product at every hardware store for latex called Goof-Off.  
Comes in a small tin like household oil, or in a refill can about 13 oz.

What also works is acetone, but be careful as it will destroy the paint on your sills and sashes.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-latex-paint-from-aluminum-windows/434327/5 "2008-01-21T16:42:08Z")

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Thanks all, I’ll check the hardware store on the way in today.