Goof Off is Good Stuff ; Not For the Timid, It's Like a Chain-saw-in-a-Can
Written: Aug 24 '07 (Updated Nov 11 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: Cleans up dried paint VERY well
Cons: Care must be used. the small squirt flip is sometimes hard to get out.
The Bottom Line: Use the proper tool for the proper job. Read the label and anyone can use this tool properly and safely.
popsrocks's Full Review: Goof Off The Ultimate Remover
A CHAINSAW IN A CAN!?! I'll explain what I mean in a bit.
I use Goof Off for only two household applications. More on that in a bit too.
A Bit of Info on a Product That Uses Just a Bit of Liquid
Goof Off, the Ultimate Remover is another household goody I keep around at all times. It comes in a small yellow coloured can with a flip out spout. As squeeze will push the liquid directly onto the problem or onto a cloth to then be applied. Though the directions say I should, I never use gloves when using the product. That said, I don't use it that often, for any long length of time or in any great amounts.
The product also comes in many other size cans, hand sprays and even an aerosol but because most people don't need to use much of this product, the small 4.5 ounce square can seems to be the most popular.
The can has a list of many of the problems it can tackle. Things like gum, old dried latex paint, glues (as from price stickers) crayon, scuffs, candle wax, grease, tar and such. Though it says it will remove the stuff, I have never tried it for removing lipstick from my collar.
Warnings are given on how to apply, colourfast test and also be sure the product doesn't eat up the surface that holds the stain or problem you are trying to remove. In many cases it will!
Not To Be Used By The Timid
I would put Goof Off in the same category as a chain saw. It can do the job much faster and easier with better end-results than other tools but used by the wrong person or in the wrong way it can be very dangerous!
It's not so much as dangerous to the user as a chain saw can be, though there are plenty of warnings to use it in a well ventilated area and not breath in the fumes. It's also extremely flammable. It's toxic if swallowed too.
The real problem is knowing what jobs it's good for and what it can destroy. Goof-Off is an enemy of plastics. It kinda melts the stuff and leaves it feeling rough and sticky along with marring any finish. The can also notes other surfaces that need to be tested first or not used on at all.
I should mention that Goof Off has a product Goof Off2 that is water based and IS safe on plastics.
The product also has a smell that is not pleasing. It's not awful but it does linger.
My Use
Though this product does well on price stickers and I'm at the ready to use it, I instead use WD-40 that does the job well. I do use Goof Off for candle wax. The bulk of the wax can easily but carefully be scraped of a surface but many times wax remains in the open grain of wood. It's here that I either squeeze a drop on the wax and immediately wipe it off with a clean cloth. I then give a quick spray of a glass cleaner or other such solvent to be sure most of the Goof Off is removed too. The wax is gone.
Though the product states it's good for cleaning carpets, I instead use Resolve Pet Stain And Odor Carpet Cleaner with good results on many stains.
I use Goof Off mostly for the quick and easy removal of dried latex paint. It works great! Again though, like with that big ol' chain saw, you must use caution. I have found that the solvent can eat right through dried paint. It can also eat right through the paint or finish the is on if allowed to stand. Don't let it. One has to use the squirt can's tiny nozzle as intended. Place the solvent directly on the problem keeping the other surface as dry as possible.
I just did a paint job in my home and paint dropped onto my newly finished wood floors. No problem. The paint came off and the floor finish remains the same, looking good. I also had to remove wall paint off trim molding that was not repainted in one room. The wall paint came right off and the trim looks good.
In a nut shell; Use the proper tool for the proper job. Read the label and anyone can use this tool properly and safely. It's excellent for removing dried latex paint! I always have Goof Off in arsenal. I pick it up at the Home Depot in my town so I'm always prepared to GOOF OFF!
