How to Get Spray Paint Off Skin

Co-authored by Andres Matheu

Last Updated: December 23, 2022 Approved

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When working on projects that require the use of spray paint, it can be tough to avoid getting some on your skin. Paint thinners and chemical solvents may effectively remove spray paint, but they can also cause severe skin irritation and damage. Instead of relying on these heavy-duty fixes, you should turn to your own cupboards and look for something a little gentler yet just as effective. Remove spray paint by applying oil to your skin and then washing it off. You can also make a homemade paint remover with just a few common ingredients.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Basic Household Items

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1
Rub olive oil or vegetable oil onto your skin. Hold your hands over a sink and pour a generous amount of olive or vegetable oil into your palms. Rub your hands together thoroughly and focus on working away at the paint. Turn on the water with your elbow and continue rubbing your hands underneath the running water. If the paint isn’t coming off, squirt some hand soap into your palm and continue rubbing.
- To avoid making a mess, it may be best to do this in the shower if the spray paint is anywhere other than your hands and/or arms.
2
Use purification essential oil instead of vegetable oil. Get a purification essential oil, which is a blend of multiple oils typically used to eliminate odor. Drop a few drops of the oil blend directly onto your skin where the spray paint is. Massage the oil into the painted skin, and you should notice the paint starting to thin. Continue rubbing until the paint is gone.^{[1]
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- Be careful not to touch your eyes when your hands have essential oils on them, as this may cause stinging and irritation.
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Get a generic cooking spray and spray it all over the painted area of your skin. Rub the affected area and the paint should come right off. Rinse your hands in the sink to get the oil and any remaining paint off.^{[2]
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4
Lather with dish soap. After thoroughly rubbing oil into your skin, squirt some grease-cutting liquid dish soap, such as Dawn, into your hands. As you lather, focus on rubbing the soap on any skin that still has paint on it.^{[3]
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- If you were using a water-based paint, soap and water is probably all you'll need to get the paint off of your skin.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Andres Matheu
  Commercial Painter
  
  Expert Interview. 28 July 2020.}
5
Rinse the soap off of your skin. Once your skin is covered in suds, turn on the sink and place your hands under. Rub your hands together while you rinse the soap off completely. Then pat your skin dry with a hand towel.
- If you’ve gotten spray paint somewhere other than your hands or arms, rinse the soap off in the shower.
Take a close look at your skin after you’re done rinsing. If you still see traces of spray paint on your skin, reapply the oil and then wash your skin with dish soap again.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Homemade Paint Remover

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Measure out ½ cup (118.3 mL) of baking soda and ½ cup (118.3 mL) of coconut oil and put them in a bowl. Add in 6 drops of lemon essential oil and mix everything together with a spoon until it has a smooth, paste-like consistency.^{[6]
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2
Rub and scrub the mixture onto your skin underneath running water. Turn on the sink or shower and scoop out some of the mixture. Place your hands underneath the water and start rubbing at the painted areas of skin.^{[7]
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- If you have spray paint on your fingernails, scrub the paint off with a new toothbrush.
Rinse off as much of the mixture as you can, and then wash the skin with a hand or body soap to get it off entirely. After rinsing the soap off, pat your skin dry with a hand towel. This should leave your skin paint-free and soft.

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Question

What takes spray paint off of skin?

Andres Matheu
Commercial Painter
Andres Matheu is the Owner of Hömm Certified Painting Systems, an Interior and Exterior Residential painting business based in the Washington, DC Metro area. Andres specializes in interior and exterior residential painting, color consultations, cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, and epoxy flooring among other services. An EPA Lead-safe Certified Firm, Hömm Certified Painting Systems has been awarded the Best of Houzz 2019 Service, Angie's List Super Service Award 2019, and Northern Virginia Magazine's 2018 Best Home Experts (painters) award.

Andres Matheu

Commercial Painter

Expert Answer

If it's water-based paint, all you need to use is soap and water. If it's oil-based, you can use a special product that's friendlier to your skin than solvents. If you do have to use a solvent in an emergency, apply it, then rinse it off immediately.

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How long does it take to get spray paint off of skin?

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Although it is not very good for your skin, nail polish remover will take the spray paint off almost immediately.

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I got spray paint on my foot yesterday and it is still there. Is this bad?

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No. It will come off eventually.

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Things You'll Need

Removing the Paint with Oils

Oil (olive, vegetable, essential, or cooking spray)
Water
Liquid dish soap
Hand towel

Using a Homemade Paint Remover

Coconut oil
Baking soda
Lemon oil
Water
Toothbrush
Soap
Hand towel

Tips

You can buy commercial cleaners that are specifically formulated for removing oil paint from skin.^{[8]
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Andres Matheu
Commercial Painter

Expert Interview. 28 July 2020.}

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Warnings

Avoid using solvents like alcohol or paint thinner on your skin.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Andres Matheu
Commercial Painter

Expert Interview. 28 July 2020.}

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