I’m doing a big craft project using baby food jars and I want them to look uniform and nice — which means no baby food logos on the lids. I was going to spray paint each lid but it’s just not turning out the way I’d hoped.
So instead of spray painting, is there a way I can just strip the lids to remove the painted logos? The lids are metal, so what could I use for that? I need the most efficient method to do this because I have about 100 lids to strip! Thanks in advance.
Spraypainting them may be the simplest, honestly. Go over them once with primer or with matte white (or off-white, if that suits your final color better) and then paint in whatever color you want. Do this outside if you can. Get a big cardboard box, about 1.5′x2.5′ or 3′ if you can find one at a grocery store or someplace like that. Cut this box in half diagonally lengthwise, so you have two work spaces with a solid back and a solid floor and sloping sides — kind of shaped like the guard around a camping stove, if you know what I’m talking about. Put several lids in each one and spray them at the same time, then let them dry before moving them out. This should make neatly sprayed lids.
IF you’d really still rather strip them, use paint thinner — and gloves, of course. Sometimes nail polish remover also works, but paint thinner is usually best for this type of thing. Ask at the home improvement store as to which one works best.
Honestly, I’d go with priming and painting the lids.
Removing the logos with solvents or abrasives will be inefficient and potentianly hazardous.
That said, “Jasco” paint stripper for metal should do it… test a spare lid or two first though
If the painting and the stripping fails to work consider covering the lids with a small bit of fabric.
Cut the squares to just come down over the lids (so you can still see what is inside). Use pinking shears when you cut it so it looks better.
Then either glue and tie a bit of thin coordinating ribbon or just tie the ribbon on around the lid.
This give them a country feel and can be a really cute addition.
If you are obsessive about it you could cut them into circles but that would use up more time than just cutting them into squares.
What is going into the bottles? (Just being nosy!
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Have you tried acetone? Paint remover?
Use sandpaper or a wire brush. It may not remove the paint completely, but it should leave an even surface suitable for re-painting. I’m not imagining perfecting slick, but an even obliteration of the logos.
You will want to do this in a properly ventilated area so you won’t be breathing the resulting dust. You also want the dust *gone* before repainting.