Acrylic paint is a popular type of paint that can be used for a variety of purposes.
However, if it gets on your leather shoes or any other leather material, it can be difficult to remove.
In this article, we will explore some methods that you can use to get acrylic paint off leather shoes.
How to Get Wet Acrylic Paint Off Leather?
Whether you’re applying acrylic paint on your leather or have it spilled on your leather accidentally, getting wet acrylic paint off your leather surface is pretty easy.
Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to get rid of wet acrylic paint from your leather.
Step 1: Quickly but Gently Wipe Off the Wet Acrylic Paint
Once you’ve got wet acrylic paint on your leather, quickly use a paper towel, tissue paper, or dry soft cloth to wipe it off gently.
These are absorbent materials and should soak up the wet acrylic paint. This should get the acrylic paint off as long as it’s still wet.
You can also use any other absorbent materials. It doesn’t matter if it’s a drop or spill of acrylic paint, this method is effective.
But wipe the paint gently in such a way that it doesn’t smear or spread onto other clean parts of the leather.
To prevent smearing, start cleaning the acrylic paint off the leather gradually using the tip of the paper towel.
Once you’ve taken off much of the paint, you can remove the remaining paint using other parts of the paper towel. Do this continuously until the paint is gone.
Depending on the type of leather, the paint stains may penetrate deeper into the leather. If this is the case, you need to use special wet wipes to get rid of the stains. Get the type of wipes that work well with acrylic paints and leather.
Avoid hygienic wet wipes as much as possible because they contain citric and malic acid, which can damage your leather material.
If after carrying out the above step you still noticed some paint stains on the leather surface, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Remove Paint Stains with Water and Mild Soap Solution
Any stains from acrylic paint that remains after the step above can be removed using a solution of warm water and any mild soaps.
In a bowl, add mild liquid soap to warm water to make a solution. Douse a towel or soft sponge in the solution, wring out the excess water, and wipe the stains with the towel or sponge.
Since acrylic paint is water-soluble when wet, this method should get rid of the paint stain. If the stain is much, rinse the towel or sponge in the solution, wring out excess water, and wipe again. Do this repeatedly until all the stains on the leather surface are gone completely.
Make sure to use mild soaps as soaps with harsh chemicals may damage the leather. Depending on how strong the leather is, a strong sponge or stiff-bristled brush may be harmful.
Step 3: Dry Off Residual Moisture with a Towel
Don’t leave the residual moisture on the leather after you’re done removing the paint stains. Use a microfiber towel to clean off the moisture left on the leather.
Otherwise, the residual moisture can make the leather peel, crack, or blister.
Step 4: Re-nourish the cleaned surface (optional)
Chances are that you would have tampered with your leather’s protective layer during the process of removing the paint stains.
So, I recommend that you treat and re-nourish the surface of the leather with a conditioning product.
Apply the conditioning product on the leather surface with a clean, dry cloth or with your fingers. Leave the conditioning product on the leather surface for a few hours to dry.
Once the conditioning product gets dried, it means the leather has absorbed the needed amounts. Clean off the excess layer of conditioning product with a clean microfiber towel. Treating the leather with a good leather conditioner enhances the texture and color of the leather as well as protects it from future spills and damage.
How to Remove Dry Acrylic Paint From Leather?
Acrylic paint is water-resistant when dry. Hence, removing dry acrylic paint from leather follows a different process from removing wet acrylic paint.
Also, the process is not simple because the acrylic paint has already bonded to and colored the leather surface.
These methods should remove the dry acrylic paint from the leather surface.
Step 1: Apply Olive Oil
Apply some drops of olive oil on the dry acrylic paint surface. Make sure that the olive oil makes a generous layer over the entire surface of the dry acrylic paint. Don’t apply too much olive oil that can soak up your leather.
With your fingertip, gently massage the olive oil into the dry paint in a circular motion. If the dry acrylic paint has a thick layer, it’s better to use a brush to work the olive oil into the dry paint. This will enable the olive oil to penetrate deeper.
Leave the olive oil on the paint for a few minutes to allow the paint to soak up the oil. This should soften the dry acrylic paint, break it down, and make its removal easier.
