It is a truth universally acknowledged that faux leather is made of fabric and acrylic paint. But what will you do when the latter has been spilled on it?
Is your faux leather doomed to be stained forever, or can it be saved from an undesired fate? In this article, I will explore how to remove acrylic paint from faux leather.
So, how do you remove acrylic paint from faux leather: You can use the following methods below to remove acrylic paint from faux leather;
- Using The Scraping Method: This method is best for removing dried acrylic paint from faux leather goods.
- Toothbrush And Soap Solution Method: This method is best for removing super dry acrylic paint from faux leather goods.
- Using Mild Dish Soap Method: This method is best for removing wet acrylic paint from faux leather items.
To learn the details on how to remove acrylic paint from faux leather using the above-mentioned methodologies, please continue reading this article.
I will also highlight the pros and cons of the methods on how to remove acrylic paint from your faux leather items so that you know in advance what you’re getting yourself into.
Acrylic Paint On Faux Lether
To be able to know how to remove acrylic paint from faux leather, it is important to understand what acrylic paint is and what its ingredients are.
Acrylic paint is an emulsion of water, color pigments, and acrylic polymers. Acrylics are water-based, but they become water-resistant when dry.
One interesting thing about acrylic paint is that the amount of water you use to dilute it can make it appear like watercolor, gouache, or even oil painting.
For example, if you dilute acrylic paint with a lot of water, the result after it splashes or pours on the surface of your faux leather items will look like watercolor.
One of the biggest advantages of acrylic paint is that they are fast-drying, making it a favorite material among artists.
However, these characteristics of acrylic paint can also be a bane to faux leather owners. When this type of paint spills on your faux leather garment, it dries very quickly and becomes water-resistant.
Meaning that acrylic paint that has dried has already dried will be very difficult to remove from faux leather especially with water and soap.
So in this case, your best bet will be to completely let the acrylic paint completely dry over the surface of the faux leather then use other methods – which I will discuss later in the article.
Details On How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Faux Leather
Now that we understand some of the main properties of acrylic paint and how it’s going to affect its removal process from materials like faux leather, let’s go over the different ways on how to remove acrylic paint from faux leather.
1. Using The Scraping Method (Best For Removing Dried Acrylic Paint)
The scraping method is a safe bet if the acrylic paint has already dried over the surface of your faux leather.
As the name implies, this method essentially involves scraping the acrylic paint from the surface of your faux leather items with something blunt to remove all the paint residue as much as you can.
Here is how to use this method to remove acrylic paint from your faux leather goods;
Things Needed:
- A blunt and hard object (Spatula)
- Lint-Free Towel Or Rag
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by removing any loose acrylic paint residue from the faux leather by using a lint-free cloth.
- You can use your hand to also pull out any loose paint, but it is important to be careful not to damage the material you are working on.
Step 2:
- Once you have removed all the loose acrylic paint residue, use the blunt object to scrape off the remaining paint.
- Make sure to use a blunt tool. Do not use anything sharp.
- Also, be sure not to use a lot of pressure when scraping the paint from the faux leather item.
- Be as gentle as possible so that you do scratch your faux leather.
Step 3:
- Continue until you have gotten rid of all the acrylic paint residue.
Step 4:
- Once you have scrapped all the acrylic paint from your faux leather, dampen your lint-free rag with clean water and then use it to wipe the entire surface of your faux leather item.
- This step is necessary to remove any paint residue that has been left behind by the scraping process.
Step 5:
- Once your faux leather is free from all acrylic paint, leave it to air-dry before reusing.
The Pros Of This Method:
- It is not messy
- You can use this method without having any form of tools
- This method is very safe for faux leather
- It also removes acrylic paint residue effectively
The Cons Of This Method:
- You need a lot of patience to remove.
- You can scratch your faux leather if you’re not super careful.
