How to get spray paint off your hands?
Spray paint is very popular because of how easy it is to apply and spray paint on professionally manufactured products. They save time and provide uniform finishing. They are also the kind of paint that leaves its characteristic texture and style which makes any item look beautiful and well made.
This is why even though spray painting requires the user to learn some moderate level of techniques and can cost a bit in terms of paint price, they still seem to be a chosen mode of coloring creations.
It is, however, quite possible to get messy in the process of using spray paint in the white number of things that come as a part of your creative process.
One of the worst ways to trouble oneself as an artist is to have permanent paint like acrylic or spray get onto one’s skin. These become quite hard to wash off and take a lot of time to do so.
Spray paint textures exist in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, matte and flat variations. All of these stick well to porous surfaces as they get absorbed. Therefore, even though general spray paint is not manufactured to be permanent on human skin, it still penetrates the skin layers and becomes hard to wash off.
This should not, however, stop you from using spray paint. As the benefits of spray paint range far and wide. You will be able to get great quality finished products in no time using this paint medium.
Benefits of using spray paint on wood
There are quite some benefits of using spray paint on wood rather than the available alternatives. Some benefits are as follows
Very easy to apply
The spray paint bottle is designed in such a manner that it can cover large areas in a very short time without any compromise on the smoothness of its finishing. Especially if the whole structure is to be painted a single color using spray paint is the best option.
Has great texture
Painting with a brush can leave textures of brush bristles on the wooden surface which is never the goal. Spray paint on the other hand is very uniform and no extra tools are being used.
Dries quickly
Spray paint does not need a lot of time to dry. Paint mediums that require a lot of time to dry might hamper the original plans or the time frame within which you are working. Spray paint on the other hand only needs 2 hours to dry out and 1 to 2 days to cure.
Is not that messy
Spray paint is also safer for you and your surroundings. Because they come in a well-built can and can be applied with a nozzle. There are lesser chances of you harming your nails or hair in the process of applying spray paint. The hasty application can however lead to large blotches of paint spread on the wrong corners of your room.
Precautions to take during spray painting
All painting processes are improved when creators take the necessary precautions. These precautions not only protect your projects but also your own body from any accidental spray painting misfortune. These precautions include
Always use an airy, well-ventilated room for painting
Choose an airy place without being in direct influence of the outer environment. If possible start painting on a dry and sunny day. Allow the paint to dry out properly each time you apply a coat of primer paint or sealant. Do not forget to let your objects cure properly before you start using them or ship them to your customer’s location.
Use great quality protective gear during painting
Where proper painting gear like gloves, mask, cap, apron, and leg or arm coverings. It is advisable to not wear good clothing while you are undertaking the painting process. One should tie their hair up carefully and if possible apply oil on their fingers and face area. This will prevent any paint from sticking to your skin for a long time if it accidentally gets there.
The painting should be done after properly covering everything
Always paint in a designated workshop area where you have properly covered all other surfaces within the periphery of your painting activity. All paint is liable to spill on surfaces it was not meant for, and this is doubly so the case for spray paint. Cover everything else around you including the floor or desk you are working on with one or two layers of newspaper or other waste paper or textile material.
Also know the correct procedure of using hvlp spray paint machine if you intend to use it or go with spray paint cans as they are easy to work with.
Spray paint is volatile
As spray paint is highly volatile, creators are also requested to keep away from heat and fire while working. Not only should you keep your spray paint cans and the items you are working on in a safe place away from fire, but you should also not go near the fire when you have spray paint on your hands or clothing.
Is spray paint harmful to your skin?
Spray paint comes into major variations. There is water or latex-based spray paint and there is solvent or oil-based spray paint. It can be safely argued that the water-based spray paint is less toxic in nature than its oil-based variant. However, they both are volatile and do contain toxic substances as a part of their built-in consistency. Being safe around spray paint is therefore quite necessary, especially if you are using it regularly.
Spray paint when it comes in contact with your body can have the following effects.
Causes itchy skin
Spray paint can cause inflammation and itchiness on your skin. If it has not started to happen immediately, that is good luck and proper precautions should be taken as soon as possible. In no circumstance should anyone let the spray paint stay on the skin for prolonged periods of time?
Cause watery eyes
When you have spray paint on your hands, make sure to keep your eyes untouched. It can cause severe burning and itchiness in your eyes as well as tearing up of eyes at an alarming rate. Similarly, your hands should be kept away from your forehead and your hair.
