How to Clean Gesso Out of Hair

Gesso is a multi-purpose product that’s often used as a primer for painting or woodworking applications. It’s considered permanent when it’s dry, so removing it from you hair may not be easy. You can, however, give this a try.

• Baby oil (or vegetable oil)
• Fine toothed comb
• Shampoo
• Shower or running water

1. Start by covering the affected hair with baby oil.
2. Thoroughly work the baby oil into the hair affected by the gesso.
3. Allow it to sit for several moments.
4. Begin to work through the affected hair with your finger nails or a fine toothed comb. You should be able to pull the gesso off by “stripping” one or two strands at a time.
5. Once you’ve removed the gesso, or as much as you can, wash the hair thoroughly with warm or hot water. Use caution in the shower. Even though the shampoo will reduce the greasy effect of the baby oil, you may still find the shower floor extremely slippery.
6. Repeat with a second shampoo, and possibly a third. Oil is difficult to remove from hair, but will wash out with several washings.

• You might find success with rubbing alcohol, lacquer thinner or mineral spirits. However, proceed with caution. These may irritate the skin/scalp, are drying, and great caution needs to be taken to keep it out of your eyes.
• Ideally, you should wash gesso out of hair, clothing, and other objects with soap and water before it dries. Once dry, it is much more difficult to remove.