How to Get Paint off Boots

Time is of the essence when it comes to cleaning spilled paint.

No matter how careful you are, it can be difficult not to spill – or step in – paint as you’re working on a project. If you’ve splattered paint on a favorite pair of rubber or leather boots, don't toss the boots aside because you think they are ruined. After trying a few different paint removal remedies, you should be able to restore your boots to good-as-new condition with a little patience and elbow grease. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Spoon
• Cotton swab
• Cotton rags
• Hair spray
• Cotton balls
• Rubbing alcohol
• Nail polish remover
• Sandpaper
• Old toothbrush
• Steel wool
• Shoe polish

Instructions

1. Scrape off the dried paint with your fingers or a spoon. If you’re nervous about scratching the surface of your boot, use a cotton swab instead.

2. Soak an old rag in warm, sudsy water and dab the paint stain. Repeat this step before moving on to the other methods.

3. Spray the area with hair spray, then blot it with a wet rag.

4. Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and dab the area, then blot it with a wet rag.

5. Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover (with acetone being the active ingredient) and blot the stain until it lifts.

6. Rub the splattered paint gently with a piece of fine sandpaper. For better control, wrap a piece of sandpaper around an old toothbrush.

7. Rub the paint stain with steel wool and some matching shoe polish.

8. Run the spot under warm water, then wash it with warm, sudsy water.

Tips & Warnings

• Polish or buff your boots after you remove the paint stain to fortify the exterior and return some of the boots’ natural luster.

References

• Paint Recipes; Liz Wagstaff
• Good Housekeeping: StainBuster: Paint, Latex
• Stompers Boots: Boot Care Tips
• Home and Gardening: Household Hints and Tips