It was Saturday morning I was walking out of my house to get the mail when I noticed that the lenses of my security cameras were damaged.
There was spray paint all over them! I couldn’t believe it. I tried many ways to get my camera lens cleaned back until it finally worked. So, this blog post will discuss the best ways to remove spray paint from security camera.
Now
Why do Vandals spray paint on security cameras?
Depending on the situation they’re involved in, there are many reasons why thieves use spray paint on surveillance cameras. Here are the common reasons:
1. Obscure the camera’s view
Burglars always need to do their work in silence without leaving any signs of what they are doing or without being caught by monitoring devices.
So, the vandals before doing anything, spray paint over the CCTV camera’s lens to blind the camera view, preventing it from capturing new video clips.
To clarify what Is mentioned in the first reason, watch the next video
Source: Matthew Colorado
2. Remove Video Evidence
When thieves decide to commit a crime, the first thing they think about is damaging the outdoor security cameras or alarms because these devices may help the homeowners and police catch them.
One of the methods that they use is to spray paint on the security camera lens, by doing this they make it harder for the camera to record clear images, and they eliminate any possibility of being identified via the captured video footage.
3. Increase Homeowner’s or Businesses Expenses
Another hidden reason that makes burglars want to destroy CCTV cameras is they need to increase the cost on homeowners or businesses they used to work in.
First, they spray paint on the security camera lens as it’s considered one the easiest ways to stop the camera. After that If it does not work, they use more effective methods to disconnect or disable the security cameras.
Once they do this, then the business or homeowners need to replace or remove the system cameras to get their system to work back again which causes financial damage to a business or individual.
4. Damage the Electronics Inside The Camera
Aside from getting security cameras damaged by vandals, sometimes surveillance cameras are damaged by family members.
The reasons why they need to stop or destroy the cameras are a lot. For example, one of the family members doesn’t need the camera to monitor bathrooms, or sometimes parents refuse the viewing angle of the camera and more.
Anyway, they pick a spray can from any store, and then they start to paint on the camera lens, or inside the camera to damage the internal electronics.
How to Remove Spray Paint From Security Camera Glass Lens or the Plastic Body?
Earlier, vandals spray paint on the camera’s body and they think that the camera is stopped.
Nowadays, they become smarter than before, they spray paint on effective parts of the IP camera such as lenses to block the camera view, or on camera sensors to disable some of the camera functions.
Moreover, they use many ways to disable security cameras, some of these methods are legal and some are illegal.
However, if you face the same issue, and you struggle to get your camera to work normally again, there are a few different ways that you can remove spray paint from the camera. Let’s see
Method 1: Purchase a Spray Liquid Remover
The first way and considered the easiest to remove spray paint from security camera is by using a liquid remover. It’s effective and makes it easy to take the paint off your surveillance camera glasses.
There are many different brands and types of liquid spray removers available on the market, so before you pick any type, be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for removing paint.
Once you have purchased you’re removing liquid spray, follow the instructions on the packaging.
Step 1: Bring a Piece of Clean Cloth
Once you have your liquid remover, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the harsh chemicals in the paint remover.
After that, get a soft cloth, and then put some of the spray removers on it. The moment that the fabric is saturated, stop putting more of the paint remover to avoid making the cloth wet.
Step 2: Wipe the Surveillance Camera Glass and Body Plastic
After applying the remover spray to a soft cloth, use the cloth to wipe the plastic body and the glass of the security camera.
Note that, when you start to wipe the camera, do it gently to avoid damage making more damage to the camera. Continue wiping until all of the spray paint has been removed from the CCTV surveillance camera.
Step 3: Clean the Area with Water drops
After you’re finished removing all of the paint from your camera, put some water drops on the camera body and lenses.
Once you have done this, start to remove the rest of the removal, then with a new piece of fabric try to dry it.
Pro Tip: Before replacing the camera in its housing, ensure the area is completely dry.
