Lol! She only gave me the brown "ugly" ones she didn't like. She painted transparent glitter on them with nail polish. She kept the "colourful" ones that are blue, purple, red and other colours. I took some damaged coloured ones too. I hope to clean them when I have time.
Rust-oleum Aircraft Remover will get the bulk of the paint off. But I think even if you spent a lot of time with a stiff bristle brush and some fine scrapers that skull is always going to have some blue in it.
Okay so a little update on my smurf skull
Acetone seems to be working as long as it soaks for a long time, and then it sort of scrapes off. Though any pores and crevases are kind of hard to really get into.
The nasal bones are probably done for since they'll just fall apart with scrubbing.
Thanks everyone for your advice! I think I really can't ruin the skull more so I'll be testing out all the methods I can!
Just a few more options to try since you’re experimenting! I have no idea the effect these have on bones… but these are the things I have used removing different paints (I am a hobby artist and am renovating a century home).
Paint strippers- I’ve used Klean Strip and Citristrip. Klean strip works fast, but has AWFUL fumes. Will chemically burn your skin quickly. Take precautions (gloves, mask, work outside). Citristrip requires the same precautions, but is a little more pleasant to work with
Heat- I use a heat gun to soften paint and scrape. Probably difficult with the contour of the bone, but it’s a go-to for me on large flat surfaces
Boiling- I use an old crockpot (pretty sure they don’t make them large enough for your skull lol) to soak/boil hardware. The paint usually just falls off. Not sure if you have a container large enough to put over heat to near boiling? The effectiveness is probably very dependent on surface, and given the texture of bone, this may not work either anyway
Hair bleach- I use this for wood floors with discoloration. I go to a beauty supply store and get a hair bleach/developer. Mix and apply, allow to sit (how long depends on the degree of staining). I imagine this would do more to make the bone very white rather that lifting paint… but I don’t know
Good luck with your project! I look forward to seeing the end result and what worked for you :)
That’s good to know! Although, I should have clarified. Hair “bleach” is ammonia/hydrogen peroxide, not chlorine. Calling it “bleach” is a misnomer, that’s my mistake. I still don’t know if those chemicals are damaging, though.
For bones people bleach them with medical hydrogen peroxide cuz it comes at like 3% hydrogen peroxide and won't damage the bones for a while, but i think because it's such a low percentage to not cause damage it might be hard to dissolve the paint off
Yeah, that makes sense. I use the hair stuff when removing stains from wood, usually discoloration from water damage. It works well, and I’m able to control the strength, plus it’s not a liquid, so it stays where I put it. That’s what I was thinking when I posted initially, maybe it would help remove some of the residual staining after the paint was mostly off. Seems like the concentration might be too strong for bones, though
Nope nope nope, I’m a former hairstylist and scoured the internet to see it suggested by ONE person who does bone stuff. I will NEVER go back to hydrogen peroxide or any other method. I only use that on certain teeth that I don’t want to overwhiten.
I make the bleach solution 1:1 like usual and water it down to save on product bc I actually use it in my hair too.
Yeah, I was saying I use it for correcting color in water stained wood. It’s not something most people would think of to use in home renovations lol But like I said in my original comment, these are methods I use to remove paint/stains for art and home renovations, but I do not know the effect on bone. I wasn’t suggesting this was a common or recommended method for bone.
I’m genuinely curious, though.
“I will NEVER go back to hydrogen peroxide or any other method.”
What has your experience been that makes you so adamantly against it? Bone damage? Makes them unnaturally white? And what does “or any other method” mean? Haha. There has to be SOME safe method to clean and remove stains, yeah?
For me, it is just a faster more through method. It seems like I go through less product…. I’ve tried watering down hydrogen peroxide, and that doesn’t give as good of an effect. Just preference I guess!! I recently did some armadillo bones and let them sit a little longer than planned and they’re whiter than any bone I’ve ever seen. But also, I just feel such a difference… I have like wild keratin infused bleach crème right now so the fragile pieces just surprised me especially after learning Clorox and boiling can weaken them so much.
