How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Sneakers?
I know you must love customizing sneakers with acrylic paint, but sometimes your paint may not go as planned. You may want to rub it out but do not know whether it is possible or not. Relax, because I am here to give some solution to your problem.
How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Sneakers? There are so many options to try, but if you use a deglazer and sufficient water, then it will be easy for you to scrub off acrylic from your shoes. It will take time, but if you work on repeat, no stain will leave behind.
Keep reading this article to explore more about the removal of acrylic from sneakers, and I bet you will love reading it.

Can You Remove Acrylic Paint From Sneakers?
If you are bored with the acrylic paint of your sneakers, then it is high time you rub it off. But sneakers are made of different materials, making the paint removal a bit different for different types.
Canvas Sneakers
This is a bit soft and fabric type of sneakers that absorb paint when it dries. Even the upper portion of Vans shoes is made of canvas fabric.
Brush the painted area and then apply a soapy mixture to the paint to loosen it. Once the paint is soft, scrape it off and use a nail polish remover to clean the surface smoothly.
Rubber Sneakers
You can remove acrylic from rubber sneakers easily. You can peel off the dry paint. But if you have a sealer, use acetone or nail polish remover to dissolve the layer of sealer. Then you can use a detergent mixture and rub off the paint.
Suede Sneakers
Suede sneakers are made of soft leather, and before you scoop out the paint, wet it with paint thinner. Then use a blunt knife and remove the paint. Then wipe out the acrylic with damp cloth and use a suede cleaner to smooth the surface.
Leather Sneakers
When you have acrylic paint on leather sneakers like Nike sneakers, and want to remove paint, then simply use some cleaner.
Brush off the dry paint with a scraping knife and soak the paint with oil. Let it soften the paint and you again scrape the rest. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and apply leather conditioner for proper finishing.
Techniques To Remove Acrylic Paint From Your Sneakers
Acetone
- If you are using this on dry paint then apply slowly with a cotton swab.
- Be gentle with the rubbing process.
- You may need a fingernail file to remove the dry paint from the edge.
Nail Polish Remover
- You can take a toothbrush and scrape off the paint from a canvas sneaker.
- Use nail polish remover as a cleaner and gently scrub the paint.
- Slowly the paint will come off and rinse it with warm water.
Dish Soap
- Take a clean cloth and dip in a bowl of warm water mixed with dish wash
- Scoop the bubbles and place them on the paint
- Rub gently until most of the paint is wiped out.
- Use a nail file to remove the corner paint and wipe the shoe with a clean rag.
Dry Acrylic Paint
- Use a toothbrush to brush off the excess paint.
- Next, apply a soapy mixture to the stain and let it soak the detergent.
- Use a blunt knife and scrape off the soft paint.
- Again rub with a concentrated detergent solution over the remaining paint.
- Use a cleaner like nail polish to take out the grains of paint over the canvas shoe forever.
Wet Acrylic Paint
- If you have wet acrylic paint, scrape off the excess paint with a spoon.
- Next, blot the affected area with a wet cloth.
- Apply a mixture of detergent and water with a scrubber on the exact spot.
- Rinse with water thoroughly and clean it to dry as new.
Hydrogen Peroxide
- If your sneakers have acrylic marker pen stain, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
- Take half cup of hydrogen peroxide and 2 cups of cool water.
- Dip an old brush in the mixture and rub persistent stains in circles.
- Rinse your sneakers and dry them fresh.
- Do not use this technique for dark-colored shoes.
Things You May Need To Get Acrylic Paint Off Your Sneakers
How To Get Acrylic Paint Out Of Sneakers?
Removing acrylics from your sneakers can be easy if you follow the steps properly. I have described 7 steps below.

Step 1: Remove The Shoe Lace
First, you should remove the lace so that any color stain does not stain your lace. This will not look good later.
Step 2: Wipe The Surface
Now take a small piece of cloth and wipe the surface of the shoes to remove any debris or stain.
Step 3: Use Tape To Secure Some Areas
You can secure the areas where there is no color. You can secure the shoe holes if necessary.

Step 4: Apply Deglazer With Cotton Pad
For now, take a cotton pad and soak it with deglazer.

