Easy DIY Ways to Strip Paint from Plastic Materials

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Plus, which cleaners are safest for your type of paint and plastic
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Because plastic is a nonporus, smooth material, it’s easy to remove paint from its surface. Whether you accidentally spilled paint on plastic furniture or you’re trying to strip the paint off a model, we’ve got all the best ways to return your item back to its original condition. Before using any solvent, make sure to test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t damage the plastic. Keep reading to learn how to remove fresh or dried paint from any plastic surface.

Best Way to Remove Paint from Plastic

Apply ammonia or denatured alcohol on water-based latex or acrylic paint, or mineral spirits or paint thinner on oil-based paints. Test your solvent in an unseen area, then apply it to the painted part with a cotton ball. Rub until the paint is gone. Place small items in a container with the solvent for 1 to 3 hours.

Section 1 of 4:

Scraping the Paint Off

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  1. Plastic paint scrapers are great for flat surfaces because they have a nice, straight edge that won’t scratch your surface easily. [1] Your fingernail may work better for curved surfaces, such as toys and models. Hold the scraping tool at a slight angle and gently push it under the painted surface.
  2. If the plastic surface is small, like a miniature or a piece of decor, let it soak in a container with warm, soapy water for at least 20 minutes. If the surface is large, apply vegetable oil to the painted area, lay a piece of plastic wrap over it, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, try scraping the paint off again. [2]
    • Alternatively, soak the plastic in hot water with equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Then, scrape off the paint. [3]
    • Once you’re done, wipe the residue with a damp cloth and let the item dry completely.
    • If the paint still doesn’t come off, you may have to use a paint stripper or solvent to loosen it.
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Section 2 of 4:

Applying a Paint Stripper or Solvent

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  1. Water-based paints (like latex or acrylic) tend to have a duller sheen and fade over time, while oil-based paints are glossier and yellow as they age. [4] If you’re not sure what type of plastic an item is made of, try to match its appearance and feel to a plastic below. [5]
    • ABS plastic: Very rigid and comes in a variety of colors. Often used for car and motorcycle parts.
    • Acrylic (Plexiglass): Strong, stiff, and transparent glass-like material.
    • Polyethylene: Low-density is thin enough to crumble (like grocery bags), high-density is translucent or milky white (like milk or juice cartons).
    • Nylon: Soft and easily malleable. Often used for guitar strings, cleaning brushes, clothing, and paint brushes.
    • Polypropylene: Bendable but stiff, strong, and more heat-resistant than other plastics.
    • Plasticized PVC (vinyl chloride): One of the most widely used plastics, but is health-hazardous. [6] Used to create shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, medical equipment, and pipes. [7]
    • Polycarbonate: Strong, stiff, transparent, and impact-resistant material. Commonly used for water bottles, plastic dinnerware, and other hard food and drink containers. [8]
  2. If the paint is latex or acrylic, Professional painter James Guth says “you could use ammonia or you could use a denatured alcohol .” However, “If it's an oil [paint,] then you will have to use something like mineral spirits or paint thinner .” [9] Acetone and denatured alcohol may also be effective for taking paint off of hard plastic or small models. [10]
  3. Some types of plastics may react poorly to some solvents. To see if a solvent will harm your item, pick up a drop of your solvent with a soft paintbrush or cotton swab and place it onto an inconspicuous area on your item. Wait a few minutes, then rinse the solvent off. [18]
    • If nothing happens to the plastic, the solvent may be safe to use. Keep in mind that some solvents may need hours before they have an adverse effect on your item.
    • If the plastic changes color or texture, or if it indents when you press your fingernail into the surface, use a different solvent.
    • Wear gloves and a respirator mask to protect your skin and lungs from the chemicals.
  4. Soak a cotton ball or tissue with your solution, then rub it across the painted area until the paint comes off. [19] If the cotton ball or tissue is not working, pour a small amount whatever solvent you choose over the painted area and scrub it with a stiff natural brush .
    • Keep applying the solvent and scrubbing or rubbing the area with new cotton balls until the paint comes off.
    • Try to avoid using nylon brushes. The bristles may melt when using chemicals like acetone. [20]
    • Wash the item with soap and water to make sure all the solvent is gone, then dry it.
  5. Place your item into a container, then fill the container with enough of your solvent to submerge the item. Leave the item for 1 to 3 hours, then pull the item out. Scrub the paint off with a stiff-bristled toothbrush brush. [21] Clean the item with soap and water afterwards, then let it dry.
    • If there’s still residue on the item, dip a cotton ball into the solvent and rub at the area again.
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Section 3 of 4:

