How to Get Paint Off of Leather Boots : (5 Different Methods)

There is no need to abandon your beloved pair of leather boots if you have unintentionally spilled paint on them. While the stain may appear permanent initially, there are easy procedures you can follow to get paint off of your leather boots without ruining them. This article will show you how to remove paint on leather boots using a range of easy techniques and solutions.

Note that there are three major types of paint available in the market today. These include oil paint, acrylic paint, and latex paint. These paint types differ in their chemical composition and need specific products and processes to be removed successfully from leather boots.

See also: How to Disinfect Used Shoes

How to Remove Paint on Leather Boots

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Method 1: Use Olive Oil

Olive oil is an extremely mild substance and as such will not cause any damaging side effects like staining, discoloration, or fading. This technique works with oil paint and acrylic paint.

Materials you will need:

• 2 pieces of clean fabric
• Olive oil
• Paper towel or washcloth

Instructions

1. Grab the washcloth or paper towel and use it to blot the paint stain. Your aim is to remove as much of the paint as possible before using the olive oil. Do not rub the paint as this may cause it to spread to other parts of the boot.
2. Drizzle some of the olive oil onto the leftover paint stain ( a Nickle-sized quantity is enough or this)
3. Rub in the oil using your fingertips
4. Allow the oil to sit on the boot for approximately 3 minutes. The oil will emulsify the paint as it seeps in thus making it very easy to lift off the paint stain.
5. Take a clean dry fabric and use it to wipe off any excess oil plus remnants of the paint

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Method 2: Use Vaseline

Using Vaseline achieves similar results as using olive oil. The petroleum jelly helps dampen the paint stain so you can lift it off easily. This technique works with oil paint and acrylic paint.

Materials you will need:

• Vaseline
• Clean cloth
• Blunt butter knife

Instructions

1. Dab some Vaseline jelly onto the stain
2. Allow the jelly to sit on the stain for about 3 minutes
3. Once the jelly has softened the paint, scrape off the paint using a blunt butter knife or your fingernails. Avoid spreading the jelly all over your work boots as this may discolor it
4. Remove any excess petroleum jelly using another clean cloth

See also: How to Remove Creases From Leather Shoes

Method 3: Use Fingernail Polish remover

Fingernail polish contains mostly acetone – a clear colorless liquid that can break down or dissolve other materials including paint.

Materials you will need:

• Fingernail polish remover
• A clean cloth or cotton swab

Instructions

1. Grab a clean cloth or cotton swab and dab it into the nail polish remover
2. Lightly dab the cotton swab now soaked with nail polish remover on the stain
3. Allow the fingernail polish remover to stay on the paint for about a minute.
4. Continue dabbing until the stain starts to remove unto the cotton swab
5. Repeat this process until all of the stains are removed
6. Once you’ve removed all the paint, polish the boots to restore their shine

See also: How to Keep Shoes from Dry Rotting

Method 4: Use Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol works extremely well at getting paint off of leather boots. Nevertheless, you need to be very careful when using this material to avoid ruining your boots. This technique works with oil paint and acrylic paint.

Materials you will need:

1. Rubbing alcohol
2. Cotton swab

Instructions

1. Take the cotton swab and dip it in the alcohol
2. Lightly dab on the paint stain
3. Gently wipe away the stain using the drenched cotton swab
4. Repeat the process until you’ve removed all the stain

Method 5: Use Soapy Water

This technique works with water-based paints like latex.

Materials you will need:

• Soapy water
• Clean cloth
• Soft-bristled brush

Instructions

1. Take the clean cloth and dip it within the soapy water
2. Let the cloth stay in the water for some seconds it is well soaked
3. Place the soaked cloth on the stain and let it stay for some seconds. This will help loosen the paint so it will be easy to remove
4. Take the soft-bristled brush and use it to scrape off the latex paint stain
5. Keep dabbing and scraping until you’ve removed all the paint
6. Rinse off any soap water on your boots
7. Let your boots dry outside
8. Apply boot oil or leather conditioner
9. Done