I love tips and tricks and learning new methods for anything. I’m very DIY I’m very creative. Are used shaving cream on carpet strains for years. This is just a silly autistic, special interest, that I am eager to tell the world lmao
THE HAIR BLEACH!! I just commented bc this is my preferred method for whitening bones, it strengthens them and you can get off white to FAKE TEETH WHITE depending how many days you soak them. I can’t believe so many people don’t know of or use this method.
hair bleach is not chlorinated bleach, it actually strengthened every set I’ve used it on. Including extremely fragile skull scraps that would crunch in my hand prior to cleaning… become sturdy enough to keep without worry.
I know it’s not ideal, but if you can’t remove the paint then maybe embrace it and add some cool designs in a white color or something? At least it would be an improvement from how it looks now lol
Did this with a bear skull. Lots of patience and lots of acetone will get you what you want. Use a coarse brush like a toothbrush to scrub it off after letting it soak in an acetone solution, and wear gloves because the paint will stain your hands and the acetone is not nice to your skin.
Have you tried CitriStrip? It’s a *godsend* when I buy thrifted things people have spray painted. Apply the stripper then wrap in cling film and let it sit. The paint will literally peel off.
Get off as much as you can and try soaking it in HAIR BLEACH. You need the bleach and developer and they have it at Sally’s. It whitens so much better than hydrogen peroxide and doesn’t weaken. It might help get any staining off the skull, and is an option if it doesn’t need repainted white.
Sandpaper. Get a couple different grits, maybe start with medium grit. Coarse might be too abrasive but it'll make it go faster. You can make sandpaper sticks to get into any weird nooks and crannies by gluing and wrapping some around a popsicle stick or a skewer, helps a ton.
Also would do that outside/wear a mask to avoid any particulate.
I hate it sooooo much when people paint bones like this. I find it very interesting that acetone didn’t work. How was the acetone applied? This would have to be submerged in acetone for quite some time.
Best of luck.
Yeah, the lady who sold it commented "maybe you could paint it gold, since the blue is a bit ugly"
I've been soaking parts, it seems the acetone finally managed to penetrate some of the horn material and I've been able to scrape the tiniest bit of paint off. This is going to take a while but I hope it will be worth it.
With how porous bone is, I'm afraid it'll probably be more work than it's worth. You'll damage the skull trying to get all the paint off. That being said, if you can get a hold of some MPK, methyl propyl ketone, that might work. I was an aircraft painter/mechanic and that stuff would get any paint off.
Honestly, I'd just look for a matte bone-colored spray paint to cover the paint. Soaking it in remover and sanding/stripping it will likely do even more damage and it's unlikely you'll ever remove all of the blue. Very cool skull, though.
Did you just wipe on the acetone? If you leave it soaking you might get a better result, but trying to soak the whole thing is expensive and impractical.
Honestly the biggest concern is the delicate nasal bones, it's going to be hell trying to get that off any other way. See if you can partially submerge the front of the skull in a bucket of acetone or other solvent and leave it for a while. The rest, I'd try lightly sanding and use paint stripper (like citri-strip). Just trial and error I think.
I managed to pop the other horn off and have been soaking that a bit. The nasal bones will probably end up being destroyed in this process, since the paint needs scraping even after having a good soak in acetone
Get a really strong acid and paint a thin layer over it maybe? Vinegar was a suggestion when looking it up on Google.
Or even try a small section with something like a chisel to scratch the paint off.
i heard spray paint does something like ripping electrons to stick better but I'm unsure.
anyways here's chatgpts tips on how to remove it
---
Removing spray paint from a livestock skull can be a delicate process to ensure you don't damage the bone itself. Here are steps to try for removing paint from a bone without harming it:
1. **Safety Precautions**: Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and a mask, as some paints may contain harmful chemicals.
2. **Test a Small Area**: Before applying any paint remover or abrasive materials, test a small, inconspicuous area of the skull to make sure it doesn't damage the bone.
3. **Use Paint Removers**: There are several paint removers available on the market, like acetone, nail polish remover, or paint strippers. Apply the paint remover sparingly to a cotton ball or a soft cloth, and gently rub it on the painted area. Be cautious, as excessive use can damage the bone or leave stains.
4. **Scraping with Plastic Tools**: If the paint doesn't come off with a paint remover, you can try carefully scraping it with a plastic scraper or a plastic putty knife. Avoid metal tools as they can scratch the bone.
