Whether you're painting your living room or painting on canvas, oil-based paints provide a subtle, rich look that's almost second to none. The problem is, these paints are usually more difficult to clean than water-based paints. However, if you know the right products and procedures, you can make it easier to clean oil paint. The key is to use a product that can strip away the oil; So you'll need a cleaning agent that breaks down the oil if you want to clean brushes, leather, or fabrics that have been stained with paint before rinsing with water.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning the Oil Paint from the Brush
Step 1. Pour the mineral spirit into a non-plastic bowl
To help reduce oil paint on your brushes, you'll need a paint solvent. You can use odorless mineral spirit by simply pouring a small amount into a small glass or ceramic bowl and placing it in the sink where the brush will be cleaned.
You can also use turpentine to remove oil paint from brushes. However, the smell is so strong that you have to work in a well-ventilated area
Step 2. Dip the brush in mineral spirit and run it back and forth in your hands
When it's ready, soak it in a bowl of mineral spirit to make sure all the dirty bristles are wet with the liquid. Then, rub the brush back and forth in your hand to push the mineral spirit deeper into the bristles.
Make sure you rub both sides of the brush in your hands so that the mineral spirit is sure to seep through the bristles all the way to the oil paint there
Step 3. Pour and rub the dish soap on the brush
After cleaning the brush with mineral spirit, pour a small amount of dish soap on the bristles and rub vigorously with your fingers.
- You can use just about any dish soap, as it is usually designed to remove grease.
- The exact amount of dish soap used depends on the size of the brush and the level of dirtiness. Usually, 25-50 mm of soap is sufficient.
Step 4. Squeeze the liquid from the brush
Once the laundry soap has been applied to the brush, use your fingers to squeeze any remaining liquid from the brush. Try to remove as much paint, mineral spirit, and dish soap from the brush as you wring.
Step 5. Rinse the brush with hot water
Once you've removed as much of the liquid from the brush as possible, turn on the sink water and let it sit for 30 seconds until it's hot. Rinse the brush thoroughly with the water, and wring it out again to make sure nothing remains.
If the brush is very dirty or the paint stain is old, you may need to repeat all the steps 2 or more times to remove the paint
Step 6. Dip the brush in mineral spirit and pour the soap back
Soak the brush again in the mineral spirit and pour a pea-sized amount of dish soap and rub it over the bristles with your fingers.
After you've rubbed the cleaner into the brush, don't rinse it off this time
Step 7. Wrap the bristles of the brush with kitchen paper, and squeeze out the remaining liquid
While the mineral spirit and dish soap are still on the brush bristles, wrap them with kitchen paper. Squeeze a tissue against the bristles of the brush to remove any excess liquid. Air the brush until it dries completely.
Allow any remaining mineral spirit and dish soap to dry on the bristles to keep them as smooth as new when you use them again
Method 2 of 3: Remove Oil Paint on Skin
Step 1. Mix essential oil and coconut oil
To make a cleanser to remove paint from your skin, add a little coconut oil and 2-3 drops of essential oil in a bowl. Stir until completely mixed.
- You can use different types of oil, such as olive or canola oil, to break up the oil paint. Oil paints are usually best because they are solid at room temperature so they don't fall apart when rubbed against the skin.
- The amount of coconut oil you need will depend on the amount of paint stains on your skin. Start with a little oil and add gradually if the paint still doesn't come off.
- You may not add lemon essential oil. However, lemon is a very effective cleaner, so paint can wear off quickly.
Step 2. Rub the mixture on all the dirty skin
Once you've mixed the coconut and essential oils, apply them on the paint-stained area with your fingers. Massage coconut oil into your skin until the paint breaks and comes off.
If all the paint doesn't go away, add a little more coconut oil to the skin to help break up any excess paint
Step 3. Wash the skin with soap and water
After you've removed the paint with coconut oil, use your regular hand or body wash and water to remove the residue from the skin. Pat the skin dry with a towel, then apply a moisturizing lotion to prevent the skin in the cleansed area from drying out.
If there is a lot of paint on your skin, the cleaning process may need to be repeated 1-2 times until it is completely clean
Method 3 of 3: Removing Oil Paint from Fabric
Step 1. Scrape and pat the paint off the fabric
As soon as you notice the oil paint sticking to the fabric, use a utility knife, plastic knife, or even sturdy cardboard to scrape it off. Then, pat the stain with a white cloth or cloth to absorb excess moisture from the stain.
You will need to use a white cloth to blot the paint stains to make sure the paint doesn't transfer to the cleaned cloth
Step 2. Rinse the stain with water
Once the stain has been removed and patted off the cloth, rinse with warm or hot water. You can wring any excess moisture out of the fabric afterwards, but don't let it dry completely.
Read the care guide for the cleaned cloth. Use hot water to rinse off the paint stain
Step 3. Blot the stained area with turpentine
When the cloth has been rinsed, place it on a clean white towel. Use a white cloth to pat the area with turpentine to remove the paint stain from the cloth.
- Turpentine can make some fabrics fade. Test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first to make sure it's not damaged.
- If you don't want to use turpentine to blot the stain, use mineral spirit.
- You may need to pat the stain several times with turpentine to remove all the paint.
Step 4. Apply dish soap on the stain and leave it overnight
After you've patted the stain with turpentine, rub a little dish soap on the remaining stain. Next, put the cloth in a tub or bucket of warm water and soak it overnight.
- Use dish soap designed to scrape off grease.
- You can soak the cloth in the sink, if you want.
Step 5. Rinse the cloth
When you have finished soaking the cloth overnight, remove it from the tub or bucket. Use warm water to rinse the dish soap water from the stain in the sink.
Step 6. Wash clothes as usual
After rinsing the fabric, wash it in the washing machine. Use regular laundry detergent and the hottest water setting appropriate for the fabric type. After washing, dry as usual.
