How do I clean the palette that I am using to mix oil paints??

Question

I just started painting with water-mixable oil paints. Getting the paint from my brushes is a breeze (comes out with soap & water). The palette?? Not so simple. I can't seem to clean it completely. Other than using turpentine (which aggravates my asthma), is there anything I can use to get the wooden palette completely clean?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, once the water-miscible oils dry, they're no longer washable with soap and water.

If I were you, I'd stay away from anything with a skull-and-crossbones on it, including "odorless" solvents. Try one of the orange/citrus oil thinners like Citri-Thin or Turpenoid Natural - they are non-toxic and work great at removing hardened paint from palette & brushes. It also leaves an oily finish on wood that makes it easier to clean later.

I use water-miscible oils with a plastic palette, and that's much easier to clean. You could try that, or a melamine board, or an enamel butcher tray. They clean up nicely with an abrasive dishwashing sponge.

have fun!

Answer 2

I mix my paint on old junk mail. Can you try other solvents, like linseed. mineral spirit, turpenoid, alcohol, or even nail polish remover. Oh wait your using a wooden palette. Its nearly impossible, because the oil soaks into the wood. Try plastic or cover you palette with wax paper. You could still try using any of the solvents above to see if you can get it clean.

Answer 3

Why do you feel you need to clean it completely? Scrape it as dry as you can with a broad palette knife and just allow it to dry with whatever is left on it. If you are using a lot of paint and need to clean it in session use more than one palette.

Answer 4

i use lacquer thinner, but you may want a friend to do it for u because of your asthma...sometimes it is just easier to replace the pallet, then i paint them with a couple of good coats of polyurethane or epoxy resins, let it set up a couple of days, and voila(!) you have a slick surface that is easily cleaned with a rag or paper towel, (and scraped off, if necessary). there is also an odourless mineral spirits, which may not be as agrivating to your asthma, it is more expencive than the other but it seems to work as well on wet or semi-dried paints (nothing works on fully dried paint except lacquer thinner, and that will really agrivate asthma).

Answer 5

Did you try soap and water? What about house cleaning products which are made to clean stains on wood. There are many available in the stores. Check with your art supply store, too. They might have something.

Answer 6

You can try cleaning your pallette with turpentine and rag, but you have to scrape those extra paint first with a pallette knife and try not to let your paint dry for several days, that way you can always maintain it.

Answer 7

I use wax paper and attach it to my palette. When I'm done I just throw it away.

Answer 8

Linseed oil

Answer 9

i used vegetable oil to scrub it and then ran it under water scrubbing it and let it air dry.. i dont know it thats how your supposed to do it but thats hwo ive always done it

Answer 10

You could try Petrolium Distate (sold in US as "Goof-Off").