How to Remove Acrylic Paint

You are thinking of coloring up your nice white plastic soap case, then buying a set of acrylic paint and coloring up your soap case as you like.  Upps! Few colors drop on the basin, and it looks awkward.  Now you might be thinking of how to remove it. Don’t worry; apply hair spray or nail polish remover or baking soda ( whatever you have near your hands ) on the painted surface; when it gets soft, wipe it out with cloth or tissue paper and get the ultimate cleanliness as you want.

Now it is time to know what acrylic paint is actually. Acrylic paint is water based paint consisting of tiny particles of plastic resin and pigment. It is nontoxic and water resistant. You can easily use this paint for indoor or outdoor projects and apply it on surfaces like wood, plastic, glass, metal, fabric, and ceramic. You can also easily remove it by using easily available elements like nail polish remover, hair spray or vinegar, rubbing alcohol, soap depending on the painted surface.

This writing is going to give some necessary information about how to remove acrylic paint. You need to read it carefully.

Step by Step Process: How to Remove Acrylic Paint

acrylic paint set

Acrylic paint is a water based paint that is nontoxic and dries fast. But sometimes mistakes happen, and you need to remove the extra spot from the surfaces like wood, cloth, metal, ceramic, or fiber. For this, you have to follow some steps:

  • If the paint is still wet then it is easy to remove. You have to apply warm soapy water on the stain and let it soak properly. Then just wash it out with hands or by washing machines.
  • If the stain does not get lighter, then apply the solvent like vinegar or rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol or baking soda, with a cotton ball. Just wipe on the stain smoothly and wait until it soaks, then wash it away. 
  • Basically vinegar, rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol and baking soda these liquids are preferable for every kind of surface to remove unwanted or unnecessary stains.
  • If you have to remove the dried out paint, then you have to struggle a little bit. First of all you have to apply warm soap water on to the stain to get it soak and soften. If needed then apply the other solvents like alcohol, nail polish remover, baking soda, vinegar, hand sanitizer, ammonia, lacquer thinner, acetone etc. according to the surface. For example: alcohol or vinegar are suitable for any sort of surface. But ammonia, lacquer thinner, acetone, these solvents are suitable for clothes, metal ,wood and glass ,on the other hand nail polish is suitable for metal and ceramic  and hand sanitizer is good for canvas. Whenever you apply these liquids, you have to pour a cotton ball in them, and rub it onto the stain. Whenever it gets lighter, just wash it away with soap water in case of clothes, fibers or plastic, or wipe it up with tissue or cloth in case of wood, metal and ceramic.
  • You can even use a knife, card or brush to scratch away the dried out paint, then wash it away with soap water, or wipe it out with solvent mixed water.

This is how you can remove acrylic paint from any surface by following the above all steps. Removing acrylic starts when the paint gets apply on the surface; the methods get harder and harder when the paint gradually gets dry from being wet. Removing wet paint is the first step, and removing dry out paint is the final step to perform.

How Do You Get Acrylic Paint Off?

artist mix paint color

As it is being told, acrylic paint is water based, and it becomes water resistant when it gets dry. But don’t worry, you can easily get acrylic paint off by using things around your home like vinegar, baking soda, hair spray, nail polish remover, water, soap, scraper, depending on the painted surface.

There are some strong chemicals you can use to remove acrylic paint.

For example, You can remove acrylic paint from the clothes using Alcohol, hair spray, or nail polish remover. First of all, you have to apply the prospective remover, either alcohol or hair spray or nail polish remover, on the affected area until it gets wet. If you use hair spray, the stain will become tender, and then you can easily scratch it out from the cloth. If you apply nail polish remover or alcohol, apply it on the painted surface and use a piece of cotton to press it. It will soften the area then you can easily remove it. You can also use these elements to remove stains from the ceramic surface.

Another easy going trick is to use detergent and water. But it works effectively if you apply it before the paint gets dry.

There is an ammonia solution, which effectively removes stains from glass, metal, and plastic surfaces. But it does not work on clothes or wooden surfaces. You have to be careful while using it. Never use this to clean brushes. It dissolves brushes.

Then you can use rubbing alcohol to remove paint from wood and plastic. But be careful. It may affect your skin.

Acetone is the most effective remover, which removes the almost dried out paint from the surfaces like clothes, glass, and metal. But never apply it over plastic or synthetic clothing. It flames highly.

Denatured alcohol is the most powerful and dangerous remover. It can remove stains from all the surfaces, but be careful not to use it in suffocating places. It contains methyl and ethyl. 

Lacquer thinner can remove stains from the metal, wood, and glass. It is better to apply it to the outdoor surface of the house. It contains toluene and methanol. So it may become hazardous due to its flammability.

