Enamel paint is oil-based, so it's a little harder to remove than acrylic paints, which are water-based. If you managed to get some enamel paint off the skin, fabrics or solid objects, then the key is to act quickly. Try pressing down on a cloth with cleaner or scraping off as much ink as you can before it dries. Depending on the surface, you can use a combination of oils, thinner or even a heat gun to get the rest of the paint out. Be patient and your effort will bring results.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Removing Ink from Skin and Hair
Step 1. Apply a mixture of cooking oil and baking soda to the skin
Take a small bowl and mix one part cooking oil to one part baking soda. Dip a cloth into the mixture and rub it into the skin gently. Try rubbing by tilting the cloth and continue until the ink starts to flakes or the skin starts to get irritated.
- You can switch from cooking oil to coconut oil or olive oil.
- If the paint has already dried, use a toothbrush to brush over the mixture and scrub to get a better result.
Step 2. Apply a mixture of cooking oil and detergent to the skin
Take a small bowl and mix one part detergent to one part cooking oil. Pour this mixture into the spot with paint. Soak for a minute before starting to scrub the area until it foams. Detergent will help break down the oil particles in the paint. Rinse when finished.
Step 3. Apply cooking oil to hair to remove ink
It's very easy to end up dropping a few drops of enamel paint on your hair while you're painting something. To solve this, put a few drops of cooking oil on your fingertips. Massage the oil into all the spots on the hair where ink has fallen. Wash your hair and watch the ink come out.
If you have a lot of dye in your hair, apply more oil and put a plastic coating on the affected areas before washing
Method 2 of 4: Removing Ink from Fabrics
Step 1. Act fast when the affected area is tissue
When enamel ink dries on fabric, it integrates with the fibers and becomes much more difficult to remove. If you can't get the stain off right away, put a damp towel over it. This will at least keep the paint fresh until you can clean it.
Step 2. Let the paint soak before doing other procedures
Put the fabric on a hard surface. Run the edge of a butter sieve or spoon through the fabric, going in the same direction as the fibers on the fabric. This should remove some of the stain. Then use a clean cloth to soak the paint and remove another part. If the paint has dried, use the blunt side of a knife to scrape off what you can.
Be very careful when using the blunt side of a knife to get the ink out of the fabric or you could end up damaging the fibers. If you see any loose or loose lines, stop immediately
Step 3. Saturate the part of the fabric that is stained with ink with liquid soap
Lay the fabric taut and straight on a hard surface. Place a thin plate just below the stained area of the fabric so the soap does not run off. Use a toothbrush to apply a layer of liquid soap to the stain. Soak for five minutes. Then scrub gently using the brush.
Once the stain starts to come off, wash the fabric as indicated on the label. If you prefer, soak for 12 hours
Step 4. Wash the fabric by hand with soap and water
Mix one part warm water to one part liquid soap in a bowl. Dip a clean sponge into the mixture and leave the sponge on top of the stain. Press it against the stain lightly until the ink starts to come off.
Method 3 of 4: Removing Ink from Hard Surfaces
Step 1. Use a razor blade to chip off the paint
Position the blade so that it is almost straight on the stained surface. Slowly press and move the tip of the blade against the inked area. Keep going back and forth until the paint starts to separate and peel off.
- Be very careful when handling the razor blade or you could end up cutting yourself. Never place fingers or hand in front of the blade.
- Look after each pass to ensure you are not scratching the surface with the blade.
Step 2. Sand the paint to remove it if the stain is on a wooden object
Purchase a medium-grain sandpaper and sand the ink-stained areas. Make small circular motions to get as much paint as possible. Apply light, steady pressure. If you're concerned about damaging the wood, use even finer sandpaper and see if a mark is forming as you rub the surface.
Step 3. Smear the stain on the glass with vinegar
Mix one part water to one part white vinegar. Place mixture in microwave and heat until warm. Wet the corner of a cloth in it and rub it into the stained area of the glass. Continue wiping the cloth in a circular motion until the paint starts to peel.
Don't forget to place the mixture in a microwave-safe container
Step 4. Use thinner to remove paint from brushes
Empty and wash a glass jar. Put about 5 cm of thinner in the jar. When finished with the paint, place the brushes inside the jar and stir them. Watch the paint come loose from the bristles. Take out the brush and clean it with a cloth that could get dirty.
- When finished cleaning the brushes, cover the jar and set aside for reuse. The capped thinner lasts for several months.
- Buy thinner specially made for enamelled or oil-based paints.
Step 5. Heat the stained area with a heat gun
Buy a heat gun at a hardware or home and building store. These guns work by directing hot air into the location. Read the instructions that came with the pistol and practice handling it before plugging it into the outlet. Then turn it on and aim the hot air at the ink-stained area. Wait for the paint to heat up and use a scraper to remove it.
- Take great care when handling or using the heat gun. You could get seriously burned.
- Heat and scrape the paint into small pieces so you don't have to reheat the same area over and over again.
- Make sure the surface you are applying heat to will not be damaged by heat. For example, plastic objects will melt if you try to use the heat gun on them.
Method 4 of 4: Learn Good Practices for Removing Ink Stains
Step 1. Take necessary safety precautions
When you remove the enamel paint, it will release a dust into the air that can irritate some parts of the body. Wear a mask or gloves to minimize skin and lung irritation. If you suspect the paint contains lead, talk to an expert to find out how best to remove it.
Step 2. Read the ink label for instructions
Some enameled paints show on the packaging how to proceed with the removal of the product. Some specific paints have even been modified to look like acrylics and can be removed with water. Before starting the removal process, read the packaging or contact the manufacturer for more accurate tips.
Step 3. Take a test
Test the removal method in a hidden location before proceeding, whether on wood, glass or fabric surfaces. If you are planning to use an object to scrape, such as a spoon, scrape an area that is not lightly stained to see what happens. If passing a product or mixture, put a few drops on the area and see if it gets damaged.