NYC subway station paint stain removal

April 2, 2010 6:04 AM

Stain removal help: What kind of paint do they use on the columns of the NYC subway? (General industrial-paint-stain-removal-but-safe-for-clothes tips appreciated as well.)

Like an idiot, I leaned on a column in a subway station last night that had some wet paint on it and got green marks on my black cotton jacket. I scraped off the worst of it and have the jacket soaking now.

I'm trying to figure out the next step, but there are different tips for oil vs latex paint stains. Anyone know what kind of paint this probably is, and how to get it out?

posted by mr frosted to Grab Bag (4 answers total)

As a guy who always seems to get tagged by his artist wife, you have a 50-50 chance with a product called Lestoil. My Mom could get almost anything out with it ...and a little elbow grease. Just be careful not to scuff up the fabric.
posted by lobstah at 6:42 AM on April 2, 2010

Best answer: I think it's a latex-based paint; I did the same thing (with a LEATHER JACKET), and was able to get it off using instructions for latex paint.

If you're still skittish, maybe try spot-testing one method on an inconspicuous area first to see if it works. Then if it does, you are good to go for the rest of it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:38 AM on April 2, 2010

I've used Goop successfully before. It comes in a small white vat and is used generally as an industrial strength hand cleaner, but I have removed both paint and ink that have dried on clothing with it.
posted by newpotato at 10:24 AM on April 2, 2010

Oil would take too long to dry, and they like to minimize incidents like yours. I'm saying latex.
posted by thejoshu at 6:17 PM on April 4, 2010