How To Clean A Paint Palette

How to clean a paint palette

Having a clean workspace is essential for all artists. That’s why we’ve brought you the ultimate guide on how to clean a paint palette. This is a simple yet essential practice that can make a world of difference in your creative journey. Don't worry, we're here to make it easy and enjoyable for you. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of cleaning wooden, acrylic, and oil paint palettes. Get ready to say goodbye to stubborn paint stains and hello to a fresh, ready-to-use paint palette!

Overview:

What you’ll need
How to clean a wooden paint palette
How to clean an acrylic paint palette
How to clean an oil paint palette FAQS

How to clean a paint palette - 3 ways

What you’ll need to clean a paint palette

To effectively clean your paint palette, make sure you have the following supplies on hand.

Warm water

Palette Knife or scraper

Mild soap or dish detergent

A soft brush or sponge

A clean cloth

How to clean a wooden paint palette

Wooden paint palettes are lightweight and perfect for intricate painting but can be tough to clean. Follow these steps to learn how to clean a wooden palette:

1. Scrape off any excess paint using a palette knife or scraper.

2. Dip your brush or sponge into the warm soapy water and gently scrub the palette's surface. Pay extra attention to the crevices and corners.

3. Rinse the palette thoroughly with clean water, ensuring all soap residue is removed. Pat it dry with a clean cloth, and allow it to air dry completely before using it again.

How to clean an acrylic paint palette

Acrylic painting is a blast! But the clean up, not so much. Follow these steps to learn how to remove dried paint off a plastic palette:

1. Use a palette knife or scraper to remove any excess acrylic paint from the palette.

2. Wet the palette surface with water to prevent the paint from drying too quickly.

3. With a palette knife, gently scrape away the remaining paint, starting from the edges and working your way inward.

4. Take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe the palette surface to remove any leftover paint. Rinse the cloth regularly for effective cleaning.

5. Once clean, ensure the palette is completely dry before using it for your next painting session.

How to clean an oil paint palette

Because oil paint is not water-based, it cannot be cleaned with water. Follow these steps for cleaning oil paint off a palette:

1. Remove the majority of the oil paint off the paint palette with a palette knife.

2. Use a piece of paper towel or cloth to wipe the remaining excess oil paint off the palette.

3. Using a paint brush cleaner, such as turpentine or another oil paint cleaner, moisten a cloth and gently wipe the palette to dissolve the remaining paint. (CAUTION: when using highly flammable solvents, wear the appropriate protective wear such as gloves).

4. Rinse the palette with water after all the oil paint is gone.

5. After cleaning, let the palette air dry completely before its next use.

Find all your painting supplies at Art to Art

There you have it! You’ve mastered the art of palette cleaning and restored your palette back to its prime. A clean palette is like a fresh canvas, open for opportunity. Art to Art has a variety of art supplies to help you achieve your full artist potential from artist inks and watercolour paints to painting paper, paint brush sets and more. There is something for everyone! Shop today and receive same-day dispatch before 11 am. Australia-wide free shipping over $100.

How to clean a paint palette: FAQS

What can I do with leftover acrylic paint on the palette?

If the paint is not mixed, you can use a palette knife to put it back into your paint pot to save it for another time. If the paint is mixed, you may choose to save it in a small air-sealed container with a wet paper towel or moist sponge to keep the paint hydrated for a few hours.

How often should you clean your paint palette?

Cleaning your paint palette regularly is essential for maintaining the quality of your artwork. As a general guideline, it's recommended to clean your palette at the end of each painting session. This helps to avoid the paint from drying and becoming stubborn on your palette.

Can you leave a paint palette overnight?

It all depends on the paint you use. Oil paint has a slow drying process so you can cover the top of your paint palette with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge overnight to slow down the rate of oxidation. Acrylic paints ,however, are fast-drying, so you may want to try using techniques such as spraying the paint with water to keep them moist. However, because they dehydrate quickly, it’s likely they won’t stay wet overnight.