Can I use paint thinner to remove mold from paint?

Rivka
by Rivka
  8 answers
  • Andrew Bounader Andrew Bounader on Oct 17, 2017

    Is the mould in the can or on a prepainted surface?

    If it's in the can you're in a bit of trouble and the paint isn't really fit to breath in due to the mould spores present. If it's a water-based paint - you could try a little chlorine bleach to kill small amounts of mould, however it may also change the characteristics of the paint ie, colour and durability, plus it may react with the surface you're applying it to.... so beware.

    If it's in an oil based paint the mould has reacted with the vegetable oils which suspend the oxides of colour - the paint is useless. It may have a crusty layer of mould with good paint below - but a really really bad odour and the pigments will have separated so the colour won't be any good.


    If it's a painted surface - water-based or laytex then 3 drops of oil of cloves in a 1 pint (600ml) squirt bottle and spray the surface. leave for a few hours or over night and rinse the dead mould off with clean water, if it doesn't work first time do it again and you may need vinegar and sodium-bicarbonate with an old tooth brush. then the clove oil spray, then rinse.

  • Sharon Guidry Sharon Guidry on Oct 17, 2017

    Location?

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Oct 17, 2017

    If you have mold in your paint, buy new paint. The mold you can't see will be painted in on the walls, or whatever your painting.

  • Carol Prim Carol Prim on Oct 18, 2017

    No you can't use it.. I his would be the equivalent of spoiled milk.

  • Marwen Marwen on Oct 23, 2020

    Paint thinner can remove oil-based paint from brushes and other equipment but only while the paint it still wet. Acetone is often the only solvent that is strong enough to dissolve paint after it has dried. Paint thinners should not be used with latex paints, shellac or lacquers. If you want to know more details about how to use paint thinner you may check that.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 02, 2022

    Where is the mold? If on the painted item, try using mold spray eg. Wet and Leave etc.

  • If the mold is in the paint, throw it out.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 21, 2023

    No! it will weaken the paint finish! Better to use product made for job!