That’s a good question for all oil painters out there! Especially if you’re like me and paint in an old abandoned building, in the mud, in the rain, etc.
Oil-based paint is very hard to get off your skin once it dries up on you. It takes hours of peeing to be able to get rid of this kind of paint from your body. This is because oil-based paint has gooey substances that stick to your skin tightly.
And when you try to wash it off with water alone, it just makes it more difficult since the particles come off even slower after being exposed to water.
Painting outside can cause some headaches when it comes to getting rid of dried-up oil paints on the skin. For instance, I was painting during the rain and my buddy got some paint on his arm. He tried to wash it off but failed. So he asked me for help since I’m good with this kind of stuff.
I started by using a knife (but you can use something else too) and creating an S shape on the skin where the paint was stuck on. Then apply oil-based solvent onto it and scrub it against the direction of your skin’s pores – do not create a circular motion because that just pushes the particles deeper into your skin – be careful not to cause bleeding or damage your skin!
The paint came off immediately with little effort… But there are also other ways to get dried-up oil paints off your skin…
What takes oil-based paint off skin?
Oil-based paints are a combination of oil and resin, creating a paint with excellent color retention and resistance to water damage. These types of paints have been popular for many years, but have recently become less widely used due to their high VOC content.
How do I get oil-based paint off walls?
This is a question that gets asked a lot in home renovation circles. It doesn’t matter which side you’re on when you answer this question… If your friend asks, “how do I remove oil-based paint from my wall?” And if you ask, “how do I strip oil-based paint from my walls?” You’ll likely get the same answers back either way! The good news is that removing oil-based paint is an easy process…
People who work with oil-based paints often come to realize that the paint doesn’t come off their hands so easily due to its unique mixture of solvent and resin. The following steps will detail how you can remove any traces of oil-based paint from your skin.
What’s the best way to remove oil-based paint?
First, you need to take a break from whatever project you’re currently working on because this method takes time. You should plan for at least 1 hour per coat (hardware store staff claim up to 3 hours). I haven’t seen anyone successfully do it faster than this.
It’s best if you find an old rag or t-shirt because this process tends to make quite a mess. I recommend you don’t use this method if your skin is sensitive because the rubbing will irritate it. For oil-based paint removal, you’ll need:
- One or more old rags (I like to use old t-shirts)
- A cup of mineral spirits (more on why below)
The first step is to wet down the surface of your skin with warm water. Wet skin will allow the solvent in the next step to remove the paint faster than dry skin would. When wetting your arm, be careful not to soak up too much moisture into your clothes – that could cause a damp spot when working on your clothes in later steps! If you’re wearing shoes or socks, they should remain dry.
You’ll need to pour a small number of mineral spirits (a mild solvent commonly used for paint thinning and cleaning brushes) on top of your skin – don’t drench it, but make sure you cover the entire surface. Rub vaguely in circles with one rag for at least five minutes. Then switch rags and repeat. Afterward, use a new rag to wipe off any excess solvent from your arm.
It will take some time to finish the job using this method – between 1 hour or 3 hours depending on how bad your paint is stuck! So be patient with yourself!
