How to remove acrylic paint

Have you been using acrylic paint and got stains? We show you how to remove acrylic Paint from different surfaces. Find out!

How to remove acrylic paint from clothes

While painting, your clothes or those of a member of your family may be splashed with acrylic paint. You shouldn't give up on it yet, because you can try to remove the stain at home.

If it is wet acrylic paint, it will be easier to remove. This type of paint can be easily cleaned with water if it is not dry. First of all, check the label to see if it is a delicate fabric requiring dry cleaning. If this is the case, you will have to take the garment to the dry cleaner’s. If it can be washed in the washing machine, first of all remove as much paint as possible and cover the stain with absorbent paper. It will absorb any remaining paint. Then, apply washing up liquid or liquid detergent to the back of the stain and rub the affected area gently with a brush. If you see that the stain remains after rinsing, repeat the step as many times as necessary. Last of all, put it in the washing machine with some liquid detergent. 

On the other hand, once acrylic paint dries on clothing, it can be much more difficult or even impossible to remove. As the stain is not wet, the treatment is more complicated, as the plastic layer of the dry paint will have to be removed. Alcohol is one of the most popular remedies, but also a very aggressive one. If you decide to use it, try it on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment first. In the event that there is any wear or discoloration in the fabric, you will not be able to continue, and you will have to take the garment to the dry cleaner’s. If there are no problems, you can go on treating the stain. To this end, apply alcohol on the stain and rub with a cloth, brush or cotton wool. Then, as above, apply soap to the stain and, after rubbing it with a brush, rinse it out. Repeat the step as many times as is necessary. Last of all, put the garment, if the fabric permits, in the washing machine and wash it as usual.

How to remove acrylic paint from glass?

In this case, acrylic paint can be removed with hot water and a drop of detergent for floors. You usually do not have to use a blade to remove the stain from the glass. Dip a sponge in this mixture and rub the surface of the glass with the rough side of sponge. There is no need to rub very hard. Rub gently and leave the mixture to do its job. You can also leave the wet sponge on the surface of the glass with the paint to speed up the removal process. This will soften the paint, thus making it easier to remove it with a soft cloth.

How to remove acrylic paint from wood

As occurs with fabrics, given that acrylic paint has a  watery composition, it is much easier to remove it if it is spilt when dry, due to the fact that it tends to stick to the surface. There are different ways to remove acrylic paint from wood irrespective of whether it is dry or fresh, and these are listed below:

• Soap and water: dampen a cloth and wipe the fresh acrylic paint stain until the stain is removed. It is not effective for old stains.
• Basic isopropyl alcohol: dip a cloth that is impregnated but not soaked in the alcohol. Rub with the cloth until all the paint has been removed. The finish of the wood may be affected so you should only wipe the area with the stain.
• Heat gun: You must aim the gun at the paint stain and keep it at a distance of approximately 10cm from the stain for 10 to 20 seconds, moving it in small circles. When the stain has softened and begins to peel, start scraping with a spatula until the paint disappears.
• Solvent: Use a special solvent for acrylic paint. The most common is methylene chloride. It is very potent and should be used with caution.
• Sanding the wood: If the paint stain covers a wide area, it is best to use an electric sander or any other with the help of a damp cloth.