Paint drips can be removed.
You tried to avoid it, but it happens to the best of us. Drips of paint have traveled from your paint project onto your hardwood floors, built-ins and banisters.The news is good, however. It's not too hard to remove paint drips from wood staircases, baseboards and trim, even if the paint is hard as a rock.
Wet Drips
The best way to remove wet paint drips is with a damp rag. Keep one handy at all times when you're painting. Stop frequently while painting to check the baseboards or other exposed surfaces nearby so you can remove drips without having to scrape them or use chemical removers later on.
Rubbing Alcohol
Use rubbing alcohol to remove a dried-on drip. First take a putty knife and very gently push it into the paint drip. Sometimes the drip will lift right off if it's thick enough. If it does loosen, pull it off and rub the area with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Or try a cloth dipped in a solution of warm water and a mild detergent.
Hair Dryer
For a thick, hardened drip, try softening it with a hair dryer. Set it on a low air flow but high heat setting. Hold it over the spot for a few seconds and check to see whether it softens enough to be scraped off. Remove it carefully with a putty knife to avoid scratching the surface. If there's any remaining paint, wrap a cloth over the putty knife and scrape it over the spot to remove any remnants.
Professional Removers
If you have an especially large and stubborn paint drip, try products that professional painters use. These are available at home improvement stores and come in a variety of applications, such as wipes and sprays. Two well-known products are Goof Off and Oops.
Oil Paint
If you're using oil paint, wipe up any wet drips with a damp cloth or a cloth dipped in solvents. If the paint drip has dried, soak it in boiled linseed oil until it softens. Rub the spot with a cloth soaked in linseed oil to remove any remaining paint, and wipe clean with a fresh cloth.
