How do you remove white residue from paint?

You can remove white residue from paint using a simple solution of distilled white vinegar.

White residue on paint is often caused by mineral deposits left behind by water evaporation, especially on exterior painted surfaces. These deposits can appear as a white, powdery or chalky substance.

Using a Vinegar Solution

Based on common practices and the provided reference, a straightforward method involves using distilled white vinegar because its acidic nature can help dissolve these mineral stains.

Here's how to apply this method:

1. Prepare the Solution: Get some distilled white vinegar.
2. Soak a Cloth: Soak a clean, soft cloth thoroughly in the distilled white vinegar.
3. Apply to the Area: Lay the soaked cloth directly over the white spots or residue on the painted surface.
4. Allow to Dwell: Leave the cloth in place for about a minute to allow the vinegar to work on the deposits.
5. Gently Rub: After the dwell time, gently rub the affected area with the same cloth. The acidity of the vinegar helps to dissolve the minerals causing the white residue.
6. Rinse (Optional but Recommended): After the residue is gone, you may want to gently rinse the area with clean water and dry it with a separate clean cloth to remove any vinegar residue.

Using distilled white vinegar is a DIY solution that leverages the fact that vinegar is acidic, so it can help dissolve minerals, which are often the cause of white residue. It's always a good idea to test this method on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't negatively affect the paint finish.