When painting is your passion, there are bound to be accidents of spilled paint. It can end up on your skin, your clothes, the floor, even your walls. If this happens, the first thing you are going to wonder is if it will come off and what you need to do.
So, is acrylic paint washable? Yes, it is. If you catch the spill while it is still wet, it will easily wash off. However, if you don’t catch it until it’s dry, it will be harder to wash off. It will be more difficult to wash dried paint off fabric than skin, so if you spill on fabric, you will need to take care of it immediately.
Acrylic paint is permanent when it dries, so it is very likely that you will have a difficult time removing it from most surfaces, including fabric. It isn’t impossible and can be done with the right product. The best thing you can do is cover your surroundings and always check for drips so you can catch them before it has the time to dry.
How to Wash Off Acrylic Paint
There are a few different ways that you can remove acrylic paint. The first thing you need to do is try to remove as much of the wet paint as you can. If the paint is dry, you can scrape it away from the surface that it is stuck on.
The most common surface that acrylic paint gets spilled on is clothing. If you notice the drip while it is still wet, immediately take it to the sink and hold the stain under cold water. Rub the stain and flush the clothing until the water comes out clear. You can also soak the clothing in cold water until the stain starts to fade.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
Another thing you can do is spray some hairspray onto the stain. Spray enough so that the fabric is wet. You can also use nail polish remover, but this runs a higher risk of damaging how the fabric looks. While the hairspray or nail polish remover is still wet on the surface, use a sponge to rub the stain.
As you rub, you should see the stain begin to lift and the paint will transfer from the fabric to the sponge. If necessary, you can add more hairspray or nail polish remover and rub again. If you don’t have a sponge, a firm brush or a toothbrush will work effectively against the stain.
Before you put the clothing in the washer, you will want to treat it with a stain remover. You can either add the stain remover directly to the stain or soak the whole piece of clothing in it. The best kind of stain remover is a commercial grade because it will work harder to get the stain out than other removers. Shout is pretty good at getting paint stains out of clothes.
Finally, you will want to wash the clothing on a low temperature. It is recommended that the temperature of the water stays 86 degrees or lower. You can use a regular laundry detergent without having to worry about any negative impact. For the best results, you will need to air dry the clothing after washing. The high temperature of the dryer can set the stain and you won’t be able to get it out.
Washing acrylic paint off upholstered furniture is much more difficult. First, you will need to gently scrape away any surface paint with a knife. Be very careful when you do this to avoid ruining the surface. Mix a bucket of warm water and dish or laundry detergent. Make sure the water is just warm, not hot, as this can cause the stain to set in.
Very carefully blot the stain with the mixture using a clean cloth. You will want the cloth the be damp, but not dripping. Wring out any excess water before you start working on the stain. Extra water can cause the stain to spread.
After you clean it with the soapy water, you can dab the stain with some nail polish remover. Before doing this, you will want to test a part of the upholstery that isn’t visible, so you don’t risk ruining the furniture. Dab very carefully to prevent moving the stain around the fabric.
Is Acrylic Paint Permanent on Clothes?
As long as you aren’t using a washable acrylic paint, it will remain permanent on clothing if you want it to. Acrylic paint is a great way to add designs to shirts that will stay when it has been washed.
You will then need to wait for the paint to dry then toss it in the dryer on a high heat to set the paint into the fabric. You can also use an iron and a thin dish towel in between the surface and the iron as a protection.
If your goal is not to get a design to stick onto the fabric, you will want to catch the stain while the paint is still wet. If the paint dries onto the surface of the fabric, you will have a much harder, if not impossible, time getting the stain removed.
Is Acrylic Paint Washable on Cars?
While it is possible to wash acrylic paint off a car, the process can be long and difficult. The first thing you need to do is scrape off as much of the excess paint as you can. Be careful that you don’t scratch the paint of the car during the process.
Next, soak the spot with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is extremely effective when it comes to removing acrylic paint from smooth surfaces. Let the rubbing alcohol sit on the surface of the stain for a few hours.
After the rubbing alcohol has had plenty of time to set, slowly wipe it off the surface of the car with a clean cloth. To make it easier, you can dip the cloth into a warm, soapy water to completely clean the alcohol off the surface.
Repeat these steps as much as necessary until the stain is completely removed. Be careful to avoid the regular car paint during this process so you don’t accidentally damage it. This can be upsetting and can result in you needing a new paint job.
Chalk out another one of my articles that talks about Acrylic Paint Ruining Car Paint. It’s definitely worth a read if you plan on using acrylic paint on your car. You will want to make sure it doesn’t ruin or chip your car paint.
Is Acrylic Paint Waterproof After It Dries?
When acrylic paint is dry, it forms a water-resistant layer. However, since acrylic paint is water-based, it will not become fully waterproof. You will be able to wash the painting gently with soap and water without worrying about it getting ruined, but you will not be able to fully submerge the painting in water or it will rinse off.
If you want to make your acrylic painting waterproof, you can always apply a waterproof sealer. This will ensure your painting doesn’t get ruined even if it comes in contact with water. Most acrylic sealers tend to be water-resistant, but Mod Podge comes in tons of varieties that range form waterproof, to matte and even a glitter finish.
If you plan on having your painted project near water, I would definitely use a waterproof sealer like the one I recommend above. Mod Podge Dishwasher sealer is perfect for painted mugs and plates that need to washed, so it can definitely handle some water pressure.
Final Thoughts
There are always going to be instances where acrylic paint spills. If you cover your surrounding efficiently, you won’t need to worry about it staining, but there are some unfortunate circumstances that you get paint on your furniture or your clothing.
Acrylic paint is washable when it is still wet, but you will have a much harder time washing it once it is dry. Acrylic paint becomes water-resistant, so it will not come off with soap and water like it would when dry. Washing off dry paint will be a longer process and isn’t always guaranteed to work.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted project turns out great. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!