Removing the primer can be very difficult, but with enough effort and patience it will usually be possible to remove any splatters of primer from most surfaces. Different methods work for different surfaces, familiarize yourself with each one to get the right solution to the problem.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Removing Primer from Skin
Step 1. Pour vegetable oil into a bowl
Measure out enough vegetable oil to cover the stain of the primer on your skin and pour the oil into a small bowl.
- Most primers are oil-based; regular water is ineffective against them. As an oil based product, primers are fat soluble and can be removed with grease.
- Small things accomplish a lot, so you only need 1 to 3 tablespoons (15 to 45 ml) of oil, even if you need to remove a large stain.
- Sunflower oil is not the only remedy. Most cooking oils can be used to achieve the result. Try coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil if you don't have a versatile vegetable on hand.
Step 2. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil
Squeeze 3 drops of lemon oil into a vegetable oil. Mix two oils with your fingers or a plastic spoon.
This step is optional, you should be able to remove the primer from your skin using only vegetable oil without additives. Lemon oil can slightly increase the efficiency of the process, as the weak acid in the lemon oil will help the formulation get under the primer without damaging the skin
Step 3. Apply the mixture to the stain
Pour the oil mixture directly onto the stain of the primer on your skin. Use your fingers to rub the skin until the mixture of oils turns white.
- The oil mixture will turn white when it has absorbed most of the white primer.
- You can apply a mixture of oils and wipe off the primer with a clean rag, but be prepared to sacrifice a rag as you won't be able to remove the primer from the fabric.
Step 4. Wash off residue with soap and water
Rinse off the whitened oil mixture, then wash the area with soap and water.
- The soap will help get rid of the grease residue from the primer and the oil blend to remove it.
- Rub your skin well - until you no longer feel the oil on your hands. Rinse again and dry your hands.
Step 5. Repeat as needed
Usually, most of the primer is washed off the first time after rubbing with a mixture of oils. If stubborn stains still persist, simply repeat the process to remove them.
Method 2 of 4: Remove Primer from Hard Surfaces in Your Home
Step 1. Use a razor to scrape off any drops
Any drops, streaks and stains of the primer must be scraped off with a single-sided razor blade.
- Hold the blade at an angle so that the sharp edge is nearly parallel to the surface and only tilts slightly towards it.
- Scrape off the bead, working from top to bottom, until most of the primer has been scraped off.
- Vary the angle of the blade as needed to clean off the primer. If the angle of inclination is too small, the blade will not clean anything, if too large there is a risk of damage to the surface on which you are working.
Step 2. Sand down the drips
For streaks and smears, you will need to use sandpaper or a hard sponge to sand the surface and remove the primer.
- If you are using a sanding pad, make sure it is designed to work with the type of material that the surface you are working with (wood, plastic or metal).
- Wear a mask or respirator before sanding the primer to avoid breathing in dust from the primer.
- Start with a medium grit sandpaper and sand in one direction. Don't be discouraged if you don't see progress at first. You will have to sand for at least 5 minutes, applying pressure all the time, until the visible result appears.
Step 3. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth
Use a clean, damp rag to sweep dust and debris off your work surface when you're done scraping and sanding.
Dry the surface with a second cloth immediately after wiping it with a damp cloth
Step 4. Repeat as needed
Examine the surface in bright light and look for traces of primer. If there are still streaks, repeat the procedure to remove any traces of primer.
- Try different grit sizes. Be careful: some surfaces can be damaged if you work on them with coarse-grained sandpaper and sand too hard.
- This method works for most hard surfaces, including walls, wood furniture, and hard floors.
Method 3 of 4: Removing Primer from Fabric
Step 1. Gently scrape off excess primer
Using a single-sided razor blade, gently scrape the primer off the surface of the fabric.
- Hold the blade at an angle so that it barely touches the fabric at a slight angle towards the surface.
- Scrape off the primer, working in one direction, until you have removed as much as possible. Work slowly and carefully so as not to cut the fabric.
Step 2. Prepare a detergent solution
Prepare a cleaning solution with one part dishwashing liquid and one part cold water.
The exact amount of solution you need to work depends on the size of the stain, but you should prepare enough to soak the stained area well
Step 3. Moisten the stain with the detergent solution
Dampen a sponge in the solution, then blot the stain with a dabbing motion.
Do not rub the stain, in this case the primer will only penetrate deeper into the fibers of the fabric
Step 4. Rinse well
After treating the stain for a few minutes, wash the material under cool water.
Work from the inside of the fabric, if possible, and rinse the fabric until the dripping water is clear
Step 5. Repeat as needed
If the stain is not completely removed, blot it again with the same cleaning agent.
Repeat as needed until the stain disappears or you no longer notice improvement
Step 6. Moisten with accenton
If the detergent solution doesn't work, use a sponge to blot the stain with a little liquid acetone.
- As in the previous case, the stain should be blotted, but not rubbed.
- Do not use acetone on fabrics that contain acetate or triacetate.
Step 7. Rinse well
Rinse off the acetone with cool water.
- Rinse until the running water is clear.
- Do not use acetone more than once. If you still need to work with the fabric, return to the soapy solution.
Method 4 of 4: Removing Primer from Concrete
Step 1. Apply solvent to the stain
Apply solvent to an area of the stain no more than 1 foot (30.5 cm) high and wide. Let the solvent act on the surface for 3-5 minutes.
- Even if the stain is larger, you should work in small areas to prevent the primer residue from spreading too much.
- Try a brush cleaner or a traditional solvent like turpentine or white spirit. If none of these help, try contacting the primer manufacturer for advice.
- Always read the instructions for the solvent to avoid misuse.
Step 2. Rub with a wire brush
After the solvent has been absorbed, scrub the damp surface of the stain with a long-handled metal brush.
- Ideally, you should scrub while standing rather than crouching since you can apply a greater amount of pressure that way.
- Scrub at different angles to treat the stain as thoroughly as possible.
Step 3. Flush with a pressure jet
Rinse off solvent and primer residues with a medium-pressure water jet.
- Do this while the solvent is still wet. Do not wait for the product to dry, as residual primer may soak back into the surface.
- A pressure jet can wash off even more primer, but it is better to use a medium pressure instead of a powerful one. A powerful jet can destroy cement, causing more harm than good in the end.
Step 4. Treat the entire area
Repeat the procedure for the entire surface, working in 1 foot (30.5 cm) areas.
- Apply solvent.
- Rub the stained surface.
- Flush off solvent and primer.
Step 5. Rinse well
When you think you have treated the entire contaminated surface, rinse the entire area using a low pressure.
- Check the surface while it is still damp, then check again after drying.
- If stains remain, you can repeat the same process to remove them.
You will need
Removing the primer from the skin
- Small capacity
- Vegetable oil
- Lemon oil
- Rag
- Soap
- Water
Removing primer from hard surfaces
- Single sided razor blade
- Sandpaper or sanding sponge
- Rags
- Water
- Protective mask or respirator
Removing primer from fabric
- Single sided razor blade
- Liquid dishwashing detergent
- Cool water
- Sponge
- Acetone
Removing primer from concrete
- Solvent
- Long Handle Metal Brush
- High-pressure washer