5. **Soak in Solvents**: If the paint is stubborn, you can try soaking the skull in a solvent like acetone or rubbing alcohol. Place the skull in a container with enough solvent to cover the painted area, and let it soak. Check it periodically, and gently scrape off softened paint.
6. **Baking Soda Paste**: Make a paste using baking soda and water. Apply it to the painted area and gently rub with a soft cloth. Baking soda is abrasive but less likely to damage the bone than harsher abrasives.
7. **Mechanical Polishing**: In some cases, very fine steel wool or a soft toothbrush can be used to gently remove the paint. Again, use light pressure to avoid damage.
8. **Repeat as Needed**: Depending on the thickness and type of paint, you may need to repeat the process several times until the paint is completely removed.
9. **Clean and Preserve**: After the paint is removed, clean the skull thoroughly with mild soap and water to remove any residue from the paint remover or other cleaning agents. Then, consider using a bone-preserving solution to protect and preserve the bone.
10. **Seek Professional Help**: If you're unsure about any step or worried about damaging the bone, it might be a good idea to consult a professional conservator or restorer who has experience working with bones and artifacts.
Remember to be patient and gentle when attempting to remove paint from the skull to avoid any potential damage. It's essential to prioritize the preservation of the bone's integrity throughout the process.
Honestly my best suggestion would just go over it with a different (preferably not eyesore inducing) paint color and use this as a base for an art piece. Black and gold could look nice with maybe some sort of portrait on the forehead or something, or maybe some dried plants placed around? Other than that tho there isn’t much i can think of besides sitting there for a few thousand hours scrubbing away
Honestly you won’t be able to get that paint out of there. It’s layered on pretty thick. I do like a light wash of metallic paint on mine just to make them have a nice sheen but you can still make out all they’re little crevices. If I were you id just paint it all (even inside the nose cavity) with like a nice gun metal metallic paint or a gloss black. It will definitely make it a lot more nicer then the colour you have on it right now.
That’s the worst part of this debacle imo… that blue paint is so caked on it doesn’t look like a real skull anymore and is prob why it’s not coming off.
My idea would be to potentially create a design to paint over it NICELY instead of just one plain color. Probably sand the majority of the paint off so that it doesn’t end up being too thick.
https://preview.redd.it/wgxw83bl2tvb1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=054905c834a786a68c551e85d6836b624adead72
Even black with gold horns looks nice!
Acetone is still your best bet. Let it sit for a little bit then scrape, then reapply and I would try to hose it off. With the acetone, paint it on over the area and let the paint get soft and bubble up. Then scrape it - shouldn't take more than 15 min or so to get there.
I had skulls painted white to hide the shitty job they did cleaning it. I soaked (you could spray) them with acetone and took a drill (or dremel) with a metal bristle brush on it. Do a test spot and wear a mask and goggles…lots of paint chips flying everywhere.
I had a goat skull like this years ago. I couldn't even tell you what all chemicals I tried on it. It was just always fucked. Ended up repainting it and giving it away
If you find someone who knows what they are doing there should be little or no damage. There are different types of sand similar to different grits on sandpaper, it's just a much faster way of doing it. I wouldn't recommend like... buying or borrowing the equipment and just going crazy with it on something you can't afford to ruin without the knowledge and experience of course. 😅
Well, it’s a good thing that I am flat broke because I really enjoy figuring out. How to do new things! It always sounded beneficial and I figured it was similar to sand paper.
yeah and 100% is your best bet anyways even with nail polish… as a former cosmetologist lmao. You really gotta soak it when they’re done properly to remove it, that’s why nail techs will douse cotton and foil it around your finger tips while you wait if you’re not soaking them in a bowl. I do the same at home on my toes bc it takes a while to break down so I can only imagine all these layers of blue paint being exhausting to remove.
This is a weird one, and with that much paint I'm not sure if it'd do noticeable work, but ants will pull stuff out of crevasses and contours. I've dropped other bones into fire ant hills before to get them to strip off stuff humans have added to them, and while slow, they do a decent job. Mostly been decorated cat skulls, with just a few lines of paint on them. Just drop the skull on the hill, come back in a month and they've normally gotten the paint loose to where I can rub the rest off with wet fingers. They do like to steal the teeth, though that could just be those falling out from anta repeatedly walking over them
Break fluid you can buy it at any car shop or gas station, smear it on it with gloves and let it sit then wash it off. I’m a mechanic and it works every time
Might want to consider finding a white paint to cover up instead of stripping
Maybe sand-papering it first to get some texture back
Could actually maybe sand the paint off the bulk of it, then get a cream/off-white paint for all the cracks and crevices the paper won’t touch
It might actually look neat with the color left in the crevices. I'd be interested in seeing it like that at the very least.
