How to Remove 100% Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is different from other oil based paints as it uses a plastic resin and binder which is difficult to remove from fabrics. Many commercial products that work well with oil based paints react poorly with acrylic and can cause severe damage to fabric. Acrylic paints however react well with light basic treatments that neutralize and dissolve the paint when mixed with water. This means that you do not need expensive cleaners to remove acrylic paints.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ammonia
• White vinegar
• Table salt
• Water
• Soft bristled brush
• Gallon container (milk jug)

1. Pour 3/4 gallon of water into your milk jug. Make sure the jug is clean and use purified water if possible, although tap water is fine.

2. Add 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons ammonia and 1/2 cup table salt to the water in the jug.

3. Close your milk jug and and shake vigorously for several minutes. This agitation will mix your chemicals. Be aware that if you overdid the ammonia, your cap may pop off.

4. Pour a small amount of your mixed cleaner onto your acrylic paint. Allow the cleaner to sit for one minute.

5. Scrub your acrylic stain vigorously with the soft bristled brush.

6. You may rinse the stain with water every few minutes and repeat Steps 4 and 5 as needed, until the stain is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• After treating an acrylic stain with this process, you can clean the garments or other fabrics with a cold cycle in the washer. Always use cold water as this will protect other colors. This process works just as well on art board and canvas. When treating art boards or canvas, wet the brush and do not apply the cleaner directly to the canvas.
• Be careful when scrubbing delicate fabrics, as the brush combined with the slightly basic cleaning mixture can weaken some materials. Do not use this procedure on silks as they will rapidly deteriorate.

References

• Removing Acrylic Paints