Nail polish remover is a household staple for most women. Did you know that it can also be used to remove paint?
In this blog post, we will talk about how nail polish remover can remove regular paint! So, if you are looking for an easy way to remove paint from your walls, then keep reading!
Here is How Nail Polish Remover Works to Remove Paint:
Nail polish remover mainly contains acetone which is known as a powerful solvent. The acetone in nail polish helps remove and dissolve tough substances such as plasticizers, resin, and nitrocellulose in nail polish. This means it can also effectively be used as a paint thinner and remove paint.
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Can You Use Nail Polish Remover On Regular Paint?
Regular paint is often referred to as enamel.
This type of paint air-dries and creates a hard and glossy finish. It is often used for coating surfaces or objects that are meant for outdoor use or to be subjected to hard wear.
This type of paint is used for painting different surfaces like plastic, wood, copper, metal, and even walls. This type of paint is known to adhere well to pretty much any surface.
You can often remove regular paint by using turpentine or paint thinner. But it can also be removed using simple items you can find around the house.
You can use nail polish remover on regular paint.
Nail polish remover has a good amount of acetone, so it is powerful enough to remove regular paint on any surface. It works by thinning the paint and dissolving it so that you can remove it.
A moderate amount of nail polish remover for regular paint should do the trick.
Can You Use Nail Polish Remover On Oil-Based Paint?
Oil-based paint is a type of paint that is very versatile. This type of paint is commonly used by interior decorators or DIY home design enthusiasts.
You can use this type of paint on items around the house, such as exterior and interior trims, door and window trims, cabinetry, shelving, metal surfaces, and furniture. Oil-based paints are great if you want a nice glossy finish.
Compared to other types of paint, oil-based paint can be hard and frustrating to remove. This is because oil-based paint naturally repels water.
You can use nail polish remover on oil-based paint.
Since nail polish remover contains acetone, a powerful solvent, it can dissolve the oil-based paint off any surface. You can even use it to thin out oil-based paint that has dried up or become clumpy.
Can You Use Nail Polish Remover On Water-Based Paint?
Water-based paints, like acrylic, are a type of paint that is known for their quick-drying properties. It also has very little to no odor, which makes it safe for kids and babies, and it applies easily to any surface.
Water-based paints are commonly used for painting exterior and interior wall surfaces and painting wood surfaces around the house, such as cabinetry and shelves. It can also be used for painting fabrics.
One of the cons to using water-based paints is that it is prone to chipping due to scuffing. Water-based paints tend to create a matte or flat finish, so if you want a glossy or mirror finish, they are not a good option.
When water-based paint is still wet, you can remove it with water. Once it is fully dry, you can remove it by scrubbing it off with soapy water, but this can take a long time and requires a lot of effort.
Nail polish remover can be used on a water-based paint.
The solvent in nail polish can dissolve and break down water-based in no time—this means easy removal with minimal effort for scrubbing.
Can You Use Nail Polish Remover To Remove Paint Off Any Surface?
Now that we know the types of paints that can be removed using a nail polish remover, it is important to know if it works on any surface.
Nail polish removers contain powerful substances that may cause damage to some surfaces. This is why you should know which surfaces nail you can use polish removers on.
You can use nail polish remover to remove paint from almost any surface, with a few exceptions.
1. Wooden Surfaces
There are three types of wood: softwood, hardwood, and engineered wood. Nail polish remover can remove paint from all three types of wood.
You can use nail polish remover to remove paint and varnish from wooden furniture, cabinetry, and shelves.
You can use it to thin out the paint or remove it completely. Even though it has strong chemicals, it is safe and should not affect wood quality.
2. Metal Surfaces
There are different types of metal, but the ones commonly used at home are stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. Nail polish remover can be used on all these types of metal. Nail polish remover is safe to use on these surfaces, and it will not cause any damage to them.
However, nail polish remover may not be that effective. It can thin out the paint on metal surfaces, but it will not work well to completely dissolve and remove the paint.
If you want to remove paint from these surfaces, it is recommended that you use pure acetone instead of just regular nail polish remover. Pure acetone will not harm these surfaces.
3. Plastic Surfaces
Plastics are made to be durable and will not likely get damaged by solvents. You can use nail polish remover to remove paint from plastic surfaces such as low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.
These plastics are commonly used for household items such as plastic containers, bottles, and children’s toys. So if you accidentally spill some paint on any of these items, you can use nail polish remover to remove the paint.
If the plastic item is made from PVC or polystyrene, then do not use nail polish remover. It is not safe to use for removing paint from these types of plastics.
4. Glass Surfaces
Glass is another versatile and common material in the household.
There is always a glass object in almost every area of the house. Glass is a strong and sturdy material that is resistant to harsh substances.
Nail polish remover is safe to use on glass surfaces and can be used to remove paint from them. You must get a clean cloth or towel and pour some nail polish remover on it.
Then rub the area where paint has been spilled on. The paint will easily dissolve and come off.
5. Fabrics
When you paint around the house and are not careful, you can get paint on your furniture, upholstery, carpets, and clothes.
If this happens, you can easily clean it using nail polish remover. Nail polish remover removes paint on almost any type of fabric, including cotton, polyester, and wool.
So if you get paint on your clothes, upholstery, or carpets by accident, clean it up using nail polish remover. Apply some nail polish remover to the spilled area and wipe it off with a clean paper towel.
Take note that while nail polish remover is safe to use on almost any type of fabric, it can cause damage to suede and acetate fabrics. So check the label if the material is made from these two, and if so, do not use nail polish remover.
Can You Remove Car Paint With Nail Polish Remover?
Nail polish remover effectively removes different types of paint from almost any surface. But will it be effective for car paint?
If the nail polish remover contains acetone, then you can use it to remove car paint.
The acetone in nail polish remover can be strong enough to dissolve paint on the car, especially if it is paint that has been splattered on.
But if the paint has dried and been sitting there for a long time, nail polish remover may not be enough. You might need to use pure acetone to remove the paint completely.
Here is how you can remove paint off a car using nail polish remover:
- Start by cleaning the car using soapy water or your regular car shampoo. Allow it to dry completely.
- Take an old clean cloth or a rag, and dab it onto the nail polish remover. You can also pour the nail polish remover onto the cloth.
- Using the cloth, buff the area where you want to remove the paint. Apply pressure when needed to effectively remove any traces of paint.
- Rinse the area with water to remove any nail polish residue.
Can Nail Polish Remover Ruin Paint?
Since nail polish remover is strong enough to remove paint from any surface, it can affect paint. It is powerful enough to dissolve paint off any surface, and it can even be used as a paint thinner.
Nail polish remover can ruin the paint when it is accidentally spilled on a surface. This is why you have to be careful when handling this substance.
You do not want to spill nail polish remover on your walls, car, or any painted furniture and ruin its paint job. It is also important to note that it should not be used as a cleaning agent for regular dirt because of its effect on the paint.
If there is stubborn dirt on surfaces around the house, use an appropriate cleaning agent instead of nail polish remover. Use nail polish remover only when you want to clean off traces of spilled paint.
Sources:
Can You Use Nail Polish Remover To Remove Paint?
How To: Remove Paint From Everything
Will Nail Polish Remover Take Paint Off A Car? Let’s Find Out