Using Soapy Water to Remove Fresh Paint

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  1. Fill a bucket with warm water, then add a few pumps of dish soap into it. Make sure that the item is completely submerged. If you need to, rotate the item to get the other side wet, too. Use your fingers or a sponge to rub the paint off while the item is submerged.
    • Rinse the area with fresh water to remove any leftover suds or paint.
    • Try not to soak electronics or items that may get ruined if they get wet.
    • Let the item dry completely in a well-ventilated area or pat it dry with a towel.
  2. Soak a sponge in a mixture of dish soap and warm water. If the item is electronic, then squeeze out the excess water. Otherwise, just wipe the paint off with the soaked sponge. Repeat until the paint is all gone. [22]
    • To clean an electronic item, unplug it and remove any batteries. Spot-clean the area with a soapy sponge. When you’re done, rinse the sponge out, squeeze out the excess water, and use it to wipe the reside off.
    • Rinse the item with water until all the paint and soap residue disappear. For larger items, pour a bucket of water over them or rinse them with a hose.
    • Let the item air-dry or dry it with a towel. If the item is electronic, wait until it’s completely dry before re-inserting the batteries or plugging it back in.
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Section 4 of 4:

Cleaning and Restoring the Plastic Surface

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  1. After you’re done removing the paint, there may be shadows or small areas that are still stained. To keep your plastic shiny and smudge-free, spray a nonabrasive cleaner on the area and gently wipe it clean with a damp sponge or soft cloth. [23]
    • Alternatively, create a paste made out of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Apply the cleaner to the plastic and rub gently with a damp sponge.
    • To remove tougher stains, allow the baking soda mixture to sit until it dries, then wipe it off.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you get paint off of plastic?
    James Guth
    Painting Specialist
    James Guth is the co-owner and founder of Chesapeake Painting Services LLC. With over 20 years of experience, James specializes in exterior and interior painting, drywall, powerwashing, wallpaper, staining, sealing, and carpentry. James holds a BS in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Towson University
    James Guth
    Painting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If it's acrylic or latex paint, try using ammonia or denatured alcohol. For oil-based paint, use mineral spirits. Just be careful since solvents can damage certain types of plastic.
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  • Question
    How do I remove dry gloss paint from plastic floor covering?
    Community Answer
    Nail polish remover should do the trick. If you don't have any, anything with acetate should work.
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      Tips

      • Some sources recommend burning the plastic to identify its type. However, this can damage your item and burning plastic can be hazardous to your health and the environment. [24]
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      • To remove small paint drips from Plexiglass, try applying a little bit of whitening toothpaste on it. Buff the area with your finger or a paper towel until the paint is removed. [25]
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      • CitriStrip Stripping Gel is not recommended for plastic or fiberglass. [26]
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      Things You'll Need

      • Dish soap
      • Water
      • Container to fit your item
      • Sponge or rag
      • Paint scraper (optional)
      • Rubbing alcohol (91 or 99%)
      • Vegetable oil
      • WD-40
      • Goo Gone
      • Paint stripper, rubbing alcohol, or household/window cleaner
      • Container
      • Stiff-bristled toothbrush
      • Dish soap

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theweathereddoor.com/2015/03/how-to-strip-painted-or-stained-wood.html
      2. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/house-one/21285161/how-to-clean-paint-off-any-surface
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/SXfi23LoKCU?t=9
      4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/oil-based-paint-vs-water-based-paint-8383129
      5. ↑ https://www.secondlife.earth/learning-center/identify-plastic-types-how-to
      6. ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08862-1
      7. ↑ https://townofcarrboro.org/2597/Plastics---Facts-What-the-Numbers-Mean
      8. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=4248
      9. ↑ James Guth. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 21 July 2020.
      1. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/house-one/21285161/how-to-clean-paint-off-any-surface
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZJ_lv6hzB78?t=6
      3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/what-not-to-clean-with-alcohol-8550213
      4. ↑ https://www.how-to-paint-miniatures.com/miniature-painting-removing-paint.html
      5. ↑ https://www.datocms-assets.com/10845/1602175378-wd-40-mup-tds-sheet-10-5-20.pdf
      6. ↑ https://googone.com/graffiti-remover
      7. ↑ https://googone.com/latex-paint-clean-up-spray
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/1c6XRzQjIIM?t=120
      9. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/house-one/21285161/how-to-clean-paint-off-any-surface
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/9nsEvu78n3E?t=28
      11. ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/GraffitiRemoval
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/cKYh_fV5lhc?t=1012
      13. ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21019099/paint-spill-don-t-panic
      14. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/surfaces/cleaning-plastic
      15. ↑ https://www.secondlife.earth/learning-center/identify-plastic-types-how-to
      16. ↑ https://youtu.be/zuKAHnVA-9I?t=43
      17. ↑ https://citristrip.com/tutorials/citristrip-paint-varnish-stripping-gel/
      18. ↑ https://city.milwaukee.gov/GraffitiRemoval

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove dried paint from plastic, start by applying some rubbing alcohol to the paint, which will help loosen it so it's easier to scrape off. Then, hold a straight edge, like a paint scraper, your fingernail, or a flathead screwdriver, at an angle against the paint. Next, scrape the straight edge across the paint, continuing until all of the paint is gone. Finally, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any leftover paint residue. To learn how to remove fresh paint from plastic, read on!

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