When doing painting work in the bathroom, it is almost impossible to prevent paint splatters from getting onto surfaces. That is why painters cover the sink basin with plastic sheeting when painting the walls.
Unfortunately sometimes for one reason or the other, paint still gets onto the sink basin. It is very easy to wipe off the paint if it is still wet. However, if it has dried and hardened, it becomes a little bit difficult to get rid of it, but not impossible.
In this article, we will explore 3 different ways to get dry paint off your bathroom sink. But first, let’s explore how paint gets onto the surface of the sink.
Simple Reasons Why Paint Gets Onto The Surface Of The Sink
1. Not Covering The Sink Basin or Countertop
The most common way that paint splatters end up on the surface of the sink is by not covering it. That means you have completely exposed the sink basin to any paint particles that might be flying around. The end result is multiple splatters of paint on the surface. This can be easily avoided if you cover the sink with plastic sheeting before painting.
2. Paint Spilling
Sometimes paint can accidentally spill onto the surface of the sink. This is usually due to human error or a defective roller tray. If you have a can of paint placed in the sink or on the countertop, you can accidentally knock it over and spill it if the lid is not securely locked in place.
3. Washing Brushes Or Rollers In The Sink
Some people make the mistake of washing their paintbrushes or rollers in the sink basin. This is a surefire way to get paint on the surface of the sink.
How To Remove Dry Paint Off Your Bathroom Sink
As indicated earlier when paint hardens on the surface of the sink, it can be a challenge to remove but not impossible. Depending on the kind of stains, different methods need to be employed. Now, what do I mean by depending on the kind of stains?
The kind of stains can be splatters and drips of paint that have dried up or residue of paint that has been cleaned off the surface.
If it is the former, is the paint latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint? I will take you through how to deal with each of the stains.
How To Remove Dried Latex and Acrylic Paint From Your Bathroom Sink
Latex and acrylic paint is relatively easy to remove if they have not dried up. It’s just a matter of running water on them and wiping them off.
However, if the paint has dried up on the surface of the sink, then you will need to do the following;
First, run some hot water on it to wet the paint and make it easier to scrape off. Then you can use a plastic detailing razor blade or plastic putty knife to carefully scrape off the paint. Make sure that you are careful not to scratch the surface of the sink.
After scraping off all of the dried-up paint, use warm soapy water and a non-abrasive scrubber to clean the residual paint off, then dry the surface with a soft cloth and you should be good to go.
How To Remove Dried Oil-Based Paint From Your Bathroom Sink
Oil-based paint is highly durable and difficult to remove if it has dried on the surface of your sink. First, you need to soften the paint before scraping it off.
You can use a product like lacquer thinner that is specifically designed for thinning oil-based paints or a paint stripper. Alternatively, you can try acetone which is also effective at softening and removing oil-based paints from surfaces.
Once the paint has been softened, use a plastic putty knife or detailing razor blade to carefully scrape it off. Again, make sure you are gentle and do not scratch the surface of the sink.
After scraping off all of the paint, rinse with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive scrubber then dry the surface with a soft cloth.
How To Clean Paint Residue From Your Bathroom Sink
If you have stains from paint residue as a result of washing brushes and rollers in the sink, or you tried to clean up spilled paint, you can get rid of the stains by using chlorine bleach, cleaning agents with oxalic acids such as Barkeeper’s Friend or high concentration peroxide.
Before you start, make sure you wear protective gloves and open the windows for air circulation.
Then, apply the solution to the stain using a scrub brush and allow it to sit on the surface of the sink for about 10 minutes.
Afterward, use a soft sponge or non-abrasive scrubber and rub gently on the affected areas until all of the stains have been removed.
Rinse off with warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth.
How To Prevent Dry Paint Stains On Your Sink
From the discussions above, I believe you now know what to do to prevent dry paint stains from your sink. Here is a summary of some preventive measures.
- The best way to prevent the occurrence of dried-up paint stains on your bathroom sink is by washing your tools such as brushes and rollers outside in a bucket filled with water and detergent. Never wash them in the sink.
- You should also use drop cloths to cover the sink when painting in order to prevent splatters of paint from getting on your sink.
- When wiping away wet paint from your sink, use a damp cloth and be careful not to spread the paint to unaffected areas. Always rinse off stained cloth before using it to wipe clean areas of your sink. And make sure you clean affected areas thoroughly.
- Finally, keep the lids of all containers of paint closed when not in use and store them away from any open areas where accidents can happen.
Conclusion
Removing dried paint from your bathroom sink is not a very difficult task, but you will need some elbow grease to get the job done properly. There are a few different approaches you can take, depending on whether the paint is oil- or water-based. It is also important to know how to clean up any residual stains and employ preventive measures to minimize the chances of having paint stains in your sink in the future.