Can be toxic
Your nose should also be avoided when you have paint on your hands as inhaling the fumes of spray paint can cause nausea and headache along with dizziness and nose and throat irritation. In severe cases, this might lead to hospitalization.
Long-term exposure to spray paint regularly can cause a wide variety of deadly diseases including CNS dysfunction, skin cancer, lung cancer, asthma, kidney damage, liver damage, and allergic contact dermatitis.
To avoid getting paint near your sense organs including your skin you should invest in good quality protective painting gear. Good masks, aprons, leg and arm coverings along with caps and scarves can prove to be life savers
How to get spray paint off your hands?
If for some reason through accident or carelessness, you have had the misfortune of coming in direct contact with spray paint, it is important to clean it off then and there.
In fact, it should be your priority at the moment. And you should definitely not touch everyday furniture, clothing, utensils, food, or your face before you have completely removed the spray paint from every inch of your skin.
Mostly this will be an easy straightforward task. But in the case our first method does not work, you can try out a series of other procedures to get the best results.
Using good soap and water
Without a doubt, the first method involves you cleaning your hand with a strong soap. Try to do this for at least 15 minutes. It is never a great idea to use detergent or laundry soap on your skin. So, go for a very strong hand washing soap. There are some soaps and makeup removers that specialize in removing dark pigments from your body. You can try rubbing your hands with them as well.
Wash carefully and patently
Make sure to take long gaps between using different methods with the hope that you do not tear the upper layer of your skin trying to get the paint off. On the other hand, the brakes should not be too long as these might mean you are actually letting the paint settle in better.
Use dish soap in extreme cases
In extreme cases using soap or cleansers made especially for human skin might not work. You can then move on to good-quality dish soap. Apply a few drops of this dish soap to your hands and rub your hands together. This will lift the paint from your skin. After that, you just have to rinse your hands in water like you usually would.
Break the bonds of paint with oil
If the paint has already dried, try applying some oil to break the dried bonds. Oil makes it easy for paint to be rinsed off and is a great skin-friendly idea. You can apply good-quality oils like olive oil or coconut oil to your skin. Leave it on for some time, roughly from 20 minutes to an hour. Then try to rinse the paint off your hands. This is one of those methods that you can use multiple times.
A mayonnaise spa
Mayonnaise is not exactly bad for your skin. Therefore if you are trying to use household products to lift off spray paint from your hands you should definitely try out this method. Lather your skin with spray paint for 2 to 10 minutes and then rinse it away with soap and water.
Using coffee beans for exfoliation
If you are willing to undergo a little hand exfoliation adventure in the process of taking paint off your skin, use the Powder of grounded coffee beans with some olive oil or dish soap and rub it with moderate pressure on the area with the spray paint stain can actually work. A bonus tip is to use hot water to remove this paste.
Baking Soda with Coconut Oil
Coconut oil mixed with baking soda in equal quantities and applied on any surface can act as an instant remover. You can even take some time and massage the paste on the affected area or rub it in with moderate pressure for a better result. Some people prefer to simply leave it on for some time. You can also use other available oils like vegetable oil or avocado oil in this mixture.
Try to avoid chemicals
Many creators do suggest using harsh chemicals like paint thinners and alcohol rubs to remove paint. Strong brushes like a toothbrush or exfoliating brush can also be used to scrape off the paint from the skin layers. But at the end of the day, these methods do harm your skin and should be reserved for the last moment.
Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure. And this is correct in the case of spray paint as well. If you are already going through this horrible situation, it is best to invest in proper painting techniques immediately to prevent this from happening again. It is every creator’s responsibility to preserve their own health quality as much as the quality of their creations.
FAQ
Can I use general latex gloves as spray paint gear?
General latex gloves work very well as spray paint gear and can definitely be invested in by any beginner creator. In fact, relatives gloves are a better option compared to polythene gloves as these fit well and last longer. They also have a thicker surface through which paint cannot penetrate.
Should I use paint thinner to remove paint from my hands?
Paint thinner is itself a chemical that will have harmful results on your skin. These options should be reserved for the last moment and natural paint removing methods should be tried first.
I cannot clean paint from my hands. Should I visit a doctor?
If you have already spent enough time and energy trying out various methods to clean paint from your hands and keep failing at everything, it is a good idea to go seek professional help. Chances are continuous exposure of your skin to cleaning chemicals is doing more harm than good at this point.
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