2. Toothbrush And Soap Solution Method (Best For Removing Super Dry Acrylic Paint)
I like to call this the toothbrush and soap solution method. This is one of my favorite methods when it comes to removing super dried acrylic paint from faux leather if using the blunt tool isn’t working.
It is an effective method to use especially if your acrylic paint has already dried and it strongly adhered to the faux leather item.
Here is how it’s done;
Things Needed:
- A toothbrush (Soft-bristled)
- Dish Soap Solution (Just a few drops. Nothing more.)
- A lint-free cloth or rag
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by mixing 2-3 drops of dish soap into a bowl of warm water and mix.
- Be sure to only use a few drops (about the size of your pinky’s nail) because too much dish soap can lead to the leather dye bleeding.
Step 2:
- Peel off as much of the dried acrylic paint as you can using the blunt tool method.
- Steps are similar to what was discussed in number one. Refer back here if need be.
Step 3:
- Once you have removed as much dried acrylic paint as possible, dip your toothbrush into the dish soap solution and then use it to scrub the surface of your faux leather item where the acrylic paint is still stuck.
- Be sure to scrub the area gently and don’t add too much pressure when brushing.
- Also, you want to scrub in a circular motion.
- Go back and dip the toothbrush into the soap solution from time to time as you work on those stubborn areas.
Step 4:
- Once all of the acrylic paint is gone, use a damp clean cloth to wipe the entire surface of your faux leather item.
- This will remove any acrylic paint residue and soap residue that may have been left behind by the brushing process.
Step 5:
- Dry off the surface of the faux leather using a dry clean cloth or towel.
Step 6:
- Now, leave the faux leather item to gradually air-dry.
The Pros Of This Method:
- It is safe for faux leather
- For removing acrylic paint no matter how long it has dried on the faux leather.
The Cons Of This Method:
- Requires a lot of time.
- It may scratch your faux leather slightly if too much pressure is applied.
3. Using Mild Dish Soap Method (Best For Removing Wet Acrylic Paint)
One of the safest ways to remove acrylic paint from faux leather is simply waiting for the paint to dry and then peeling it right off.
However, you would not always have all day in order to wait for the paint to dry before you start cleaning it.
So you can use the mild dish soap method in this case.
Things Needed:
- Mild Dish Soap
- Warm Water (Distilled or Clean/Filtered)
- Soft Cloth Or Sponge
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Prepare your work area and gather all the items you need.
- Mix a tablespoonful of dish soap into a cup of warm water.
- Mix the dish soap and distilled or clean/filtered water inside a container until it forms bubbles.
Step 2:
- Start by blotting all the wet paint from your faux leather with paper towels or a clean, lint-free cloth.
- Use the cloth of paper towel to absorb as much of the paint as possible.
- Make sure you do not wipe or move the paint around. Instead, gently blot to remove the wet paint.
- Steps:
- You want to do this as soon as you see the paint spill or stains on the faux leather.
Step 3:
- After you have blotted all the excess paint from your faux leather, dampen a clean cloth or sponge with the soapy water you have prepared earlier.
- Use this to wipe off any paint residue left behind by the paper towel.
- Be careful not to use too much pressure when wiping down your faux leather item.
- Move the cloth or sponge in a circular motion for better results.
- You do not want to end up leaving behind any watermarks or streaks on the surface of your faux leather.
Step 4:
- Once all the acrylic paint residue has been removed, wash the microfiber cloth in clean water, wring it out before using it to dry your faux leather item.
Step 5:
- Now leave your faux leather to dry thoroughly.
The Pros Of This Method:
- It is a reliable method of removing acrylic paint from faux leather
- This method is very safe for faux leather
The Cons Of This Method:
- It will not work once the paint has already dried.
- You need to work really fast.
- Hence it can get very messy.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from this blog post, there are various challenges acrylic paint can pose on your faux leather due to the quality of the acrylic paint being waterproof when dry.
But with the right tools, materials, and techniques shared in this article, you will not have any problems removing acrylic paint from faux leather in no time.
