In the course of remodeling or painting, it's not uncommon to come across stray paint that you need to strip from metal hardware. Assuming that the item that you wish to clean is of a reasonable size and can be somewhat easily manipulated, the easiest way to remove latex paint is by soaking the item in hot vinegar. This is most easily accomplished with smaller items, but if you have larger items or several items needing to be soaked, you can do them in batches or in one large container.
Instructions
1. Heat the undiluted vinegar to a simmer, whether on the stovetop or in the microwave. (Note: Do not microwave metal.)
2. Place your item in the vinegar once it it simmering (if you're heating the vinegar on the stovetop and your item will fit into the pot). If you are transferring the vinegar to a larger vessel, do so at this time, and pour over your item.
3. Allow the metal item to soak in the hot vinegar long enough that the paint will begin to dissolve. You will know that this is occurring based on a visual inspection; the paint will appear to bubble.
4. The latex paint should, at this point, slide away easily from the hardware. However, it may require a quick swipe of the sponge. If your paint does not come off easily, repeat the above step, and allow to soak longer.
