Water-based acrylic paint that sticks to wood can be removed in several ways. Immediately remove the spilled paint on the wood so as not to be stubborn. You can remove dry or wet acrylic paint using soap and water, alcohol, heat gun, paint thinner, or sandpaper.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using Soap and Water
Step 1. Wipe the acrylic paint with a damp cloth
Wet a rag or cloth and then wipe as much of the acrylic paint on the wood as possible. Change the cloth if it is too wet or dirty.
This method cannot remove dry paint. Water and soap can only remove wet paint
Step 2. Wet a clean cloth with warm water and soap
Use a glycerol soap, such as dish soap, which can create more lather and soak into the wood. You can also use liquid or bar soap.
Step 3. Rub the excess paint with a foaming cloth
Keep scrubbing and adding more soap until all the acrylic paint is gone. Rub the rag parallel to the grain of the wood to remove any paint that is stuck in between the wood grain.
Step 4. Wipe the foaming area with a damp cloth
Keep rubbing the area until the foam is gone. You may need to rinse the cloth you used if the area is very foamy.
Step 5. Use a rag or towel to dry the wood
Use a rag or towel to dry the wet wood. The wood may remain damp and will be completely dry after 48 hours, depending on the extent of the paint stain.
Method 2 of 5: Using Alcohol
Step 1. Scrape off the paint stain with a cloth knife
Try to remove as much of the outer layer of the adhering paint as possible. The more paint you can scrape off, the less paint you'll need to remove with alcohol. Do not scrape the paint too deep to avoid scratching the wood surface.
Step 2. Wet a cloth with alcohol
Use plain alcohol. You can buy alcohol at the nearest pharmacy or convenience store. Place the cloth over the open mouth of the alcohol bottle and shake it once or twice. This is done so that the alcohol slightly wets the rag.
Step 3. Wipe off the stuck paint with a rag
Continue to moisten the rag with rubbing alcohol and rub the stuck paint off. Remember, alcohol can damage the wood's protective coating. Therefore, only apply alcohol to acrylic paint stains.
Step 4. Wipe the alcohol off
Wet a clean cloth with a little water, then wipe the stained area until the remaining alcohol sticks to it is gone. The smell of alcohol may linger on the wood, but this smell will wear off over time.
Step 5. Wipe the wood surface with a dry cloth
Wipe the wet wood surface with a cloth until it dries a little. The wood may take as much as 24 hours to dry completely.
Method 3 of 5: Using a Heat Gun
Step 1. Determine whether the area of the wood covered with paint is large enough or not
If you want to remove acrylic paint that is covering the entire surface of a wooden door, you may need to use a heat gun. If you're only removing a small amount of acrylic paint, use a more practical method, such as using soap or alcohol.
If you want to use a heat gun, it's inexpensive and can be purchased at your local hardware or craft store
Step 2. Read the instructions for using the heat gun carefully
If the temperature is too high, the heat gun can burn wood or even cause a fire. Read the safety manual carefully so that you can operate the heat gun properly.
Melting paint can produce vapors that are harmful to health. Therefore, wear protective clothing such as goggles and a mask
Step 3. Point the heat gun at the acrylic paint, then turn it on
Hold the heat gun at a distance of 7-10 cm from the surface of the acrylic paint and hold it for 10-20 seconds. Use a heat gun in a circular motion to heat a large area of acrylic paint.
Step 4. Use a cloth knife to scrape off the paint stain
Scrape off the paint stain using a cotton swab while continuing to heat it with a heat gun. The acrylic paint will soften and can be removed easily. Clean the blade if necessary. Continue scraping the wood until all the paint stains are gone.
Turn off the heat gun when cleaning the blade
Step 5. Wipe the surface of the wood once the temperature returns to normal
Wait for the wood temperature to return to normal, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove any remaining paint residue. You can slightly lather the rag for a more satisfying result (read the method of washing with soap and water above).
Method 4 of 5: Using Acrylic Paint Thinner
Step 1. Choose a diluent
One of the most commonly used paint thinners is dichloromethane. These thinners are very strong and should be applied with care. This thinner is made from citrus and is more environmentally friendly. However, this diluent is quite harmful to health. Therefore, appropriate security measures must be taken.
You can buy paint thinner at your nearest hardware or building store
Step 2. Wear protective clothing
Wear eye protection, such as protective eyewear, and a mask to protect yourself from harmful chemicals. Also wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing to avoid splashing the paint thinner.
Step 3. Prepare good air circulation
Do this outdoors whenever possible. However, if the wood cannot be moved, open all windows and doors. Place the fan behind you so that its gusts keep the toxic fumes away from you and direct them toward the window or door.
Step 4. Apply paint thinner
Use a paintbrush or roller to apply a thin coat of paint thinner to the acrylic paint. Leave it on for 20 minutes, or as long as recommended. The paint will bubble when the thinner reacts.
Step 5. Scrape off the bubbled acrylic car
Use a plastic paint scraper to scrape off any bubbling and peeling acrylic paint. Do not use a metal scraper to prevent the wood from getting scratched. Collect the peeling acrylic paint in a plastic container or bag.
Step 6. Clean the wood surface with mineral turpentine
Some people think that it is enough to clean wooden surfaces with water. However, the best way to neutralize wood is to wipe it with a rag soaked in turpentine.
Step 7. Wait for one week before starting to apply the wood protective coating
Allow the wood to dry for about a week before applying any polish or wax.
Method 5 of 5: Sanding the Wood
Step 1. Rub the paint with steel wool or sandpaper
Use #0000 steel wool or soft sandpaper (150-180). If there is a large amount of paint you want to remove, start with a coarser sandpaper, such as 80-120 or 40-60 sandpaper. Do this process gently to remove any adhering paint.
Large areas of paint can be removed using electric sandpaper, but make sure you wear a mask and protective goggles. Read the manual for using this tool carefully
Step 2. Clean the wood with a damp cloth
Wipe a damp cloth over the wood surface to remove dust and sawdust. Replace the cloth with a new one if it is too dirty.
Step 3. Apply a protective layer on the wood surface
Once dry, apply the same protective coating or polish to the wood surface. If you don't have a polish or don't know what type it is, try to match it as closely as possible to a sample from your nearest hardware store.