Wipe a clean dry towel over the leather to remove the dry acrylic paint, starting from small spots of paint to large ones.
Depending on how thick the dry acrylic paint is, you may need to wipe the leather several times to remove the paint.
If necessary, rinse the cloth at intervals as you wipe the leather clean. Avoid using any sharp objects to remove the dry paint. You can damage your leather by doing so.
If this method doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Use A Mixture of Lemon Juice and Warm Water
This is also effective at removing dry acrylic paint from leather surfaces. Add fresh lemon juice to warm water and mix. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it well.
Spray the mixture lightly on the dry acrylic paint. Be careful not to spray other unstained parts of the leather.
Allow some minutes for the dry paint to absorb the mixture. The mixture should weaken the bond between the paint and leather due to its acidity.
After that, use a towel to rub the paint surface – you will need to apply some effort, especially if the paint has been long dried.
Once you’ve removed the acrylic paint successfully, use a clean dry cloth to wipe the mixture off the leather.
If you leave the mixture for too long, it can have a bleaching effect on the leather.
If this method also doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Use Rubbing Alcohol
This is very effective at removing dry acrylic paint from leather surfaces. Rubbing alcohol is known to break down the bonds of the polymer that binds the dry acrylic paint onto the leather.
Dampen a cotton swab or towel with some amount of rubbing alcohol. Gently rub the dried paint with the dampened cotton swab or towel. Rub continuously until you remove all the dried acrylic paint.
After that, wipe the paint stain clean with a dry cloth. Though this method is faster and easier, you should only apply it when the stains persist after using olive oil. Avoid using acetone on your leather because it can damage the leather or cause discoloration.
After cleaning off the dried paint, you may choose to condition/re-nourish your leather.
Other Ways to Remove Dried Acrylic Paint from Leather
In case the above methods don’t work, you can also try these other ways:
1. Use Nail Polish Remover
This is an effective way to remove dry acrylic paint from leather surfaces. However, take note that most nail polish removers contain acetone, which can damage leather if not used properly. Hence, this method should only be used as a last resort.
Soak a cotton swab in nail polish remover and rub it on the dried acrylic paint. The acetone in the nail polish remover will help break down the bonds of the polymer that binds the paint to the leather surface.
You should see the paint transferring to the cotton swab.
Wipe off the leather with a clean dry cloth after removing the dried acrylic paint.
Avoid using this method too often as it can damage your leather in the long run.
2. Use A Mixture of Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is another effective way to remove dried acrylic paint from leather surfaces. The acidity in the vinegar will help break down the bonds of the polymer that binds the paint to the leather surface.
Create a paste by mixing an equal amount of vinegar and baking soda. Apply the paste onto the dried acrylic paint with a brush or your fingertip.
Gently rub the paste into the dried paint in a circular motion until you see the paint coming off.
Wipe the leather clean with a damp cloth and dry it with a clean towel.
3. Use A Mixture of Olive Oil and Baking Soda
This is also an effective way to remove dried acrylic paint from leather surfaces. The olive oil will help loosen the bonds of the polymer that binds the paint to the leather surface.
Create a paste by mixing an equal amount of olive oil and baking soda. Apply the paste onto the dried acrylic paint with a brush or your fingertip.
Gently rub the paste into the dried paint in a circular motion until you see the paint coming off.
Wipe the leather clean with a damp cloth and dry it with a clean towel.
4. Use Razor Blade to Scrape off Paint
This is the last resort method as it can damage your leather if not done carefully.
Use a razor blade held at a 45-degree angle to scrape off the dried acrylic paint from the leather surface.
Do this gently so you don’t end up damaging the leather.
Wipe the leather clean with a damp cloth and dry it with a clean towel.
Conclusion
It is possible to remove wet and dried acrylic paint from leather surfaces by using various methods such as nail polish remover, vinegar and baking soda paste, olive oil and baking soda paste, or a razor blade.
However, some of these methods can damage the leather if not done properly. It is best to try out different methods until you find one that works without damaging the leather.
After removing the paint, it is advisable to condition/re-nourish the leather.
