How to Remove Spray Paint from Skin, Fabric and More

Discover how to remove spray paint without using heavy chemicals. It doesn't matter if it’s your skin, fabrics, or other common surfaces– these simple, all-natural remedies will get the spray paint off in no time.

As the late, great Bob Ross once commented upon painting, ‘there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.’ Although this is a beautiful outlook, it’s fair to say that he may not have been thinking of spray painting accidents when he said that. 

Unwanted streaks and spots of spray paint can be a devil to remove from surfaces. Fortunately, there is a multitude of methods that exist that can help you remove unwanted specks of spray paint. We’ll show you how to remove spray paint from skin, fabrics, plastic, metal, and wood. 

Removing Spray Paint from Skin 

If you’ve got spray paint on your skin, don’t worry! Learning how to remove spray paint from skin is easy. To begin, consult the label on the bottle to determine whether you used oil-based or water-based paint. 

With oil-based spray paint, the most efficient way to combat oil is by using more oil. If you’ve used oil-based paint, simply: 

1. Grab whatever cooking oil you have on hand in your kitchen, e.g. sunflower, vegetable, or olive oil. 
2. Rub a small amount of oil on the affected area of your skin.
3. Rinse and repeat the process as necessary. 

On the other hand, if you’ve used water-based spray paint, you can remove it by taking the following steps: 

1. Use hot or warm tap water with a few drops of dish soap to scrub the affected area.
2. You’ll need to use a bit of friction and pressure to remove the spray pain. Try using a toothbrush or a regular household sponge (not steel wool). 
3. Rinse and repeat as required.  

Removing Spray Paint from Fabric 

Spray paint stains on fabric and carpet may be easily removed by treating them as soon as possible, while the paint is still damp. Time is of the essence, so remove any paint-covered cloth as fast as possible and thoroughly rinse the affected surface area. These instructions are applicable for both oil- and water-based spray paints. 

1. If the paint is still wet, dab the area with a towel and warm water. Remember to blot the paint and avoid rubbing it in. Blotting helps the stain rise to the fabric’s surface while rubbing just serves to exacerbate the problem by embedding the paint further into the material.
2. If everything else fails, dish soap might be used as a final option. 
3. To remove the spray paint, wipe the affected area with a dry cloth. 
4. Keep going until the desired outcome is reached. 

However, if you notice the paint stain a little too late, don’t despair! If the undesired spray paint has dried, take the following steps: 

1. To remove hardened paint, use a butter knife, spoon, or fingernail. Take care not to rip the fabric. 
2. Dissolve the excess paint with a DIY nail polish remover. You can make this by mixing equal parts lemon juice and vinegar. Test this solution first on an unobserved area to verify they won’t lose the dye on the clothes. 
3. Washing the garment in your washing machine will help remove as much paint as possible from the fabric. 

Removing Spray Paint from Plastic 

Spray paint can easily be removed from plastic using a sharp razor blade or knife with no harm to the surface (if you’re careful). Oils can also be very effective at loosening dried spray paint and removing it from plastic surfaces.   

A spray paint stain on plastic may be removed with a variety of oils, like olive oil, vegetable oil, or even baby oil. Here are the steps you can take: 

1. Take a clean rag or cotton ball, apply a dose of oil and rub it on the affected area. 
2. Leave the oil on the surface for five minutes to allow the paint to soften.
3. Use a toothbrush to scrub the paint away.
4. Rinse with warm water and repeat as necessary. 

 

Removing Spray Paint from Metal 

There are many safe and eco-friendly ways to remove spray paint from small metal objects using common household items. Baking soda and water or white vinegar and water can be used to remove paint off metal surfaces without the use of intense chemicals. Simply: 

1. Using a large pot, pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. 
2. Next, stir in 1/4 cup baking soda or vinegar. 
3. Add your item to the pan, and let it boil for 15 minutes, or until the paint drips off. 
4. Using gloves and pliers or forceps, remove the hot metal pieces from the pot. 
5. Let the metal pieces cool down.
6. If any residue paint remains, you can use a knife or hard-bristle brush to scrub it off. 

Removing Spray Paint from Wood   

Spray paint may be removed from wood using these all-natural home solutions. Each has its own set of perks and drawbacks. Here are the most common ways to remove spray paint from wood, and what to expect:

Using Baking Soda 

Baking soda is a ubiquitous household item that features frequently in DIY cleaning recipes. You can even use it as a carpet cleaner. 

To make sure you don’t damage your wooden surface, you can experiment first by applying this solution to a very minute area of the wood.  Even though it’s cheap, baking soda may damage wooden products. Using this procedure to remove paint off hardwoods is not recommended. 

Here’s what to do:

1. Heat water in a pot and bring it to a boil.
2. Add a ½ cup of baking soda to the pot and mix thoroughly. 
3. Apply this solution to the wood with the unwanted spray paint spots. 
4. Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes. 
5. After the paint has softened, you may begin scraping or brushing it off. 

Using Vinegar 

We’ve waxed lyrical before about the myriad of ways in which vinegar can be used in the household, whether it’s to clean your clothes or to clean your home. In addition to cooking and cleaning, vinegar is an all-purpose, natural home ingredient that can easily remove pesky spray paint stains. 

You can use vinegar from any local grocery store, and it’s far safer than buying cleaning agents, as it doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals like most commercial cleaning products. Try this method out on a little patch of wood first. The acidic nature of vinegar can corrode wood, so it’s important to be careful when applying it to surfaces and to always rinse it off afterward. 

To remove spray paint spots from wood, simply: 

1. Bring a cup of vinegar to a boil.  
2. Use a brush or sponge to spread the vinegar over a surface. 
3. After 15 minutes, check to see whether the paint has become more pliable. Once the paint has become soft, you may begin scraping it off.  

Read more:

• The Best DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner: 3 Ingredients Only
• How to Get Red Wine Stains Out of Clothes, Tablecloths and More
• DIY: Easy Homemade Stain Remover

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Tags: Cleaning Guide Practical Tips