You can use vinegar to remove stains from your kitchen accessories. It can easily apply to clothes, wood, ceramic, and metal surfaces. Just mix one part of vinegar in ten amounts of water and apply.

You can apply another kitchen item, baking soda, to remove ceramic, metal, and glass stains. Just add some baking soda into boiling water and use it.

If you want to remove acrylic stains from jeans or denim, remember it is the hardest thing to do. Just keep washing the affected area with soap or detergent until it gets light. It is better to use your own hands than a washing machine.

Soap water, scraper, sandpaper, Sand block, paint stripper are the most effective elements to remove acrylic stains from walls.

Last but not least, you are always advising to wear a mask and gloves while removing acrylic paints using any of them from anywhere. 

What Removes Dried Acrylic Paint?

artist wash brushes

In this, you will inform about 6 effective removers that remove dried acrylic paint effortlessly.

Denatured Alcohol

It is the most powerful remover ever. It effectively removes dry acrylic paint from all kinds of surfaces, especially from plastics or unvarnished or unpainted wood. You are requesting to use it carefully because it contains the elements like methyl and ethyl, which are harmful to the skin.

Acetone

It removes dried out stains from metal and glass. It is perfect for air brush and nozzle tips but not safe for plastic and synthetic fibers.

Lacquer Thinner

It is the perfect remover for metal, wood, and glass. But be careful; never apply it for plastics; otherwise, it’s flames.

Isopropyl Alcohol, AKA Rubbing Alcohol

These are suitable for removing dried out stains from clothing, plastic, and wood.

Ammonia Solution

It is effective for metal, glass, and plastics.

Nail Polish Remover

It is very useful for removing dried out satins from the ceramic and metallic surface. You need to have it on time.

How Do You Remove Acrylic Paint From Canvas Without Rubbing Alcohol?

painting color with brush set

To remove acrylic paint from canvas without rubbing, you can use solvents like turpentine mineral spirits. These are easily affordable home products. Another thing you can use is hand sanitizer to remove the spots from the canvas. First of all, you have to take a cotton ball to pour into the solvent and then apply it to the spotted area of the canvas. When it is being soaked properly, you wipe it out with a cloth or tissue.

How Do You Get Dried Acrylic Off Your Brush?

If you use mineral spirit to clean the dried out acrylic from your brush then, dip down your brush into the mineral spirit and rub the brush against the wall as much as you can. After doing this for several minutes, your brush will get clean from the dried out acrylic. Now it is time to wash it away with clean water.

If you use acetone or nail polish remover, pour some acetone or nail polish into warm water and keep it for some moment to rinse the paint. After that, wipe out the brush with a cloth and get it all clean.

Remove Acrylic Paint from Canvas at Home: Ways and Solution

To remove acrylic paint from canvas, you first have to choose a solvent, whether mineral spirit or rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

If you want to remove any spot (which has slipped overdue to mistake) from the canvas, take a cotton ball and pour it into the select solvent, then put it on the affect area of the canvas until it soaks. Put it at least for 30 minutes when the paint gets soften, use a knife to scrape the paint, and wipe it out with cotton or clothes.

If you want to clean the entire canvas, find a large container that can place the entire canvas, such as a washing basin or storage container. You need to soak the entire canvas into the solvent and put it for 1 hour. Then use a knife or old paintbrush to clean the softened paint; then, wipe out the whole canvas. Now you have reached the final procedure. Lastly, you need to clean the entire canvas into the hot soapy water and let the canvas air dry.

But above all things, you can easily remove acrylic paint from the canvas at home.

Can I Use Nail Polish Remover to Clean Acrylic Paint Brushes?

Yes, you can utilize your nail polish remover to clean acrylic paintbrushes. For this, you have to mix nail polish remover with warm water properly. Then pour the brushes into the water and keep them for 30 minutes (you can even keep them longer than this). Whenever the brushes soak the water properly and the paint begins to soften, you pull them up and rub them against the wall as hard as you can until the paint gets remove properly. When it is done, wash them with warm water and wipe them with a cloth. Now it is time to get the air dry to keep them clean and usable for a long time. This is how you can clean your acrylic paintbrush by using nail polish remover.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Clothes?

It is easy to remove acrylic paint from clothes before it gets dry. If the paint is still wet, then place the cloth into hot soapy water, take a sponge and keep applying it until the paint gets loosened. If the spot is still visible, apply a drop of solvent like rubbing alcohol or ammonia or vinegar on the particular part and put it into the washing machine or wash it properly by hand.

Firstly, you need to apply a solvent to dry acrylic paint to remove it: ammonia, vinegar, or alcohol, then pour it on the affect area of the cloth and wait until it gets soften.

