How To Absolutely Remove all Acrylic Paint without Stress

Acrylic paint is a fast-drying water-based paint which contains the pigment that is suspended in the emulsion. It becomes water resistant when it dries up, and it’s not easy to remove from surfaces. Hence, to remove acrylic paint from any surfaces, you will need a cleaner that can break down the acrylic resin. Note that the cleaners are picked based on the type of surface in which they will be used on. This article will explain the cleaner that is appropriate for different surfaces and provides the procedure to follow in removing the paint.

Different Types Of Cleaners

Different types of cleaners can be used for removing acrylic paint. They are explained below with the appropriate surfaces they can be used on.

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  • 1. Rubbing alcohol – This is also known as isopropyl alcohol is efficient for removing dried acrylic paint from both non-porous materials like (wood, metals, etc.) and clothing that has a little elbow grease. Rubbing alcohol usually dissolves the acrylic paint when the stained material is dipped into the alcohol and then rubbed with an old toothbrush.
  • 2. Ammonia solution – This is effective in removing both semi-dry and a dry acrylic paint from only non-porous surfaces. Unlike the rubbing alcohol, it is not suitable for removing acrylic paint stain from clothing materials. It is more effective in removing paint because it is used to balance acrylic emulsions by raising it PH. It is also not suitable to be used on brass (like the brass plating at the end of brushes), and it also blackens aluminum.
  • 3. Lacquer thinner - This is a very strong solvent that is effective in removing acrylics from glass and metal. Lacquer thinner is not usually recommended because it contains methanol and toluene which are poisonous chemicals. Toluene can affect human health, so it is not advisable to use.
  • 4. Acetone can only be used on a non-porous substance like glass and metal where it is impossible to scrub. Unlike alcohol, it cannot be used on plastic and synthetic fabrics because of the powerful solvent it contained. It is highly poisonous like lacquer thinner and highly flammable as well.
  • 5. Denatured Alcohol – This is a little stronger than the rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) because its composition is made up of ethyl and methyl. This is more effective on plastic surfaces. It also contains methanol which is poisonous and highly flammable. It usually burns with a pale blue flame that is usually not visible in sunlight. For this, it is advisable to be used in an area where there is protection against fire outbreak, and there is good ventilation.

Therefore, only Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) is safest to use for removing acrylic paint.

Things You Will Need

The things that you will need for removing acrylic paint from fabrics and non-porous materials like woods, metals and glasses are listed below. Make sure you have gotten all the needed tools before you continue.

Removing Acrylic Paints From Porous Surfaces With Rubbing Alcohol

The steps to take to remove acrylic paints from porous materials (like fabrics) are listed and explained below:

Step 1: Moisten the part stained by Acrylic paint with rubbing Alcohol

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Firstly, before you try to put the cleaner on your fabric, test it on any part of the fabric which is invisible to know whether or not the cleaner (rubbing alcohol) is going to remove any of the dye on the fabric. After confirming that it cannot remove the dye, soak the stained part of the clothing with rubbing alcohol for around 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve the paint. Make sure the fabric is well moistened so that it will also get into the fiber of the fabric

Step 2: Remove the paint stain by scrubbing it off

how-to-remove-acrylic-paint

Via: WikiHow

After being soaked for around 10 to 15 minutes, scrub the paint off with the use of a butter knife or an old toothbrush. Try not to distribute the paint to another part of the fabric and ensure the scrubbing is done carefully and with care so as not to damage the fabric.

Step 3: Repeat the procedure

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Surely, the paint cannot be removed at once but will be removed. After the second process, try the procedure again until the paint stain is finally removed from the materials.

Step 4: Wash and dry the materials

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After step 1 to 3 has been followed and the paint has finally been removed, the materials need some washing with a regular laundry detergent to get rid of the smell of the alcohol from them.

Removing Acrylic Paints From Nonporous Surfaces (Like Woods, Metals, And Glass) With Rubbing Alcohol

Since acrylic paint is mixed with water, it is usually easier to clean from non-porous materials than oil based paints. The procedure for removing acrylic paint stain from non-porous surfaces are listed and explained below:

Step 1: Scrape off some of the paint that you can remove

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This can be done by the use of a scraper like a putty knife, utility knife, butter knife, sand paper and so on. Since we are removing the paint from a non-porous material, this is usually done to remove some of the paint that can be removed.

Step 2: Also soak the stained area with rubbing alcohol

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Via: WikiHow

Just like what were done to remove acrylic paint on porous materials, also ensure that the stained area is moistened with rubbing alcohol for up to an hour using a rag that has already been soaked in the cleaner.

Step 3: Scrub the area with a soapy water solution

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Wash the stained area with a soapy water solution after it has been soaked in alcohol for up to an hour. This should remove all the paint stain from the non-porous material.

Step 4: Repeat the steps if need arises

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If after step 1 to 3 is done and there remain residues of paint, repeat the processes again until all the paint stain are removed.


All the steps mention above are practical guidelines to follow when acrylic paints stain porous and non-porous materials like clothing, metals, woods, and glasses. There is no need to panic again; all the stain will be removed when the steps written above are correctly applied. Fortunately, the procedures above on removing acrylic paint won’t cost you much so why don’t you try them and never worry about the acrylic stain, ever again.

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