How To Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket? [Step By Step]
Paint stains on clothes usually come from acrylic, latex, spray, water-based, or oil-based paints. Removing them from a waterproof jacket can be anywhere from easy to hard. It all depends on the type of stain and also on how old it is.
Waterproof jackets have nylon, polyester, polyurethane, and other such fabrics as the top layer. Some of them have an inner lining of waterproof breathable membrane Gore-Tex, as well.
The water resistance of such waterproof layers leads to flaking off and easy removal of the water-based paint at times.
On the downside, one has to be quite careful when choosing a cleaner or reagent for old oil-based stains. This is so because strong solvents like bleach can easily ruin the waterproofing properties of the jacket.
With oil-based stains that have been sitting on your jacket for a long time, you probably would need to invest extra time and energy.
However, it is not entirely impossible to lift off the most stubborn of paint stains. All you need is the right reagents and the right techniques.
How To Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket?
Before trying to remove the stain, you must be certain about the paint type. If you can, know what base the paint contains. At times, the directions on the paint container mention what solvent can be used to dissolve the paint.
- Make sure the solvent is compatible with the fabric of the waterproof jacket.
- Always apply solvent in a minimal amount so that it doesn’t harm the fabric.
Below listed are 4 effective ways to remove paint from waterproof jacket:
- Using Dawn dish Soap
- Using Rubbing alcohol
- Using Turpentine
- Using Goof off
1. Dawn Dish Soap to Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket
Stains from most water-based paints come off simply by using quality dishwashing soap like Dawn. Dawn contains solvents like phenoxy isopropanol, surfactants, cleaning agents, etc. It remains gentle, on the fabric, and lessens the chance of any adverse reaction with the fabric.
This liquid can work well for removing spray paint and oil-based paint stains as well. It breaks the oil present in the paint and lets the water penetrate it.
It is commonly used to clean paint brushes stained with oil paints. Therefore, if the oil-based paint hasn’t been cured already, Dawn can pull off such a stain from the waterproof jacket as well.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the working surface
- Open the jacket.
- Put the stained area on cardboard or any non-absorbent working surface.
- In case the stain has dried, take a plastic putty knife or butter knife and scrape off as much dried paint as possible.
2. Wipe the paint stain with a rag/paper towel
- Wet a clean rag or paper towel with water.
- Lift off as much paint as you can using the rag/paper towel. Beginning with the sides of the stain and working in one direction, work all the way to its center.
- Don’t rub in a circular motion as it can run the paint back into the fabric.
3. Pour and rub some diluted Dawn liquid on the stain
- Mix half part lukewarm water and half part Dawn liquid in a bowl.
- Saturate the stain with the mixture using the rag/paper towel.
- Using a medium-hard brush/old toothbrush, rub the area. You can also a sponge for the same.
- Rinse with water.
- If the stain lightens, then put the mixture once again and repeat the process.
- You might have to repeat 2-3 times.
4. Allow the wet area of the waterproof jacket to dry
- Once the stain is gone, let the fabric air dry.
Precautions
- Don’t use Dawn for old stains from oil-based paints. This will only make it harder to remove.
- Powdered detergents shouldn’t be used on a waterproof jacket.
- Do a spot test on some inconspicuous area of the jacket fabric. Make sure the mixture doesn’t discolor the fabric.
Time
Depending on how many times you have to repeat rinsing and rubbing, the whole process will take around 20 minutes.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required Items:
- Dawn dishwashing liquid: $10
- Plastic putty knife: $5
- Lint-free rag/ paper towel: $5
- Brush: $5
The total estimated cost: $25
2. How to Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket Using Rubbing alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol is the go-to solution for various types of paint stains. The reason for this being it is an excellent solvent. Rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl which can dissolve paint, making the stain very easy to clean.
It breaks down the polymer of the paint stain and also loosens the bond between the paint and the jacket fabric. Further, isopropyl alcohol also acts as a degreasing agent, which reduces the stickiness of the paint stain.