Method 2: Get a Razor Blade to Remove Paint from Hard Surfaces
One more way that you can use to remove spray paint from security camera is to get a razor blade.
This small blade is cheap and efficient to clean the paint from hard surfaces like the camera box, and mounting plate. If you think about using this way, then you need to follow these steps:
1. Turn off your surveillance camera by unplugging it from the power source if it’s wired, and remove the battery if it’s wireless.
2. Wear suitable gloves to protect yourself while using the razor blade.
3. Use a putty knife or razor blade to scrape away as much of the dried paint as possible from the camera’s body and lens.
Note that while you’re removing the spray paint with the sharp blade, do it carefully and make sure the lens is not scratched.
Also, Be sure to scrape in the same direction as the grain of the plastic or glass to avoid scratching it. If the paint is thick, you may need to use more pressure.
4. If the paint is still not coming off, try using a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball to remove it.
5. Make sure the alcohol doesn’t damage the surface of the camera by applying it to the lens’s edge first.
6. Once you’ve removed the painted spots on your cam, use a piece of cloth dampened with water to wipe away any residual paint or cleaner.
7. Dry the security camera thoroughly before plugging it back in and re-mounting it.
Without a doubt, this way is cheap as compared to the first one but also it needs someone who has enough knowledge on how to use a razor blade with glasses and sensitive parts.
Method 3: Use a Homemade Remover
We are all afraid of damaging our devices while we fix them, especially if it’s the first time.
But with this method, it’s a little different as we don’t need to purchase a chemical remover or use a razor blade to remove spray paint from security camera.
This way depends on using white vinegar to make a homemade recipe for removing and cleaning the glasses and surfaces. Let’s discuss what we will need for this method:
- Bowl
- White vinegar
- Sponge
- Toothbrush
- Paper towels
Step 1: Pour some white vinegar into the bowl. Just enough to soak the sponge is all you need.
Step 2: Take the sponge and gently put it into the vinegar.
Step 3: Gently rub the sponge onto the lens or plastic body of the camera. You don’t want to scrub too hard, just enough to get the paint off.
Step 4: When you’re done removing all the paint, wipe away the excess vinegar with a paper towel.
Step 5: In case of need, repeat steps two through four.
Step 6: Once you’re satisfied that all the paint is gone, use a clean sponge and some water to remove any vinegar residue.
Step 7: Dry off the CCTV lens or body plastic with a soft towel.
It’s interesting how powerful vinegar is and its ability to clean camera lenses or surfaces of monitors.
But like any other way used to remove spray paint from surveillance cameras, you should be careful and accurate while you’re dealing with camera critical parts such as lenses and sensors.
Method 4: Pick an Alternative Piece for the Camera Damaged Part
If the security camera is still not working after trying the previous methods, then it is probably time to replace the damaged part with a new one.
1. Look for an alternative piece that is compatible with your surveillance camera model.
2. You can find these replacement pieces online or at your local hardware store.
3. Once you have the replacement piece, follow the instructions in the security camera manual to install it properly.
4. Locate the damaged piece on your CCTV camera.
5. Remove the bolts or screws that hold the piece in place.
6. Pull the damaged piece away from the camera body.
7. Insert the replacement piece into the camera body and secure it with screws or other fasteners.
8. Test the camera to ensure it is working properly.
9. You should be able to use your security camera again after installing the new piece.
It’s interesting to have a new piece for your camera as it makes your camera back new again.
But you should know it also costs a lot of money especially if your camera’s alternative parts are expensive or not available in the market.
For adding more protection see also: Top 9 Ways to Keep Security Camera From Being Stolen
Summary
If your security camera becomes covered in paint, don’t panic! There are a few things you can do to try to remove spray paint from security camera and make it work again.
You can use a liquid remover, scrape off the paint with a razor blade, use a homemade vinegar remover, or purchase a replacement piece for the damaged part of the camera.
All of them are relatively easy to do, but the first one is probably the best option if you want to avoid any damage to your camera.
Have you tried any of these methods? Or do you have another method that you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
