Help me save these pants please.

3boymthr

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
5,809
Oldest DS went for his OA (Boy Scouts Honor Society) ordeal at the Council Summer Camp this past weekend. As part of his ordeal all the kids have to do some community service and help prepare the camp for winter. The members of his team had to paint some buildings with outdoor oil paint. Why, I don't know but he was wearing his good zip off Scout Pants. :rolleyes1 Anyway, new Scout Pants will cost me $40+ to replace plus the time and effort of re-hemming since they don't come hemmed. :sad2: He's going to need new pants within the year because he is growing, but since he needs them in a week for their COH I'd love to save these and then be able to gradually set aside the money for new pants.

While I have a possible solution (Greased Lightning) it's been known to ruin fabric. If anyone knows of a possible way to clean these pants I would love to hear it. The paint and pants are green both green just different shades of green and the paint is high gloss and really stiff vs the pants which are soft and dull green so they solution to remove the paint doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to get out the gloss, stiffness and most of the color.

The part that really kills me about all of this all the other kids except his group of ten were assigned to clearing trails, sweeping out buildings, packing up tents, etc. :headache:
 
Since it's oil-based paint, I would use either turpentine or rubbing alcohol.. blot the spots to get them to dissolve, then wash with soap and water afterward.
 
Not sure if it is the same but I sure Dawn on all my grease/oil stains. I pour on and roll up, and wash 24 hours later. Everything has always come out.
 
I just got this email today. maybe it will work, try WD-40. Couldn't hurt.


What is the main ingredient of WD-40?



Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is? Don't lie and don't cheat. WD-40. Who knew; I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do.... probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew? 'Water Displacement #40'. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound.. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you... When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top ... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

WD-40 uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8.. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps Ceramic/Terra Cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly..
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...
22.. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open..
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida ’s favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites.. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

P.S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.





=
 

I would maybe give Simple Green a try!

It's very friendly on fabrics from my experience and has never ruined or discolored anything I tied it on.

I've had a lot of luck with the product - plus it isn't very expensive - so give it a try!

It may not be harsh enough, but worth a try.

Next - you should try Deep Woods Off (the really tough stuff meant to keep ticks and other deep woods bugs...OFF) Growing up - My brother accidentally stripped our coffee table of its finish by putting his leg up on the table to spray it on before he went out to play one evening.... don't ask why he used the coffee table.... :lmao:

Even he wasn't sure!

What I do know is that he learned how to refinish furniture that summer! :rotfl2:
 
Zip-off Scout pants? They must be a relatively new item at the Scout Shops. They don't sound like Class A uniform quality to me. Are they suitable for a Court of Honor?

One of the above ideas will surely work. If not, does your troop have some sort of exchange where outgrown uniform parts are handed down to those who can use them? Or maybe you can ask around for a loaner pair of pants until you can replace or augment your son's wardrobe. Sometimes uniform parts turn up in consignment shops or thrift shops as well. You could call around and ask.

My boys always had at least two of everything at a time except the Class A shirt. I altered quite a few pairs of pants, letting out or taking in the back seams and shortening them.

Perhaps your Arrowman thought he was using latex paint and that it would wash out easily. He knows better now.
 
Oil stains often have to be "re-activated". If I get any kind of an oil stain on my clothes, and it doesn't come out after regular washing, I soak the entire garment in veg oil and then wash seperately. That's probably why the WD-40 works!
 
DH who has a home repair business and does a lot of painting said you are not going to get it out. SORRY! :hug:

Our son is an Eagle scout and we were always informed in advance so they could be prepared and dress appropriately. :sad2:

We would let him wear them to scouts. Its just paint! Scout paint to boot! Until he needs a new pair. I saw shorts at Abercrombie that had paint splattered all over them. He will be right in style!:thumbsup2

Good Luck scout Mom!
 
Well, I've tried washing them once with just detergent and the paint shine came off so about 10 more washes and maybe the paint will be out. I'm going to try the Dawn overnight and then the WD 40 (I CVS so I have 8 bottles of Dawn I got Free so a good place to start :goodvibes)

Zip-off Scout pants? They must be a relatively new item at the Scout Shops. They don't sound like Class A uniform quality to me. Are they suitable for a Court of Honor?

One of the above ideas will surely work. If not, does your troop have some sort of exchange where outgrown uniform parts are handed down to those who can use them? Or maybe you can ask around for a loaner pair of pants until you can replace or augment your son's wardrobe. Sometimes uniform parts turn up in consignment shops or thrift shops as well. You could call around and ask.

My boys always had at least two of everything at a time except the Class A shirt. I altered quite a few pairs of pants, letting out or taking in the back seams and shortening them.

Perhaps your Arrowman thought he was using latex paint and that it would wash out easily. He knows better now.

Yup, all scout pants are zip-off now. They don't look very dressy to me either, but I think they were trying to be a little more budget friendly so that people didn't have to buy pants and shorts and zip-offs.

We had two of everything at the beginning of summer as I had to buy him a second full class A uniform for NYLT. Not sure why as they literally didn't change clothes all week :confused3 Man did he stink. :rotfl: But coincidence of coincindences, he broke the zipper on the other pair
two weeks ago. While I can do a mean hem zipper replacement is beyond me and the price to repair it was as much as a new pair of pants so we decided he'd have to make do with one for now. :sad2:

He has admitted knew he was in trouble with the paint and that it wouldn't wash out, but by the time he found out he was going to be painting he didn't have time to go change :headache: Though, I have to admit even if he had changed, I don't know that that would have helped me too much budget wise as he grew in the spring and all his jeans are new and cost a lot too.

While I wish there was our Troop does not have a uniform exchange.
 
Check out this site: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01CLO&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=CO_APPAREL&C3=&C4=&LV=2&item=900SBP&prodid=900SBP^8^01CLO&

This site has the zip off scout pants on clearance and the total included shipping is $12.48. Not sure if it is an option though.

Thanks for posting! Unfortunately, they won't fit him, but hmmm, DH wears an XL and my middle DS is moving up to Boy Scouts in the spring and wears a 10 - I wonder if the 8s will fit as he's very skinny.
 
I feel your pain OP. Scouting uniforms are expensive. I would try the turpentine as a pp suggested or even wd40?
I am thankful however that our Troop is out here in the country full of farming boys. Our troop chose Class A shirts and jeans for their uniform. I call'em dress jeans:lmao: You know - no holes, no spikes, no hanging dn the waist, fitted, pressed jeans. If they do get messed up they go into the work'in pile and we go buy new jeans from the tracter supply store:thumbsup2
 
.....While I have a possible solution (Greased Lightning) it's been known to ruin fabric.....

I use Greased Lightning for laundry stains all of the time, and it's never damaged anything. Laundry pre-treater is listed as a use right on the bottle. I've never tried to get out oil based paint though...good luck!
 
I use Greased Lightning for laundry stains all of the time, and it's never damaged anything. Laundry pre-treater is listed as a use right on the bottle. I've never tried to get out oil based paint though...good luck!

My mom used it on an oil stain on my dad's jeans and it bleached out his jeans wherever it landed.
 
Goop Off or Goo Gone

My dad is a painter and uses these all the time. They have saved me a couple of times
 











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