How to take the stupid stuff off my book case?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (92719)
United States
July 16, 2009 12:13pm CST
When I moved apartments a couple of months ago, my dad paid some of his friends to move my stuff. Well, they knocked a book case of mine into the wall, and apparently they (the maintenance guys) had repainted before I moved in. Some of the paint is now on my book case, and I cannot get it off. I've tried scraping it with something that wouldn't take the wood varnish off (it's real wood, dark wood, maybe cherry?), but there isn't anything like that effective.
I've tried putting the dark Pledge over it to stain the paint on the wood, but that didn't work. I tried something called Goo be Gone, but that didn't work because after all, I'm trying to remove white paint, not sticky stuff. Any ideas?
7 people like this
15 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Hi Ambie, please be very careful about putting anything on it. u are liable to take some of the original finish off. the old antiquer is coming out in me now, lol. U don't need to be scraping it u will also scratch the finish. Do u know anyone who refinishes furniture? if u do call them, if u don't find u one in the phone book & talk to them & see what they recoomend. maybe there will be one on mylot that will answer your question but just be sure they know what they are talking about. maybe u could get more than one opinion & then decide what to do. try googling it to. hope u get a solution.
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Yes! You get my fear. The book case is very beautiful, a gift from my parents last Christmas. I don't want to damage it in any way. Even if the damage could be fixed, I don't know if I could afford to fix it even if it could be repaired.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I hope u find out what to do to get the paint off.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Jul 09
THANK U, for the best response. Did u get the paint off.
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
16 Jul 09
You might want to try steel wool. I know that sounds a little harsh, but it really isn't. It is softer than the finest of sandpaper, yet it seems to break up layers. Of course, you will first want to try it on a similar product and see if it seems like it will do the trick for you. I know people who have used this product on cars, so it is really gentle.
Good luck to you in getting your bookshelf back to original. Have a great day!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Ambie, the very finest sand paper or steel wool (0000) on the paint spots, then the matching wood repair crayon has a good chance to make the book case beautiful again. I have not used the crayons myself but have read that you can warm it up with a blow dryer once you mark it on to the area, then buff it with a soft cloth for a really good looking repair.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Well when my granddaughter got paint on her new pants I used oxyclean spray for laundry and it melted the paint right out of the material....but the stuff is spendy. Have you tried using a bit of baking soda on a rag? It might just have enough abrasive to lightly sand the paint off....hope you find something that works! I know how frustrating it is!
2 people like this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
16 Jul 09
Wish I knew more about home maintenance kind of stuff.
When we moved into this place, there were two big holes
in the kitchen floor, about a foot wide that led under
the trailer.
I ended up taping a big chunk of wood over both holes
to keep anyone from falling though.
It's holding so far, only cause no one runs over it.
I'm just not a very home maintenance kind of person.
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Hey Ambie! Now calm down! I'm not sure about getting the paint
off without taking the stain off. If you were to use a tiny
bit of turpentine, I mean a tiny bit on the spot where the
paint is? Or you could get a stain that is the color of the
furniture and paint over the paint. They also have crayons that
are just enough to cover the area. They have them in hardware
stores. They are not regular crayons, they are for the purpose
of covering scratches on wood furniture etc. I would go to
a hardward store and ask a professional and explain exactly
what the problem is! I have had similar problems and have
done either a re-stain or crayon type fix myself!
2 people like this
@dozhou (326)
• United States
16 Jul 09
If your bookcase is in light color, you can use organic solvent like ethanol to remove it, because paint can be dissolved in organic solvent, but if your bookcase is in dark color, cause organic solvent may also affect the appearance of your bookcase.
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Use a very ultra fine sand paper or sanding sheet. Or there is a product called oops that is for removing paint spills and spatters. If you can buff it off, and the wood is shiny a little spray varnish or poly urethan will put the gloss back.
1 person likes this
@AmberNormandin (883)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I havent read all the responses, so if I repeat, sorry! You could try finger nail polish remover, or maybe a Mr.Clean magic eraser, or maybe some "Old English"...good luck!
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
16 Jul 09
I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems getting it off of there. I think you may be able to take the paint off with mineral spirits. If that does not work, a little bit of gasoline or lighter fluid on a rag, may remove it but be careful.
2 people like this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
16 Jul 09
Not saying this will work but I use liguid lighter fluid for everything. If you have a sticky piece of tape or whatever I hear everyone uses fingernail polish remover, that never works for ol' granny here. I use good old fashioned lighter fluid and I even removed finger nail polish off my bedroom carpet. I don't smoke anymore and I gave my old lighters away but I will always have a tin of lighter fliud. Good Luck my dear friend.
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
17 Jul 09
ask the maintenance guys if they remember what kind of paint it was.
most paint except for oil will come off with that orange clean stuff.
oil's a bit harder,because anything that'll take the paint off might damage the finish.
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I have no suggestions but I hope someone else had some good advice for you.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
16 Jul 09
I htink that I would use a little paint thinner to get it out. But do it gently and then you may have to get a small container of colour to stain over the area. I don't know of anything else but I am sure that other friends wil have better ideas then me. I am not much of a handy person around the house. Blessings and have a wonderful day.
2 people like this
@ravirai8616561 (824)
• India
17 Jul 09
Well my dear fella,let me say that if you have ever tried so hard to get something done.There are manythings in life so artistic and beautiful and to be completed in time.So I would say just Rub it and get on with it.HAVE A NICE DAY