Rubbing alcohol works more effectively on stains from acrylic-based paints and latex paints. However, it also helps to remove oil-based paints, especially if the stain is not too old. For use on your waterproof jacket, 70%-90% rubbing alcohol would be safe to use.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the surface
- Lay waterproof jacket flat on the working surface.
- To make sure the paint doesn’t seep to the other side of the jacket fabric, keep a piece of cardboard or any other non-absorbent material underneath the stain.
- Saturate a cotton ball with alcohol.
2. Apply the rubbing alcohol
- Dab the paint stain with the wet cotton ball.
- Use a circular motion for more absorption.
- Using a brush gently scrub the stain working from the periphery of the stain towards the center.
3. Wipe the paint stain and check the progress
- Take a rag or paper towel, wet it with water.
- Blot the paint using a wet rag/paper towel and wipe it completely.
- Check if the paint is coming off your jacket and onto the rag/paper towel.
- Keep using a clean rag/paper towel for effective blotting. This also prevents smearing of the paint.
- If the stain remains, again pour the alcohol on the stain and repeat the process.
- For a stronger effect, you can let the alcohol sit for 5 minutes before brushing and wiping it away.
4. Clean the waterproof jacket
- Wash the waterproof jacket as per the instructions on the label.
- Alternatively, you can only treat the affected area with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Just pour the 1:1 mixture of liquid and water on the area and rinse off.
- Allow the fabric to dry.
Precautions
- Make sure you remove the alcohol completely before wearing the jacket.
- Alcohol shouldn’t be used on fabrics like acetate and acrylic. It can result in discoloration.
- Don’t use latex gloves while handling rubbing alcohol, as alcohol can dissolve latex. Nitrile gloves would be a safe choice.
- Similar alternatives:
- You can also use your hairspray if it mentions alcohol as a constituent.
- Use denatured alcohol in case rubbing alcohol doesn’t work. Apply using a brush, let it sit for around 2 minutes then rinse off. Repeat 2-3 times until the stain vanishes.
- If you wish you can maintain the DWR (durable water repellency) of your waterproof jacket, using waterproofing spray like Rust-Oleum 278146 Shield H2O. Apply only after the fabric has dried. Wait for 24 hours before wearing the jacket.
Time
The whole process will take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required Items:
- Rubbing alcohol: $5
- Cotton balls: $5
- Lint-free rag: $5
- Brush: $5
- Dawn dishwashing liquid (optional): $10
The total estimated cost: $30
3. Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket Using Turpentine
For attacking rigid oil-based paints stains, turpentine can prove quite helpful. Turpentine is a colorless and oily distillation product that comes from pine trees. It is a commonly used paint thinner.
Because of its excellent paint loosening ability, it is also used for cleaning paintbrushes. Turpentine works best on acrylic-based and oil-based paints. It evaporates quickly and is unlikely to leave any spot on thick waterproof jacket fabric.
Turpentine is an excellent solvent for a variety of oils, waxes, and resins that paint might contain. And even if the paint stain has cured, turpentine will work effectively on it.
However, it can also dissolve substances such as rubber and plastics like PU, LDPE, etc. So if your jacket fabric contains any of them, avoid using turpentine.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Place paper towel underneath the stained part of the waterproof jacket
- Take the jacket outdoors and choose a working surface.
- Put a generous amount of paper towels on the working surface. They will help absorb the excess solvent and paint.
- Turn the jacket inside out and lay it flat so that the stained area lies face down on the paper towels. The backside of the stain should be above.
2. Apply turpentine on the backside of the stained area
- Open the container of turpentine and soak a cotton ball in it.
- Gently rub the soaked cotton on the backside of the stain. This will transfer some of the paint from within the fabric fibers to the paper towels underneath.
- Keep repositioning the paper towels so that fresh paper can absorb the paint.
3. Apply turpentine on the paint stain
- After generous rubbing from the backside wet the cotton ball with turpentine again.
- Rub it on the stain working from the edges towards the center.
