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Original poster

any thoughts on how to get gloss paint off a 14 month old baby?

19 replies

lummox · 08/08/2006 09:39

have just had a 'turn your back for a second' moment and turned back to see ds fondling the newly painted, still claggy bookshelves.

have tried various baby soaps and baby wipes, but am relucatant to follow dh's white spirit suggestion.

help?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 08/08/2006 09:40

White spirit is ok on the skin, it's isopropyl alcohol isn't it? Quite good on cuts.

WideWebWitch · 08/08/2006 09:42

I had one of those moments yesterday and ended up with a wall like a Pollock painting and a toddler who looked like she'd been up a chimney. White spirit and then wash it off, I would anyway.

roisin · 08/08/2006 09:43

ROFL at this thread!
Have you got a photo WWW?!

Quootiepie · 08/08/2006 09:45

oh dear... I used fairy liquid and sugar to get it off me... but took about a week!

NotQuiteCockney · 08/08/2006 09:45

White spirit just evaporates anyway. It's drying, so not great for the skin, but as a one-off, it'll be fine.

Quootiepie · 08/08/2006 09:46

I know it sounds obvious but if you use white spirit make sure no hands go in mouth, and use in a really well ventilated area so none is inhaled.

MrsBadger · 08/08/2006 09:47

white spirit is not isopropyl alcohol - do not get it anywhere near cuts.

It's basically a mixture of paraffins and naphthenes, so it's closer to petrol or kerosene.

I say again - not good for bare skin unless washed off sharpish, not good for cuts.

Try Swarfega on the baby.

WideWebWitch · 08/08/2006 09:47

Roisin, no, it took me a good half an hour scrubbing to get it off. Ds washed dd's face in the end, I couldn't be bothered to do her, it wasn't as if we were going anywhere!

NotQuiteCockney · 08/08/2006 09:47

Ooops! I bow to MrsBadger's greater knowledge on this one.

MrsBadger · 08/08/2006 09:48

sorry - I've got a lab full of chemicals and a Health & Safety Executive inspection tomorrow - kind of sharpens the mind!

NotQuiteCockney · 08/08/2006 09:50

Ah, see I really love isopropyl alcohol for cuts and pimples. But it's not easily available here, so I somehow assumed White Spirit was the same thing. Duh.

WideWebWitch · 08/08/2006 09:51

Ooh I was wrong too, bow to MrsB too. You see, me? I'd leave it, wait for it to wear off eventually

heavenis · 08/08/2006 09:52

Nail varnish remover works,still make sure you wash hands well afterwards.

wilbur · 08/08/2006 09:55

NQC - I think you mean surgical spirit which is okay for skin - i remember being told to use it on my ear piercings. Don't think it would move gloss paint though.

NotQuiteCockney · 08/08/2006 09:57

Yes, surgical spirit sounds right - that would be where I went wrong, at least this time.

Original poster
lummox · 08/08/2006 10:12

thanks all - will get some surgical spirit. although am also tempted by www's approach. we're not planning on ging anywhere important until ds is about 12, so i could probably just leave it.

what is odd is that whilst no amount of scrubbing seems to get it off, ds is able to effortlessly transfer it to other surfaces. guess at least i can use white spirit on a computer mouse and some bricks.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 08/08/2006 10:13

ha ha ha at 'about 12'

MrsJohnCusack · 08/08/2006 10:17

this happened to me....(well my DD)
I left it and it did all come off over about 2 days of baths and occasional scrubbing with baby wipes. was unwilling to use white spirit as it didn't work that well on me (yes, from the same incident

hunkermunker · 08/08/2006 10:21

I'm ROFLing at "Try Swarfega on the baby." for some reason.

Hope it wears off soon, Lummox. Otherwise, you'll have plenty of time to plan a really special outing for his 12th birthday

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