Treat oil paint, varnish, and enamel stains quickly, since a dried or
hardened paint stain is almost impossible to remove. Scrape off as much
of the paint or varnish as possible before using any remover. If the
stain has hardened, apply a solvent on both sides and give time for it
to soften. Do not rub too hard; rubbing roughens the cloth. Use one of
the following methods:
Soap and water.—If the material is washable, remove fresh stains by
washing with plenty of soap. If the stain has dried, soften it first by
rubbing oil, lard, or petroleum jelly into it.
Turpentine or other solvents.—Sponge the stain with pure turpentine or,
if the spots are large or scattered, wash the whole article in it. Or
soak in a liquid of equal parts ammonia water and turpentine, rinse
several times in fresh turpentine, wash in soapy water. Carbon
tetrachloride, kerosene, alcohol, or benzene may be applied in the same
way as turpentine. Benzene is good for the usual type of spar varnish.
Alcohol will remove stains of shellac varnish, but never use alcohol on
acetate rayon or vinyon.
Paint and varnish remover.—Equal parts of benzene, carbon tetrachloride,
and amyl acetate (banana oil) make a very good paint remover. Apply the
remover and rub in a dry-cleaning soap to help loosen the stain. Finally
rinse out with carbon tetrachloride.