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Cleaning stencils

A constant question in using stencils is how to clean them. Here is what I do ......
Put the stencils in warm shallow water filled sink
Get a steel wool pad
Start scrubbing till all the acrylic is off
Thats it
The hard part is catching the solid acrylic paint before it goes down the drain......
a good sink strainer is all you need here.

Comments

Camille said…
I find that using hand sanitizer works great and no scrubbing. I might have to use my finger to rub a little but I can't imagine using steel wool on it.
I buy big bottle at the Dollar store.
May 7, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Camille said…
My Bad. I thought you were talking about the plate itself. Good idea for the stencils.
May 7, 2013 at 9:12 AM
Anna said…
I just soak mine overnight in a dishpan of Dawn Dishwashing liquid.(The foamy oxygenated pump)
I leave them overnight and then the next morning most of the paint just rubs right off and the rest I can rub right off with my fingers.
May 7, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Maryjo McGraw said…
Unfortunately for me I am not the only one using my stencils LOL so I need a little more scrub on mine!
Hand sanitizer work also because of the alcohol...you could soak really tough ones in alcohol alone but usually just a soapy water soak works too.
May 7, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Anonymous said…
By all means, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a bottle of Krud Kutter! It sprays on, and you let it sit for a few minutes. rub gently to remove(and not damage the stencil)and rinse! Also great on those paintbrushes that don't get rinsed and get all hardened!
May 7, 2013 at 10:19 AM
JoelMcBride said…
What?! Cleaning stencils - am I supposed to do that?!!
May 7, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Maryjo McGraw said…
only if you want to Joel!
May 7, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Maryjo McGraw said…
BTW there is no damage to the stencils when using steel wool.
May 7, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Anonymous said…
Put a coffee filter into the drain basket before putting the stopper in so it will catch the paint. I have septic so that's what I do with any paint washing in any sink.
May 7, 2013 at 11:23 PM
Maryjo McGraw said…
I love that coffee filter idea!
May 8, 2013 at 6:48 AM
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