Vlekkenzoekmachine
Removing varnish
Op deze pagina:
Eigenaar at James B.V.
Door het delen van deze blogs en informatie wil Martijn voorop blijven lopen met kennis over binnenmilieu, hygiëne, onderhoud en vlekverwijdering van tapijt, vloerkleed en meubels. Een bedrijf evenals de consument kan bij James terecht met vragen op het gebied van onderhoud en het verwijderen van vlekken uit tapijten, vloeren, vloerkleden of meubels.
Latest posts by Martijn Peters (see all)
Removing varnish
A stain of varnish appears faster than you think. When painting furniture, window frames or creative projects, it’s easy for a drop to land on your sofa, floor or carpet. Because varnish is designed to adhere for a long time, it forms a stubborn, sticky or dried-on stain that does not simply disappear.
The sooner you treat the stain, the greater the chance that you can remove it completely. If you allow the varnish to dry, a hard layer will form that can damage the surface. However, there is good news: in many cases, varnish stains can also be removed easily, provided you proceed with care. Below you can read about the best approach for each type of surface.
Voor deze vlekken geldt hetzelfde advies: Varnish
Characteristics (anatomy) of a varnish stain
Varnish consists of resin, solvents and colourants that together form a protective layer. Once varnish dries, it hardens and adheres strongly to the surface. This makes the stain particularly difficult to remove, especially when it comes to porous or soft materials. Textile fibres can stiffen, and hard floors can show dull spots or even a build-up of lacquer. If you try to scrub away a varnish stain, you run the risk of damaging the material. Early treatment prevents the varnish from hardening and becoming permanently stuck.
Removing varnish from carpet or rugs
Varnish and carpet do not go well together. As soon as the varnish touches the fibres, it adheres rapidly and forms a hard, shiny spot. Because carpets usually do not have a closed surface, the varnish easily settles between the fibres. When it hardens, you get a stubborn stain that can cause discolouration and damage.
Removing hardened varnish is a precise job. Scratching carelessly or using the wrong products can damage the carpet or spread the stain. It is important not to pull or cut the fibres.
If you are still dealing with wet varnish, quick action is your best bet. Carefully remove it without pushing it into the fibres. Then use a grease or paint remover that is safe for carpets. Only treat the stain and then dry it thoroughly so that no residue remains that could attract dirt.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Removing varnish from hard floors
A drop of varnish on your laminate, PVC or natural stone floor? Then every second counts. The varnish quickly forms a sticky spot or begins to adhere to the top layer. With laminate and vinyl, there is a risk that the protective layer will be damaged, and with natural stone, solvents can penetrate the surface.
If the varnish is not removed in time, it will dry into a hard spot that remains visible and damages the structure of the floor. You then run the risk of a difference in shine or permanent damage.
Try to absorb fresh varnish completely with a piece of cardboard or spoon, without smearing it. Then work only on the stain, using a suitable cleaner that does not pose a risk to your floor, such as James Remover. Sanding or scraping is not recommended: do not subject the material to more stress than necessary. Finish with a dry cloth to prevent any residue or dull spots from remaining.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover. Before use, always test the surface in an inconspicuous place for colour and material resistance: apply, leave to set for 5 minutes, wipe the tested area with water, allow to dry and assess.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Treatment with James Remover
This stain can be treated with James Remover. Before use, always test the surface in an inconspicuous place for colour and material resistance: apply, leave to set for 5 minutes, wipe the tested area with water, allow to dry and assess.
- Spray directly onto the purpose area
- Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
- Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
- If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
- After use, always clean the area with water.
Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.
Removing varnish from upholstery fabric
A varnish stain on a sofa or chair is difficult to remove, especially if you only discover it once it has dried. The varnish adheres to the top layer of the fabric and can form a hard or shiny spot there. In some cases, it even spreads to the filling, resulting in discolouration or stiffness.
With wet varnish, rapid removal is essential. Carefully scrape away excess varnish without smearing it. Do not rub – this will prevent the stain from spreading into the fibres.
Use a safe cleaning agent that is suitable for upholstery, preferably without solvents that could damage the fabric. Only treat the affected part of the upholstery and dry the fabric carefully afterwards. Has the stain already hardened? Do not simply allow it to harden, but consult a suitable product or expert advice before proceeding.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth
You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:
- Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
- Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
- Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
- Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.
James has been the leading specialist in maintenance and stain removal since 1927. With nearly 100 years of experience and a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we are your reliable partner in keeping your interior clean. Our products are not only effective, but also environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Try them today and experience the difference James can make for yourself!
Frequently asked questions and myths
There are all sorts of stories going around about how to remove these varnish stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.
Why are varnish stains so difficult to remove?
Varnish is designed to adhere to surfaces for a long period of time. It contains resins, binders and solvents that form a hard, protective layer when dry. When it lands in an undesirable place – such as on carpet, furniture or floors – it penetrates quickly and hardens. This makes it virtually impossible to remove with water or standard cleaning agents. Therefore, use our James Stainspray.
Is white spirit a good solution for varnish stains?
Turpentine can help with solvent-based varnishes (such as alkyd varnish), but it does not work with water-based or polyurethane varnishes. Furthermore, the use of turpentine is risky on many materials, as it can damage the top layer of floors or the colour of fabrics.
Can I remove varnish by heating it?
Heat can soften varnish on some hard surfaces, but this is not a safe method on textiles or delicate floors. The heat often spreads the stain further or damages the surface. This can lead to melting, dull spots or discolouration, especially on plastic or lacquered floors. The risk usually does not outweigh the potential outcome.
Why does a shiny spot remain, even when the varnish stain seems to have disappeared?
Even if you remove most of the varnish, a residual layer often remains that reflects light slightly differently from the surrounding surface. This causes a shiny, hard or sticky spot. This optical distortion is sometimes more difficult to remedy than the original stain. A follow-up treatment or surface refresh may be necessary to mask the difference.
Should I always have varnish stains removed professionally?
Not always, but it depends greatly on the surface and the type of varnish. For light, fresh stains on hard surfaces, you can tackle them yourself with a suitable product and a lot of patience. When varnish has hardened in carpets or on delicate floors, the risk of damage is greater, and professional cleaning can make the difference between repair and permanent damage.
Deal with any stain using the right approach from James
A varnish stain seems stubborn – and it is, if you wait too long. But with the right approach and safe products from James, you can remove even these stubborn paint stains without damaging your floor, upholstery or carpet. Swift action and the right advice make all the difference. Do it the smart way, and you won’t see a trace of it afterwards.