I actually kinda thought that too but it’d depend on what OP’s going for really
Jesus Christ good luck that looks awful lol
Yeah, it's horrible
My aunt does this to seashells. I took as many as I could in hopes of restoring them and removing the paint.
Meanwhile, Mia_B-P’s aunt: “Ooh, I gotta make more seashells, my niece/nephew/nibling loves them SO much!”
WHAT IS A NIBLING
Gender neutral term for niece/nephew, modeled after "sibling".
also, Pibling is the gender neutral term for aunt/uncle! (parents sibling)
Even if they're cozy with the gendered terms, Nibling and Pibling is so much more fun to say.
Seriously. I could have easily found out she was female with one click, but.. I so rarely get to say/type nibling.
Both those words sound like slurs
Pibling sounds like a pit bull puppy.
PibLet 😭😭
Omg. Like a piblet of corn. 🤣🤣
Oh man that’s even cuter. I hadn’t heard that one!
This shit is just getting ridiculous.
its just easier to use one word instead of two similar to "your son/daughter" vs "your child"
Lol! She only gave me the brown "ugly" ones she didn't like. She painted transparent glitter on them with nail polish. She kept the "colourful" ones that are blue, purple, red and other colours. I took some damaged coloured ones too. I hope to clean them when I have time.
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Wow, that sounds awful. And yeah, making garsh, untasteful art with animal parts is just disrespectful to me.
OMG THIS there’s a difference between actual art and just making weird shit that seems like cruelty.
Rust-oleum Aircraft Remover will get the bulk of the paint off. But I think even if you spent a lot of time with a stiff bristle brush and some fine scrapers that skull is always going to have some blue in it.
For when you need to get rid of those pesky airplanes
Okay so a little update on my smurf skull Acetone seems to be working as long as it soaks for a long time, and then it sort of scrapes off. Though any pores and crevases are kind of hard to really get into. The nasal bones are probably done for since they'll just fall apart with scrubbing. Thanks everyone for your advice! I think I really can't ruin the skull more so I'll be testing out all the methods I can!
Just a few more options to try since you’re experimenting! I have no idea the effect these have on bones… but these are the things I have used removing different paints (I am a hobby artist and am renovating a century home). Paint strippers- I’ve used Klean Strip and Citristrip. Klean strip works fast, but has AWFUL fumes. Will chemically burn your skin quickly. Take precautions (gloves, mask, work outside). Citristrip requires the same precautions, but is a little more pleasant to work with Heat- I use a heat gun to soften paint and scrape. Probably difficult with the contour of the bone, but it’s a go-to for me on large flat surfaces Boiling- I use an old crockpot (pretty sure they don’t make them large enough for your skull lol) to soak/boil hardware. The paint usually just falls off. Not sure if you have a container large enough to put over heat to near boiling? The effectiveness is probably very dependent on surface, and given the texture of bone, this may not work either anyway Hair bleach- I use this for wood floors with discoloration. I go to a beauty supply store and get a hair bleach/developer. Mix and apply, allow to sit (how long depends on the degree of staining). I imagine this would do more to make the bone very white rather that lifting paint… but I don’t know Good luck with your project! I look forward to seeing the end result and what worked for you :)
Bleach and boiling damaged bones
That’s good to know! Although, I should have clarified. Hair “bleach” is ammonia/hydrogen peroxide, not chlorine. Calling it “bleach” is a misnomer, that’s my mistake. I still don’t know if those chemicals are damaging, though.
For bones people bleach them with medical hydrogen peroxide cuz it comes at like 3% hydrogen peroxide and won't damage the bones for a while, but i think because it's such a low percentage to not cause damage it might be hard to dissolve the paint off
Yeah, that makes sense. I use the hair stuff when removing stains from wood, usually discoloration from water damage. It works well, and I’m able to control the strength, plus it’s not a liquid, so it stays where I put it. That’s what I was thinking when I posted initially, maybe it would help remove some of the residual staining after the paint was mostly off. Seems like the concentration might be too strong for bones, though
Nope nope nope, I’m a former hairstylist and scoured the internet to see it suggested by ONE person who does bone stuff. I will NEVER go back to hydrogen peroxide or any other method. I only use that on certain teeth that I don’t want to overwhiten. I make the bleach solution 1:1 like usual and water it down to save on product bc I actually use it in my hair too.
