Treatment of paint stains on clothing

Reeves products are highly pigmented and can stain clothes and furnishings. Suitable protective clothing and covers should be used in any circumstances where there is a danger of staining. The information which follows should be helpful in treating stains, but there is little likelihood that stains can ever be completely eliminated.

Prevention is better than cure!

The pigment particles used in the manufacture of reeves products are extremely fine and if caught in the weave of fabrics will be difficult to remove. The ever increasing number of new materials and synthetic fibres compounds this problem.

As a general guide, we recommend that paint should be removed from clothing whilst wet-if at all possible. Wipe off excess with a dry cloth. Place an absorbent pad under the stain and work colour through with a dry or slightly moistened cloth, working towards the centre of the stain to prevent spreading the colour further.

Where paint has dried on clothing, we have found that in most instances it is possible to remove water based products (not acrylics) by hand washing with ordinary bar soap in warm not hot water. Synthetic detergents, and particularly biological detergents, should not be used.

It may be necessary to wash clothing several times, in which case the garment should be allowed to dry between each wash without heat. DO NOT IRON.

If this treatment fails to remove all the stain,try scrubbing with a nail brush. Providing the material will take the high temperature, boiling in soapy water and scrubbing may be tried. Bleach is ineffective and should not be used.

Dry cleaning fluids may be effective with oil based colours, but they give only limited results with water based colours.

Our laboratory is constantly aiming to develop formulations which will reduce the danger of staining while still performing to the high standards of colour and safety required.

We cannot accept liability for damages from staining with Reeves products.