Part3Removing Stubborn Stains From Dr. Martens
Part3
1Remove gum. With a scraper, spoon, or credit card, remove as much of the gum as possible. Take a hair drier and heat the remaining gum until it becomes tacky. Then apply the sticky side of a piece of tape to gum and peel it off. Press the tape on again and peel it off a few more times. If necessary, reheat the gum with the hair drier and repeat until the gum is gone.[18]After removing any stubborn stains from your boots, proceed with regular cleaning to remove excess residues and cleaning products.
2Clean paint off. The best thing to remove paint from your Dr. Martens is mineral spirits. Mineral spirits is a petroleum-based solvent that works well at dissolving paint. Because it’s oil-based, it’s safe to use on leather.Take a clean rag and dip it in some mineral spirits. Rub the affected area with the rag, adding more mineral spirits as needed. Continue rubbing until the paint dissolves and comes off.[19]
3Get rid of glue. For this DIY project you will actually need a penetrating oil like WD-40. Apply the oil to the glue and a small area of the boot surrounding the glue. Let it sit until the glue becomes soft, then scrape the glue with a butter knife or plastic scraper. If necessary, repeat these steps again until the glue is gone. Wipe away the excess oil when the glue has been removed.[20]
4Remove sticker residue. Use a scraper or credit card and scrape off as much of the sticky substance as possible. Take a clean rag and dip it in some acetone, nail polish remover, or even peanut butter.[21] After rubbing the cleaner into the shoe, take the scraper to it again. Repeat as necessary.Wipe the area with a clean damp cloth and allow it to dry.
