How to remove paint on jacket?

Discuss technique for prolonging the life of your gear or giving it that aged look

Moderator: Dalexs

Post Reply
User avatar
Jacques
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:27 pm
Location: West of the "upside down horseshoe", Missouri

How to remove paint on jacket?

Post by Jacques »

I noticed (and I haven't got a clue how it happened) that I have a few small paint marks on the back of my jacket. Any suggestions on how to remove it without damaging the leather?
User avatar
Curtis Bessette
Dig Worker
Dig Worker
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2015 1:46 am

Re: How to remove paint on jacket?

Post by Curtis Bessette »

Jacques wrote:I noticed (and I haven't got a clue how it happened) that I have a few small paint marks on the back of my jacket. Any suggestions on how to remove it without damaging the leather?
Perhaps with acetone, or simply a paint thinner? If you are going for a distressed look, it may blend right in, though you may need to even it out to a larger diameter. Plenty of water, after the rubbing with the acetone...

Cheers,
Curtis
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10205
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: How to remove paint on jacket?

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Any idea what kind of paint, latex vs. acrylic?

Not to be overly obvious, but have you tried gently scraping it off with your fingernail? Or use a damp cloth.

I wouldn't go with any chemicals because you will strip the color off the jacket in the process.

A kitchen dish scrubber that many use to distress their jackets may work. If you can be fairly precise with the scrubbing you may get the paint off without scuffing the leather too much.

Last thought is trying to cover the paint. What color is it? Could a dyed leather lotion blend it in to be less noticeable?



Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Jacques
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 12:27 pm
Location: West of the "upside down horseshoe", Missouri

Re: How to remove paint on jacket?

Post by Jacques »

Indiana Jeff wrote:Any idea what kind of paint, latex vs. acrylic?

Not to be overly obvious, but have you tried gently scraping it off with your fingernail? Or use a damp cloth.

I wouldn't go with any chemicals because you will strip the color off the jacket in the process.

A kitchen dish scrubber that many use to distress their jackets may work. If you can be fairly precise with the scrubbing you may get the paint off without scuffing the leather too much.

Last thought is trying to cover the paint. What color is it? Could a dyed leather lotion blend it in to be less noticeable?



Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Jeff, I can't tell which kind of paint is on the jacket. I noticed it after awhile, so I don't know how it got on there and where. I was kind of squeamish scraping the paint with my fingernail, but I suppose I could try that. I could try the dish scrubber as well, if it doesn't distress it too much (I'm trying to distress it naturally...more or less :p). I saw olive oil mentioned as a solution to clean it...what about that?

Curtis, I might consider acetone or paint thinner, but I probably want to dilute it a bit so if it doesn't look as noticeable.
User avatar
ChrisMD
Staff Emeritus
Posts: 3453
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:23 pm
Location: Northern Colorado

How to remove paint on jacket?

Post by ChrisMD »

I would MUCH sooner use my fingernail than harsh chemicals. You stand an immensely lower chance of damaging your jacket with your fingernail. Think of how many times you brush against things while wearing your jacket, and most are those things are more abrasive than a fingernail.
Post Reply