- Using a brush, scrub the paint stain in the same motion.
- Wipe the paint using a paper towel.
- Repeat step 3 to lift as much paint as you can.
4. Wash the jacket
- Wait for 3-4 hours until the turpentine evaporates completely.
- Launder the jacket according to the instructions given on the tag.
Precautions
- If your paint stain is latex-based, then avoid using turpentine or any other paint thinner. It will make the stain tacky.
- Make sure you do a patch test on a hidden spot before carrying out the method.
- Avoid using water on oil-based paint stains before they’re removed completely. Else the paint will become gummy and tacky.
- Don’t throw the jacket in the dryer before all the paint is removed. The heat might permanently set the leftover oil-based paint on the fabric.
- If needed, use waterproofing spray like Rust-Oleum 278146 Shield H2O on the affected area to reinforce the DWR of your jacket.
Time
The whole procedure might take around 5-6 hours.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required Items:
- Turpentine: $10
- Cotton balls: $5
- Brush: $5
- Paper towels: $10
The total estimated cost: $30
4. How To Remove Paint from Waterproof Jacket Using Goof Off?
Goof off is generally used as an adhesive remover. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents like ethylbenzene, acetone, alcohol, xylene, etc.
Being composed of a variety of solvents, it can extract the different types of paint stains. It cuts through the grease. Moreover, it doesn’t leave any residue behind.
This method is appropriate if your paint stain is latex or oil-based. This is the strongest method out of all on the list. It should only be used to tackle very rigid stains which are resistant to dish soap, alcohol, or paint thinner.
Required Items
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Prepare the surface
- Spread the waterproof jacket outdoors on some suitable working surface.
- Keep the paint area exposed.
- Make sure the paint doesn’t seep to the other side. You can keep a piece of cardboard or any non-absorbent material below the paint stain.
2. Apply Goof off on the paint stain
- Open the Goof off container.
- Dip the cotton swab in the liquid.
- Gently apply the liquid over the paint stain.
- Make sure the liquid doesn’t come in direct contact with the jacket fabric.
- Let it sit for around a minute on the paint stain.
3. Wash off the stained part of the waterproof jacket
- Blot the Goof off liquid and loosened paint using a paper towel.
- If needed, again apply the liquid using a cotton swab.
- After blotting the area completely, wipe it down using an absorbent rag.
- Wash the jacket fabric as per the directions or treat the area using Dawn dish soap.
- Allow your waterproof jacket to dry naturally.
Precautions
- As Goof off gives out a strong odor, make sure you use it outdoor or in a well-ventilated place.
- Avoid skin contact with Good off.
- Keep the product away from high temperatures or heat.
- Don’t put your waterproof jacket in the dryer before lifting the paint completely.
- Sprays like Rust-Oleum 278146 Shield H2O will help you to maintain the waterproofing of the affected area.
Time
It might take around half an hour to finish the process.
Cost
The Approximate cost of required Items:
- Goof off: $15
- Cotton swab sticks: $10
- Lint-free rag: $5
- Paper towel: $5
The total estimated cost: $35
Final Words:
Removing paint stains from a waterproof jacket is easier with the right cleaner. Wrong solvent can smear the stain and damage the jacket fabric.
- Dawn dish soap is a popular cleanser for cloth stains. It cleans water-based paint stains without being harsh on the waterproof fabric.
- Rubbing alcohol is a safe option for waterproof fabrics which clears a variety of paint stains such as latex, oil, or acrylic. But it shouldn’t be used if your jacket fabric contains acetate.
- Turpentine is a common paint thinner for oil-based paints. It breaks down the paint making it very easy to blot or wipe. It is equally effective for acrylic-based or spray paint stains.
- Goof off should be the last resort to remove old oil-based or latex paints stains. It is a heavy-duty cleaner and degreaser. It should only be applied in little amounts over the paint layer.
Always choose the most suitable method as per the paint type. Once the stain vanishes, you can use DWR treatment, just to make sure the affected area is still waterproof.
