How to Get Polyurethane Off Hands & Skin? – Oil / Waterborne

Although polyurethane can produce excellent results for your project, it’s not that much skin friendly. It is capable of sticking and never letting go, making it suitable for tough tasks. Once it’s dried on your hand, it may not be easy to get rid of it!

How To Get Polyurethane Off Hands

Rub your hands with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to get polyurethane off. Soy-based polyurethane stripper is another similar. But, if you want natural ingredient, peanut butter, vegetable oil, or olive oil & salt can remove polyurethane successfully. Whatever stuff you apply, wash both of your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water finally.

How to Remove Oil-Based Polyurethane from Hands

1. Get some mineral spirit. Even if you’re using the odorless type, be sure the space is sufficiently aired. Whether you’ve polyurethane spots only or across your body, take the precaution.
2. To soften the oil-based poly, put sufficient amount of mineral spirits on your hand and rub your both hands gently.
3. Because mineral spirits are corrosive, wash your hands after a minute or two with warm water. Reapply the mineral spirits if the stickiness persists.
4. Lather your hands with dish soap and water and thoroughly wash them. The remaining polyurethane and  mineral spirits on your hands, if any, will be removed this way.
5. Rinse your hands with warm water once more. Apply baby oil or a moisturizer after drying your hands with a soft cloth.

How to Remove Water-Based Polyurethane from Hands

1. Wash your hands with dish soap and a drop of water.
2. You might also scrape the tacky varnish off with your fingernail. If your hands have dried polyurethane on them, immerse them in soapy water (a few minutes should be enough). Alternatively, break it off your hands with rubbing alcohol or acetone nail paint remover. This step might not be necessary if the poly isn’t firmly settled on your skin yet.
3. Thoroughly rinse your hands with warm water.
4. Using hand lotion, dry and moisturize your hands.

Is Polyurethane Safe on Skin?

The chemicals in polyurethane are generally safe for contact with the skin, but in some cases they might cause allergic reactions and dermatitis in some people. Symptoms include skin itching, rash, and even abrasions. Irritation of eyes and throat is another common one. They can also cause dizziness and headaches in people who are allergic to certain substances. Exposure can even result in respiratory problems, such as occupational asthma and lung diseases beyond the skin irritation only. People with these allergies should always take precautions when applying or using polyurethane.

How to Avoid Getting Polyurethane on Your Hand?

Here are some tips to avoid contact of polyurethane to your hands and skin:

• When applying the substance with a brush or roller, put on rubber gloves (the kind that comes in contact with the skin are best).

• Keep the container far from your body while applying and go in that direction. Keep in mind that even after initial application, polyurethane will remain wet and sticky for some time.

• Before your clothing dry, wipe off any spills to prevent them from sticking to the fabric. Change your clothes as soon as you’re through, or at the very least, wash them separately until the polyurethane stops making them tacky.

• Work in setup with good ventilation, and keep all pets away from your workspace. Pets like to chew on shoes and furniture, and they can become seriously ill if they are exposed to the vapors of polyurethane repeatedly or eat little amounts of the substance.

• If more ventilation is required, install an exhaust fan or open windows while using this product in your workshop.

• When not in use, keep polyurethane in sealed containers to prevent it from drying out and losing its functionality.

• Reduce yellowing over time by using polyurethane thickener with water-based solutions. This is available at your neighborhood hardware or building supply store.

• For immediate poly cleanup, keep a container of mineral spirits or paint thinner. Run it (mineral spirits) on dried spills of polyurethane before they fully settle on your skin to make it easier to wipe them away and prevent them from forming an excessive surface bond with the substance they are on. Before utilizing or storing the goods you’ve just cleaned, give them time to dry.

How Does Rubbing Alcohol Help?

Rubbing your hands with isopropyl alcohol will help break down the tough chemicals of polyurethane settled on your hands or skin. But, rubbing alcohol may feel hard on your skin, so you should be gentle and thorough, but prompt at the same time.

Is It Bad to Get Mineral Spirits on Your Hands?

According to studies conducted on humans, mineral spirits can cause mild to moderate skin irritation. Prolonged or recurrent exposure, especially when evaporation (from the skin) is inhibited, can cause severe irritating dermatitis.

Mineral spirits are used for a wide variety of purposes, including cleaning and degreasing. They are extremely effective, but they are also hazardous when handled improperly. Mineral spirits should never be sprayed or poured directly onto skin. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when handling them.

When using mineral spirits, always test it on a small area first. This solvent may break plastic containers. If you do not have any containers, you can donate them to local schools or to your local council office. Mineral spirits can also be used to clean brushes, sticky tape, or price tags on glassware. It can also be used to remove scratches from linoleum floors.

Mineral spirits are a handy product for DIYers and woodworkers. They thin out oil-based paints and can be used to remove stubborn paint from brushes and rollers, and even from skin. They’re also useful for basic cleaning and tidying in the shop. However, it’s best to keep mineral spirit in a separate container so that it won’t be accidentally mixed with other materials. The chemicals in mineral spirits can be hazardous when mixed improperly, and you should always dispose of them properly.

Another use for mineral spirits is as a solvent. It can be used to clean paintbrushes, but you should avoid repeated contact with the product. Wear rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. If you’re using mineral spirits to remove oil-based paints, you should use a barrier cream to prevent it from seeping into the pores. Then, you can use a commercial hand cleaner to remove the remaining paint.