How To Take Paint Off Plastic

You tin damage many types of plastic with solvents like acetone, etc., so start with low-impact solvents and and then movement on to the harder stuff, like Bob Dylan.

First, a simple exam if you are non sure what kind of paint it is, then we prove how to remove paint from plastic: both latex and oil. You probably accept what you demand at abode now.

The go-to product (something we should all have around the firm) is Motsenbocker's for latex paint and for oil paints (both shown). Mr. Motsenbocker, is there anything you tin't do? How to know what paint you have it central.

Is your pigment latex or oil-based? Test it:

Latex will go gooey when exposed to sure solvents.* Acetone is the best way to tell if dried paint is latex (near blast polish removers have acetone), but rubbing alcohol volition likewise deliquesce latex, just more slowly. Video of me doing this examination is at the very lesser.

How to Remove Paint from Plastic (Without Harm):

Put on some gloves.
Rub acetone or booze on the paint in a test spot and keep it wet for a few minutes. Don't become acetone on the plastic (it may melt).
Non gumming upward? Information technology's oil.
Mucilaginous? Latex.
The video at the very bottom shows what it looks like.

Latex?

If latex, go to the postal service only about removing latex paint: you are the lucky ones.

Oil-based (alkyd)?

1. Is it still wet? Proceed it wet! Apply the paint's known solvent right away if you lot tin. Not certain well-nigh the solvent? Start with pigment thinner (mineral spirits). Lighter fluid and gasoline volition work too.

Habiliment gloves!
As you wipe, the thin residue will dry fast: don't let it: keep it wet with pigment thinner or even cooking oil until you can get the full make clean-up going.
Don't use a material with much dye—information technology leaves a marking!). Other solvents listed below.
Wash easily very well if it touched your peel:
Don't be a cowboy, John McClane…Yippee-Kie-Yay it slowly seeps into your blood.

2. Has information technology dried up? Permit's start with what we accept around the house, so we'll look at some solvents and paint removers (and stock upward for next time). That old paint remover is now illegal for good reason. Read the Washington Post about new constabulary from the EPA, or you can it on the EPA'due south website.

• Always do a exam spot for each method to meet if the solvent harms the plastic (or any surface) underneath.

Use a tool to scrape off what you tin: choose a tool that won't scratch the substrate.
Tru cooking oils, motor oils, WD-40, etc, — these piece of work all-time if the paint has just recently dried. It will just soften paint for easier removal.
This eco-condom stripper claims it can remove 30 coats of paint at in one case: nosotros have used strippers like this and it works, but slowly. Continue it thick and moisture to keep it working.
Motsenbockers' Lift off for oil-based paints linked above is an onetime standard.
Citrus based gel paint removers (shown here) do piece of work, merely slower (and safer).
Shocker: eucalyptus oil worked! We add together this to laundry to kill dust mites etc. Oh, how we love this stuff. Me-love-y'all-long-time. Pricey.

〉〉 From here downward, wear gloves, eye protection, & respirator! The complex world of respirators is simplified here.
Paint thinner — let soak, then remove with a tool. Nosotros adopt odorless thinner, ah.
Booze— will not piece of work for oil-based paints, but volition for latex.
Nail polish remover, linked above. It's merely acetone— let soak, then remove with a tool. This is probable to damage the plastic.
Acetone — let soak, then remove with a tool (utilize the link in #nine). This will damage nigh kinds of plastic.
Lacquer thinner: very flammable! — let soak then remove with a tool. Warning: this can melt plastics.
Former-fashioned paint remover: nasty simply effective. I'd not use this unless the higher up methods neglect.
Heat Gun — Go ahead, brand my twenty-four hour period. Fun to utilize? Certain but…keep it moving to avoid melting the plastic. Actually fabricated for removing paint from metal, but this is your .45 Magnum, the nigh powerful handgun in the earth, Clint.

We have listed scrapers and all the bones painting tools in one place.

SOLVENTS: Almost of these are toxic and so you will demand to wash your easily well if y'all touch it. Don't delay.

Important Safety Alert: How to remove paint from plastic if the pigment contains Lead

Earlier removing erstwhile paint, make certain it contains no lead. Did yous hear that information technology causes irreversible damage to the brain, liver, and kidney? With this kit, yous can have five samples, send them into the EPA approved lab and the cost of the lab is included in the buy. I've looked at other kits that have hidden fees.

Removing lead pigment? Article of clothing the respirator on this folio with the purple, round filter: the 3M 2097, Organic Vapor Relief. Take that atomic number 82 and transmute it into gold: pays for itself.

How to remove paint from plastic or from annihilation, if whatsoever lead paint is present: wear a skilful respirator mask: read about my respirator: information technology's cheap insurance. Also…

Read from the EPA about what professionals are required in "abatement projects in pre-1978 target housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified and follow specific piece of work practices."

I ruined a collector's item in one case because I guessed at how to remove paint from plastic: information technology turned a M.I. Joe baldheaded. I hope this all helps.

Respirator to wear when using solvents to remove paint — 3M respirator filters for using pigment remover

Finally, done? Wash skin over and over with lots of soap to get any chemicals off.

Did nosotros forget something? Permit us know in the comments if you have some concerns or insight as to how to remove paint from plastic or how to remove pigment from anything of whatever kind. Thanks!

How to Bear upon-Up Pigment In 4 Steps (by and large deals with walls, merely gives some tips)
How to Remove Spray Paint (From All Kinds of Surfaces)
How to Get Spray Paint Off Skin (with Home Remedy)
How to Remove Latex Paint: Dry or Wet (Painter's Rag Trick)

The first of 2 videos below show the tests nosotros ran.