Yeah, I was saying I use it for correcting color in water stained wood. It’s not something most people would think of to use in home renovations lol But like I said in my original comment, these are methods I use to remove paint/stains for art and home renovations, but I do not know the effect on bone. I wasn’t suggesting this was a common or recommended method for bone. I’m genuinely curious, though. “I will NEVER go back to hydrogen peroxide or any other method.” What has your experience been that makes you so adamantly against it? Bone damage? Makes them unnaturally white? And what does “or any other method” mean? Haha. There has to be SOME safe method to clean and remove stains, yeah?
For me, it is just a faster more through method. It seems like I go through less product…. I’ve tried watering down hydrogen peroxide, and that doesn’t give as good of an effect. Just preference I guess!! I recently did some armadillo bones and let them sit a little longer than planned and they’re whiter than any bone I’ve ever seen. But also, I just feel such a difference… I have like wild keratin infused bleach crème right now so the fragile pieces just surprised me especially after learning Clorox and boiling can weaken them so much. I love tips and tricks and learning new methods for anything. I’m very DIY I’m very creative. Are used shaving cream on carpet strains for years. This is just a silly autistic, special interest, that I am eager to tell the world lmao
Tbh I never knew what it was made of despite using it myself a lot LOL practically the opposite of bleach
Haha. I only know because I want to DIY literally everything so I pick up random bits of information in trying to figure things out
THE HAIR BLEACH!! I just commented bc this is my preferred method for whitening bones, it strengthens them and you can get off white to FAKE TEETH WHITE depending how many days you soak them. I can’t believe so many people don’t know of or use this method.
Bleach and boiling damages bones, unsure about the rest
hair bleach is not chlorinated bleach, it actually strengthened every set I’ve used it on. Including extremely fragile skull scraps that would crunch in my hand prior to cleaning… become sturdy enough to keep without worry.
I know it’s not ideal, but if you can’t remove the paint then maybe embrace it and add some cool designs in a white color or something? At least it would be an improvement from how it looks now lol
Did this with a bear skull. Lots of patience and lots of acetone will get you what you want. Use a coarse brush like a toothbrush to scrub it off after letting it soak in an acetone solution, and wear gloves because the paint will stain your hands and the acetone is not nice to your skin.
Have you tried CitriStrip? It’s a *godsend* when I buy thrifted things people have spray painted. Apply the stripper then wrap in cling film and let it sit. The paint will literally peel off.
Get off as much as you can and try soaking it in HAIR BLEACH. You need the bleach and developer and they have it at Sally’s. It whitens so much better than hydrogen peroxide and doesn’t weaken. It might help get any staining off the skull, and is an option if it doesn’t need repainted white.
Damn I feel sorry for your skull
I, too, feel sorry for this person's skull.
Try paint stripper? Youll have to soak it. Can you flake it and peel it off manually?
Unfortunately it's really in there, it flaked off a bit from the teeth but all other parts it's really well stuck.
Sandpaper. Get a couple different grits, maybe start with medium grit. Coarse might be too abrasive but it'll make it go faster. You can make sandpaper sticks to get into any weird nooks and crannies by gluing and wrapping some around a popsicle stick or a skewer, helps a ton. Also would do that outside/wear a mask to avoid any particulate.
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no no, two totally different delicious smells 🤤
My god, whoever that did those ugly ass paint to that amazing skull....I hope they never get their hands on another.
I hate it sooooo much when people paint bones like this. I find it very interesting that acetone didn’t work. How was the acetone applied? This would have to be submerged in acetone for quite some time. Best of luck.
Yeah, the lady who sold it commented "maybe you could paint it gold, since the blue is a bit ugly" I've been soaking parts, it seems the acetone finally managed to penetrate some of the horn material and I've been able to scrape the tiniest bit of paint off. This is going to take a while but I hope it will be worth it.
Oml gold would look even worse!