Once it gets soften, take a knife and scrap the paint if needed. Otherwise, take a cotton ball and wipe it out. Finally, give your cloth a heavy wash and get it clean.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Paper?

You can use vegetable or mineral oil to remove acrylic paint from the paper. Firstly, you have to rub it on the paper and wait until it sits properly. Then use regular dish detergent to wash it off. By this, you can easily remove acrylic paint from paper to get a mess free situation.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Glass?

Glass is a ventless element. You will get it easy to remove acrylic paint from glass. If the paint is not dried yet, apply soap water, nail polish, or glass cleaner on the affected area and then wipe it out with clothes or tissue.

If the paint gets dried, you have to work a little bit hard. You have to pour cotton on the solvent you have selected, either it can be alcohol or ammonia or baking soda or nail polish remover, then put it on the spot until it softens. When it gets softened, put a knife or card to scratch the spot from the glass; when it is done, wash it away into soap water and get it clean.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Wood?

You can easily remove acrylic paint from wood by rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, vinegar, Lacquer thinner.

You need to apply the selected solvent on the painted spot of the wooden area until it gets softened. It can be easily wiped out when it gets softened by normal soapy clothes from the wood. You don’t need to scratch that much as you have to clean clothes or metals.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Wall?

Using denatured alcohol or vinegar can easily remove acrylic paint from the wall. First, you have to put a cloth or towel into the mixture of solvent and water, then dab that on the stain until it gets lighter. Lastly, wash away the spot with cold water to remove it.

How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Skin?

You can use a combination of baby oil and rubbing alcohol to remove acrylic paint from the skin. Firstly, you have to wash out the spotted area with warm water and soap. Secondly, wipe your skin with a towel. Thirdly, apply baby oil to the spotted area. Then again, wash it away by the same procedure. By doing this, you can finally remove the acrylic spot from your skin. Due to baby oil, you will get proper moisture for your skin.

If you want to apply rubbing alcohol, then apply it to the spotted area of your skin with a cotton ball after washing your skin properly. After applying rubbing alcohol, again wash your skin with soap water and get the ultimate paint free, spotless skin. 

FAQ

Can Acrylic Paint be Removed Easily?

The acrylic paint can be removed easily if the paint is wet. You can even remove it by applying normal soap, warm water, or a clean cloth or vinegar. But if the paint gets dry somehow, you have to use a knife or hard things like a credit card or gift card along with the solvents like vinegar, alcohol, or nail polish remover. So the effort of removing acrylic paint depends on the paint being wet or dry.

Will Vinegar Remove Acrylic Paint?

Yes, vinegar will remove acrylic paint effectively from wood, metal, ceramic, and clothes. It is a natural paint remover to remove paint very nicely. It does not affect your skin, and it is quite more reasonable than the other removers.

Does Dawn Remove Acrylic Paint?

Dawn is dish soap. It does not remove acrylic paint. It is effective to remove oil based paint rather than water and chemical based paint like acrylic. So you cannot use dish soap to wash acrylic paint from any surface. You can apply dawn to remove oil paint from the wooden surface.

Does Hand Sanitizer Get Rid of Acrylic Paint?

Yes, hand sanitizer is an amazing way to get rid of acrylic paint from hands and out of the paintbrushes. You have to pour some hand sanitizer on the affected area when it gets softened, then wipe it out with old clothes or cotton. You can also apply it on canvas to remove unwanted acrylic spots.

Does WD 40 Remove Plastic Paint?

The direct answer is yes. WD 40 removes plastic paint very effectively. It is a highly organic product with complex hydro carbonate that easily breaks the bonding of macular paint to strip smoothly and get you a clean situation.

What Liquid is Used to Remove Acrylic Paint from Brushes?

The brush is the most important thing for painting. It is needed to clean properly. There are some suitable liquids to clean up the brushes. Basically, acetone or nail polish is the most reasonable and available liquid ever to remove acrylic paint from brushes. You can wash away your brushes using warm water mixed with the particular liquid and get them neat and clean.

Conclusion

Acrylic paint is an immensely popular and favorite paint artist. It is highly water and chemical resistant and does not take much time to dry. Due to such wonderful features, these paints are highly recommended for indoor and outdoor projects. You can easily apply this paint on woods, metals, plastic, ceramic, fiber, or fabrics. By this writing, you have got all the information regarding acrylic paints. 

Now you know how to remove acrylic paint, where to apply it, and remove it. All the information is in your mind from now on. It is your duty to choose the perfect shades for your prospective project and apply them. It is pretty sure you will have a colorful journey. If any mistake happens, you have the ultimate solution to make a correction. Best of luck with your acrylic journey.

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