You’re busy spraying or rolling some paint. The room is looking fantastic. Until you look at your hands. They’re covered in paint. How do you get spray paint off your hands?
Maybe you scratched your nose while working and got paint there too.
What are the best ways to get spray paint off your hands AND your skin?
How to Remove Spray Paint From Skin
Removing spray paint from your hands can be a frustrating task, especially if the paint has dried. However, there are several methods you can use to get spray paint off your hands, whether you’re dealing with oil-based or water-based paint.
Don’t stress about buying fancy paint removers or having to use chemicals. The good news is that paint remover for hands is as easy as looking in your kitchen cupboard or bathroom regardless if you applied the paint with a sprayer, roller or brush.
| How to Remove Paint From Skin |
|---|
| Soap and Water |
| Soybean Oil |
| Mineral Oil |
| Vinegar |
| Nail Polish Remover (Acetone) |
| Paint Wipes |
| Baking Soda |
| Hand Sanitizer |
| Vaseline |
Getting spray paint off your hands is easy if you clean your hands right away, before the paint has a chance to set. Use our 9 how to get spray paint off your hands tips and tricks and you’ll be cleaned up in no time.
How to Get Spray Paint off Your Hands: 9 Options
- Warm Water and Soap
- Soybean Oil (any seed or vegetable based oil will do)
- Mineral Oil
- Vinegar
- Nail Polish Remover
- Paint Wipes
- Baking Soda
- Hand Sanitizer
- Vaseline
Warm Water and Soap: How to get Latex Paint off Skin
Wondering how to remove spray paint from your hands or skin? The easiest and safest method, especially for water-based spray paints like latex, is a simple combo of warm water and soap.
Liquid dish soap tends to work best, but honestly, any gentle hand soap will do the trick. Just wet the painted area with warm water, add some soap, and start scrubbing in small circular motions with your fingers. Don’t be afraid to use a fingernail or soft brush to gently work the paint out of tougher spots.
Give it a couple of minutes of good scrubbing and you’ll know if this method is doing the job. If it’s not budging, don’t worry, we’ve got stronger (but still safe) backup methods coming next.
Soybean Oil
If warm, soapy water isn’t getting the paint off, then how do you remove spray paint from skin? Try coating the area with soybean oil.
You can also use olive oil or coconut oil, but they tend to be more expensive. Let whatever oil you have sit on the paint for a few minutes.
Then rub your skin to see if the paint will come off. Wash with warm water and dish soap once again and then repeat if the paint is still there.
You can also wash with salt or sugar to work on scrubbing the paint off if you wish.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is another method to get paint off skin. It will work on virtually all paint spots on your skin. You’ll want to coat the paint in mineral oil, rubbing it in with a finger.
Tough stains may require you to scratch through the paint with a nail before applying the mineral oil.
Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then scrub the paint area in a small circle to begin lifting the paint. You can use a coarse towel if you wish or you can just use your fingers.
If you have baby oil around the house, you can also use it to get paint off your skin.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that works well for both water-based and oil-based spray paints. It’s a great option if you want to avoid harsh chemicals.
Start by pouring a small amount of white vinegar onto a cotton ball or paper towel. Gently rub it over the painted areas on your skin. Keep rubbing until you see the paint start to break down.
Once the paint begins to dissolve, rinse your hands thoroughly with warm water. If needed, repeat the process until the paint is completely gone.
Nail Polish Remover
Another way to get spray paint off hands is to take a cotton ball and soak it with a nail polish remover. You might be able to use a makeup remover as well.
Then rub the spot with the soaked cotton ball until the paint begins to come up.
You may need to rinse and repeat the process several times to prevent the paint from spreading to other areas.
Rubbing alcohol is another option here if you don’t have a nail polish or makeup remover in the house.
These products will dry out your skin rapidly. After removing the paint, make sure to use a lotion or moisturizing product to prevent the skin from becoming chapped, itchy, or cracked.
Paint Wipes
There are professional paint wipes made by a variety of manufacturers that can quickly get spray paint off your skin.
Here are some of the best options currently available.
- Tub O Towels: Buy on Amazon
- Goof Off: Buy on Amazon
- Grime Boss: Buy on Amazon.
Spray paint removal from skin can even be done with baby wipes!
Not to mention they are super handy at cleaning up all sorts of messes in your home, car, on the go, while camping or hiking etc etc!
It can be difficult to remove stubborn paint, though not impossible.
Make sure you have the supplies on-hand to remove spray paint from skin before you start painting, so you can clean up afterward without difficulty.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural cleaner that can help remove spray paint from your skin. It works best on water-based spray paints.
To use it, mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Rub the paste over the affected areas, making sure to cover all the paint. Massage it into your skin for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat as needed.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer works well for removing oil-based spray paint because it contains alcohol, which helps break down the paint.
Apply a small amount of hand sanitizer directly to the paint-stained area. Rub it in thoroughly until the paint starts to come off. Once the paint loosens, rinse your hands with warm water. You might need to repeat the process for stubborn spots.
Vaseline
Petroleum jelly is another option for oil-based paints. Its oily texture helps soften and lift paint from the skin.
Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the painted areas on your hands. Gently rub it in and let it sit for a few minutes. As the paint begins to dissolve, rinse your hands with warm water. Follow up with soap and water to remove any leftover residue.
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How to Get Oil Based Paint Off Skin
The techniques for removing paint from skin depends on the type of paint. Latex paint is easily removable with just water and a scrubby. Removing spray paint from hands when it is oil based isn’t any more difficult.
Instead of using mineral spirits to get oil based paint off your hands, use an alternative to mineral spirits.
How to remove oil based paint from skin is as easy as rubbing cooking oil over your hands (coconut oil, canola, vegetable oil). Then, add dishwashing detergent (like Dawn) and scrub, first with your hands and nails then with a scrubber.
You may have to do this a few times to get all the oil based paint off your hands.
Tips for Keeping Spray Paint Off Your Skin
The best defense is a good offense. Proper preparation can keep spray paint off your skin in the first place. Here are our tips.
- Wear Gloves when Painting (and other protective clothing)
- Moisturize your hands before your start painting, it makes it easier to remove the paint
- Don’t spray towards yourself
- Be aware of where you put your hands while painting
Conclusion
Not matter how hard we try, we always end up with paint on our skin and hands when doing our painting projects. How to get spray paint off hands and skin is easy and can be done with ingredients found in anyone’s kitchen or bathroom. Paint On!
FAQs
Just use a bit of cooking oil or soap and water and scrub at the paint on your skin, it should be gone in no time.