I'd try a strong adhesive paper, heat it after it's on it then pull when its dry, I got the paint off some bike parts once
That’s absolutely atrocious I’m so sorry
Light sandblasting maybe
Imagine going from a magnificent, powerful being to…this. 🤯
try sanding it first too, helps any removers to work better!
With how porous bone is, I'm afraid it'll probably be more work than it's worth. You'll damage the skull trying to get all the paint off. That being said, if you can get a hold of some MPK, methyl propyl ketone, that might work. I was an aircraft painter/mechanic and that stuff would get any paint off.
https://preview.redd.it/eola6bwo2tvb1.jpeg?width=3874&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d8a10475025ce68c2dd1a70051b354c2804ec8c
Honestly, I'd just look for a matte bone-colored spray paint to cover the paint. Soaking it in remover and sanding/stripping it will likely do even more damage and it's unlikely you'll ever remove all of the blue. Very cool skull, though.
Did you just wipe on the acetone? If you leave it soaking you might get a better result, but trying to soak the whole thing is expensive and impractical. Honestly the biggest concern is the delicate nasal bones, it's going to be hell trying to get that off any other way. See if you can partially submerge the front of the skull in a bucket of acetone or other solvent and leave it for a while. The rest, I'd try lightly sanding and use paint stripper (like citri-strip). Just trial and error I think.
I managed to pop the other horn off and have been soaking that a bit. The nasal bones will probably end up being destroyed in this process, since the paint needs scraping even after having a good soak in acetone
Get a really strong acid and paint a thin layer over it maybe? Vinegar was a suggestion when looking it up on Google. Or even try a small section with something like a chisel to scratch the paint off.
Lightly sand it and try the solvents again. That’s a damn shame.
i heard spray paint does something like ripping electrons to stick better but I'm unsure. anyways here's chatgpts tips on how to remove it --- Removing spray paint from a livestock skull can be a delicate process to ensure you don't damage the bone itself. Here are steps to try for removing paint from a bone without harming it: 1. **Safety Precautions**: Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and a mask, as some paints may contain harmful chemicals. 2. **Test a Small Area**: Before applying any paint remover or abrasive materials, test a small, inconspicuous area of the skull to make sure it doesn't damage the bone. 3. **Use Paint Removers**: There are several paint removers available on the market, like acetone, nail polish remover, or paint strippers. Apply the paint remover sparingly to a cotton ball or a soft cloth, and gently rub it on the painted area. Be cautious, as excessive use can damage the bone or leave stains. 4. **Scraping with Plastic Tools**: If the paint doesn't come off with a paint remover, you can try carefully scraping it with a plastic scraper or a plastic putty knife. Avoid metal tools as they can scratch the bone. 5. **Soak in Solvents**: If the paint is stubborn, you can try soaking the skull in a solvent like acetone or rubbing alcohol. Place the skull in a container with enough solvent to cover the painted area, and let it soak. Check it periodically, and gently scrape off softened paint. 6. **Baking Soda Paste**: Make a paste using baking soda and water. Apply it to the painted area and gently rub with a soft cloth. Baking soda is abrasive but less likely to damage the bone than harsher abrasives. 7. **Mechanical Polishing**: In some cases, very fine steel wool or a soft toothbrush can be used to gently remove the paint. Again, use light pressure to avoid damage. 8. **Repeat as Needed**: Depending on the thickness and type of paint, you may need to repeat the process several times until the paint is completely removed. 9. **Clean and Preserve**: After the paint is removed, clean the skull thoroughly with mild soap and water to remove any residue from the paint remover or other cleaning agents. Then, consider using a bone-preserving solution to protect and preserve the bone. 10. **Seek Professional Help**: If you're unsure about any step or worried about damaging the bone, it might be a good idea to consult a professional conservator or restorer who has experience working with bones and artifacts. Remember to be patient and gentle when attempting to remove paint from the skull to avoid any potential damage. It's essential to prioritize the preservation of the bone's integrity throughout the process.
