How to Remove Paint Stains from Plastic & Tupperware

Check the can first to see whether the paint is water-based or oil-based, because that decides the wash. Water-based paint that is still wet comes off with warm water and mild soap, so start there.

If the paint has dried, the alcohol dab is the next option, but test it on a hidden spot first. If the plastic itself is clear acrylic, such as plexiglass, leave the alcohol out entirely.

Bumpers and trim are painted, so start with the blot-and-scrape step on any wet paint, then the warm soapy wash. Keep the wash gentle and let the soap do the work.

For paint on a car's body panels, the Car Paint & Exterior guide covers the finish itself, and the Dashboard & Car Plastic guide covers interior trim. Stick to the plastic part of the car here.

Chalk paint may not behave like latex, so don't assume latex advice applies. Check the can to see whether it's water-based or oil-based, since that decides which steps apply.

Start with the warm soapy wash and watch how the paint responds, then test any solvent on a hidden spot before using it. If the coating is glossy or clear, avoid alcohol on the whole surface and work only on the mark.

Plexiglass is acrylic, so leave out the alcohol and any solvent, and stick to warm water and mild soap on a soft cloth. Work gently, since rubbing can leave marks on clear plastic.

For polycarbonate or another clear plastic whose type you don't know, use the same gentle wash and hold off on alcohol until a hidden-spot test shows the plastic is safe. If you can't tell what the plastic is, don't guess; the warm wash is the safe choice.

Outdoor PVC and vinyl get the same wet-paint steps: blot, then wash with warm water and mild soap. Keep the cleaning to small sections so the soap doesn't dry on the frame.

Large areas of siding are better handled under the Siding, Roof & Exterior guide, where the whole surface is covered. For window frames, work through the paint in small spots and check each one before moving on.

Fresh splatter or overspray that is still wet comes off with the blot-and-scrape step and then the warm soapy wash. Scuffs and transfer marks from another surface often respond to the wash alone, so try that before anything else.

Dried overspray is a harder case, so test the alcohol on a hidden spot and use it only on the mark itself, not the whole panel. Keep the spoon for thick spots and leave thin film alone.

Small parts can't take a soaking, so put the cotton ball on the paint rather than dunking the piece. Work one area at a time so the wash doesn't run into seams or decals.

If the paint is oil-based, use the thinner the label recommends and test it on a hidden spot first. For RC bodies, treat a clear shell as clear plastic and skip the alcohol until you know it's safe.

Toys, signs and furniture usually take the same warm soapy wash, and the rounded spoon works for thick paint. Plastic sinks belong to the Sinks guide, and plastic toilet seats to the Toilets guide, where the finish needs extra care.

For plush toys, go to the Stuffed Animals & Toys guide instead, since soaking plush is a different job. Toys that children put in their mouths should be washed with warm water only, rinsed well, and dried before use.

Silicone phone cases can't take window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosols, solvents, ammonia or abrasives, so warm water and mild soap are the only safe start. Wipe the paint gently and let the case dry fully before using it again.

If paint stays after the wash, stop rather than trying a solvent on the silicone. For the phone itself, the Electronics & Screens guide covers the screen and body.