Then start from a corner and remove paint in one direction.

Step 5: Remove Debris With Damp Cloth
Next, take a damp cloth and remove the excess paint stain neatly. Keep repeating the process until all the major areas are cleaned.

Step 6: Use Q-tip For Corners
Take a cotton bud and dip it in the deglazer. Now use it in the different corners where the cotton swab could not remove paint.

Step 7: Clean With A Damp Cloth
Take a damp cloth and wipe out all the dirt from the shoe surface. You now have your sneakers with no acrylic paint on them.
What Tools Do You Need To Remove Acrylic Paint From Sneakers?
Recommended For Use | Name Of Product | Link |
Best Acrylic Paint Thinner For Sneakers | U.S. Art Supply 16-Ounce Pint Airbrush Thinner for Reducing Airbrush Paint for All Acrylic Paints – Extender Base, Reducer to Thin Colors Improve Flow – Works for Thinning Acrylic Pouring Paint | Check Price Here |
Best Cotton Swab To Remove Acrylic From Sneakers | Cliganic Super Jumbo Cotton Balls (200 Count) – Hypoallergenic, Absorbent, Large Size, 100% Pure | Check Price Here |
Best Scraping Knife To Remove Paint From Sneakers | Putty Knife Scrapers, Spackle Knife, Metal Scraper Tool for Drywall Finishing, Plaster Scraping, Decals, and Wallpaper (4 Pack, 5”, 4”, 3”, 1.5” Wide) | Check Price Here |
Best Deglazer For Cleaning Out Acrylic Paint From Sneakers | Angelus Leather Preparer Deglazer 5oz | Check Price Here |
#1 U.S. Art Supply Thinner : (Recommended Acrylic Paint Thinner For Sneaker)
U.S. Art Supply Thinner is a magical product that works best to thin acrylic even in dry state. You can easily apply it over sneakers without damaging the original color.
I personally like this product as you can thin acrylic at a very minimum amount. Some say they use this for airbrush painting on shoes. And if they want some change they can simply liquify the dry paint and wipe it off the shoe.
So, grab this amazing product at a very reasonable price and wipe off all the acrylic stains from the sneakers.
#2 Cliganic Super Jumbo Cotton Balls : (Recommended Cotton Swab)
Cliganic Super Jumbo Cotton Balls are soft round cotton balls that will be useful for you while rubbing off paint. It soaks the wet paint well off any surface.
You can use these jumbo balls of cotton to seal the holes of the shoes. Though there are multiple users of this product yet they all believe the quality of this is quite amazing.
Hurry up and buy these useful cotton balls which are both more in quantity and excellent in quality.
#3 Putty Knife Metal Scraper : (Proposed Scraping Knife)
Putty Knife Metal Scraper is the sharp tool that you can use to scrape off dry acrylic paint for the surface of sneakers.
I personally like this set as you can easily choose different sizes of scrapers for your work. They do not form rust so often and that is why people appreciate it. They find it easy to use and the handle is quite handy.
Try this super flexible product for taking off acrylic paint off your sneakers and enjoy.
#4 Angelus Leather Preparer And Deglazer : (Suggested Deglazer For Cleaning)
Angelus Leather Preparer and Deglazer is the perfect cleanser for your sneakers that have paint on it.
I personally love this product because it works so well on leather and retains the original shade of the shoes. Some say that it can clean or deglaze anything out of a shoe with a small amount. It does not even has any bad odor so you will not suffocate while working with it.
So, grab this amazing product at a very reasonable price and wipe off all the acrylic stains from the sneakers.
Over To You
In conclusion, the best way to remove acrylic paint from a sneaker’s surface is to use sufficient deglazer and water continuously. Then ensure the shoe is clean, dry, and free of paint stains.
I hope my findings have been helpful to you. However, if you have any queries regarding acrylic paint removal, do let me know in the comment section.
Further Readings
Removing Angelus Acrylic Paint From Shoes
How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Any Type Of Shoes
How To Get Acrylic Paint Off Shoes
How To Get Paint Off Canvas Shoes.
How To Get Paint Out Of Shoes
Removing Paint From Shoes