*Sob, Sob* Paint On New Pants!

Sob, Sob Paint On New Pants!

Ingunn

What to do?! I sat on a bench that I thought was dry, but it turned out I was wrong. Now I have small traces of light grey paint on my navy cropped pants. Bo hoo, what to do?

The paint is dry and oil based. Is there any hope at all?

12 years ago

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Anonymous

I am so sorry. What is the fabric composition?
( Trying to see if the content would withstand a paint thinner)

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, sorry - it's 97% cotton, 3% elastan.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I would first try rubbing the oil paint with an oil - mineral oil or baby oil. That hopefully will reactivate the paint so you can get the pigments out. Then, you will have an oil stain on the pants, which will look horrible. Next use a degreaser like dish soap to get the oil out.

Worth a shot! I hope it works.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Ok, Ceit - thanks! I agree, it won't get worse. I didn't know that was an option.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

try mineral spirits first, if that doesnt work try pure acetone. Good luck.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Yeah if the oil doesn't work, try mineral spirits, but in my experience, those are harder to get out of cloth than paint is (and you have to be super careful with them).

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

there is a site called "how stuff works" and they have a list of paint type, fabric and possible solutions. I would try that and see what they recommend. Try it quickly as my understanding is the longer it sits, the harder it will be to get out. I have used DW40 to get all sorts of paint, crayon etc out of carpets. that might work?

12 years ago

Anonymous

Ack, a paint thinner would likely ruin it, the thinner would likely get the dye out with the paint. Cotton is so unfriendly to stains.
I would try an oil based soap, raw (no water) first. We have something called Murphy soap here in the US. Let it pool on top of the stain for a bit, then wipe off and repeat. I am pretty sure it will lift off the stain.

12 years ago

Anonymous

and don't add water to the stain for any reason.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, you are all so helpful! I will try the mineral oil if we have any ready at hand. I think we have some old fashioned soap, too.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I hope it works. I'm sorry!

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I hope so, too - your empathy is much appreciated. None of the above advice was known to me, and I'm very grateful. I'll keep you posted.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Ingunn!!! Hugs!! I hope one of these methods works.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yikes - good luck!

12 years ago

Anonymous

Well, the good news is that the paint is likely to be sitting on top of the fabric, since I don't think the material would absorb it, oil paint is too thick. You just need something to lift it up.

12 years ago

ruthe

Active Member

Bless your heart. Hope something proves successful.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

No tips, but good luck!

12 years ago

Anonymous

Ingunn, I am sorry I keep on posting but I cannot edit my posts... so weird.

If you end up using the oil, the best way to lift that oil stain from cotton, is to put talc or starch over it, leave for a day or so and launder ... or my favorite, take a piece of tissue paper, layer on top of the fabric and iron it. The grease will transfer from the fabric to the paper.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Zap!

12 years ago

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