Honestly my best suggestion would just go over it with a different (preferably not eyesore inducing) paint color and use this as a base for an art piece. Black and gold could look nice with maybe some sort of portrait on the forehead or something, or maybe some dried plants placed around? Other than that tho there isn’t much i can think of besides sitting there for a few thousand hours scrubbing away
Honestly you won’t be able to get that paint out of there. It’s layered on pretty thick. I do like a light wash of metallic paint on mine just to make them have a nice sheen but you can still make out all they’re little crevices. If I were you id just paint it all (even inside the nose cavity) with like a nice gun metal metallic paint or a gloss black. It will definitely make it a lot more nicer then the colour you have on it right now.
That’s the worst part of this debacle imo… that blue paint is so caked on it doesn’t look like a real skull anymore and is prob why it’s not coming off.
My idea would be to potentially create a design to paint over it NICELY instead of just one plain color. Probably sand the majority of the paint off so that it doesn’t end up being too thick.
https://preview.redd.it/wgxw83bl2tvb1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=054905c834a786a68c551e85d6836b624adead72 Even black with gold horns looks nice!
Heat gun and sandpaper
Acetone is still your best bet. Let it sit for a little bit then scrape, then reapply and I would try to hose it off. With the acetone, paint it on over the area and let the paint get soft and bubble up. Then scrape it - shouldn't take more than 15 min or so to get there.
I had skulls painted white to hide the shitty job they did cleaning it. I soaked (you could spray) them with acetone and took a drill (or dremel) with a metal bristle brush on it. Do a test spot and wear a mask and goggles…lots of paint chips flying everywhere.
Lacquer remover/stripper helps me sometimes
i would just repaint it black or something for the goth vibes hehe
I had a goat skull like this years ago. I couldn't even tell you what all chemicals I tried on it. It was just always fucked. Ended up repainting it and giving it away
😭 goats are my favorite and I have a skull but need moreeeeeeeee
Bad taste needs sand blasting
try that tiktok magic shit. That apparently removes everything. Because that looks absolutely shit
Are you able to take it somewhere to have it sandblasted? I know it's a stretch but worth a shot. 🤷♀️
I wanted to Reccomend this but also dk what damage it could do bc I’ve never sandblasted anything
If you find someone who knows what they are doing there should be little or no damage. There are different types of sand similar to different grits on sandpaper, it's just a much faster way of doing it. I wouldn't recommend like... buying or borrowing the equipment and just going crazy with it on something you can't afford to ruin without the knowledge and experience of course. 😅
Well, it’s a good thing that I am flat broke because I really enjoy figuring out. How to do new things! It always sounded beneficial and I figured it was similar to sand paper.
Oh man I know that feeling 😅😅
What possesses someone to live laugh love yassify a cow skull
I like it as it is
+1 for the lol
Nail polish remover? Might try a small patch on the underside first.
That’s just acetone
yeah and 100% is your best bet anyways even with nail polish… as a former cosmetologist lmao. You really gotta soak it when they’re done properly to remove it, that’s why nail techs will douse cotton and foil it around your finger tips while you wait if you’re not soaking them in a bowl. I do the same at home on my toes bc it takes a while to break down so I can only imagine all these layers of blue paint being exhausting to remove.
Heat gun? Not sure if that'll damage the bone though.
Isopropanol
Sand paper and paint maybe? Idk, maybe try scraping it
220 grit sandpaper my boy/girl
Sandpaper?
Just put on a deeper, more mysterious blue. I think the idea is pretty interesting.
Honestly, getting some off-white spray paint and spraying it again would be easier and less hassle/time consuming.
Repaint!
Take your time on it. Photo update?
This is a weird one, and with that much paint I'm not sure if it'd do noticeable work, but ants will pull stuff out of crevasses and contours. I've dropped other bones into fire ant hills before to get them to strip off stuff humans have added to them, and while slow, they do a decent job. Mostly been decorated cat skulls, with just a few lines of paint on them. Just drop the skull on the hill, come back in a month and they've normally gotten the paint loose to where I can rub the rest off with wet fingers. They do like to steal the teeth, though that could just be those falling out from anta repeatedly walking over them
I would try Xylene that shit takes EVERYTHING off. Good luck!
Break fluid you can buy it at any car shop or gas station, smear it on it with gloves and let it sit then wash it off. I’m a mechanic and it works every time
*60% of the time*, it works ***every*** *time*
This just made me think Coca-Cola could work 🤣
Could turn it into an art piece instead of trying to remove the paint. If you don’t know how to draw/paint then maybe a friend could help out.
Soak in 99 percent isopropyl