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How to Remove Dried Paint From a Coat

by Allison Boelcke

Overview

Paint is much easier to remove from a coat if treated within six to eight hours of the stain event, according to Ohio State University's Information Extension. Once the paint fully dries, extra effort is needed to remove it. A paint-stained coat may not return to normal, but it can be vastly improved.

Step 1

Check the paint container to determine if the paint is oil-based or water-based. If you don't have the container, treat the stain as water-based first to prevent damaging your coat. For oil-based paint, apply a small amount of turpentine to the cloth or paper towel, and lightly dab the fully dried paint stain just enough to soften the paint and make removal easier. For water-based paint, apply cold water instead of turpentine.
Step 2

Apply the cloth or paper towel to the softened stain. Dab the stain lightly, to soak up as much of the softened paint as possible. Do not forcefully rub the stain or you could make it even deeper and more difficult to remove.
Step 3

Place the coat under cold running water, to rinse off as much of the softened and loosened paint as possible. Dampen a cloth with turpentine or cold water, and use it to dab the stain and further loosen the paint.
Step 4

Pour heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent onto the paint stain, just enough to completely cover it. Lay the coat flat and let the detergent soak in overnight. The next day, wipe off the detergent with a damp, clean cloth, before further treating the stain.
Step 5

Fill a large sink or a washing machine with warm water and add a capful of the liquid laundry detergent. Wash the coat and hang it up to air-dry. Do not machine-dry the coat; the high heat could further set the stain if it remains.
Step 6

Inspect the coat to see if the paint stain is still there. If it is, apply pretreatment stain spray directly onto the paint stain and let it set for the amount of time recommended by the product's manufacturer. Wash in warm water and liquid laundry detergent again.

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Clean white cloth or paper towel Turpentine Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent Pretreatment stain spray
Clean white cloth or paper towel
Turpentine
Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent
Pretreatment stain spray
To ensure you have a stain remover that is specifically designed for pretreatment and is not a detergent or other type of cleaner, read the label of the stain remover and make sure it contains perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene petroleum distillates.
To ensure you have a stain remover that is specifically designed for pretreatment and is not a detergent or other type of cleaner, read the label of the stain remover and make sure it contains perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene petroleum distillates.
Before applying turpentine, test it on an area of the coat that isn't visible (such as inside the sleeve) to ensure it won't stain or destroy fabric fibers. Check the coat's care tag to ensure it can be safely treated with water and detergent products; otherwise, you may permanently damage the fabric. If it's dry-clean only, do not attempt to remove the stains at home but consult a dry cleaner. Do not use a colored cloth or paper towel to remove the paint stain; the dyes can leak onto the coat and cause another stain.
Before applying turpentine, test it on an area of the coat that isn't visible (such as inside the sleeve) to ensure it won't stain or destroy fabric fibers.
Check the coat's care tag to ensure it can be safely treated with water and detergent products; otherwise, you may permanently damage the fabric. If it's dry-clean only, do not attempt to remove the stains at home but consult a dry cleaner.
Do not use a colored cloth or paper towel to remove the paint stain; the dyes can leak onto the coat and cause another stain.