Removing paint from dart barrels is actually really easy. All you need is 100% acetone nail polish, an old pill bottle, and a toothbrush. This process only takes about 10 minutes, and it doesn’t require any hard scrubbing.
All you need do is place the dart inside the empty pill bottle with the painted barrel facing down. Fill the pill bottle with 100% acetone nail polish remover, and let it sit there for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes is up, use a toothbrush to scrub away the paint. It is as simple as that!
If you are interested in learning about removing paint from dart barrels in closer detail, keep reading. Even though the method is incredibly straightforward and easy to follow, it can be helpful to know which materials work the best and why. We also provide cleaning and maintenance tips to expand the life of your darts.
Removing Paint from Dart Barrels
Here is a closer look at our paint removal method:
1. Get the Right Nail Polish Remover
With this method, select 100% acetone nail polish remover. When you go to a store, there will be a lot of nail polishes to choose from. Although all have an acetone base, not all are 100% acetone. Some come with additives or conditioners for the purpose of nourishing the nails. 100% acetone products will be the most effective for removing the paint.
We recommend using nail polish remover like this one with 100% acetone, as it will be the most effective at removing the paint from your dart barrel with the least effort.
If you already have a container of 100% acetone in your garage or workspace, that works too. We recommend 100% acetone nail polish remover simply because it is easier to find nail polish than a tin of 100% acetone.
2. Position the Barrel Down
In addition to getting the correct nail polish remover, you need to know how to position the dart for optimal removal and safety. Grab an empty pill bottle or some other container of a similar size. The empty pill bottle is great because it is about the same size as a dart, and it will not waste excess acetone.
Place the dart in this empty pill bottle. You will want the barrel facing down. Fill the empty pill bottle up with the 100% acetone nail polish remover. It is important that you only add just enough to cover the paint. There is no need to cover the tip with the nail polish remover.
Most dart tips are made from stainless steel. This material should last within the acetone, but you don’t want to risk it. That is why you only use just enough nail polish remover to cover the painted parts of the barrel.
3. Let the Acetone Do Its Work
Now, let the acetone do its work. Allow the dart to sit in the solution for 10 minutes. It is actually interesting to check on the progress before the 10 minutes are up. You will be able to see the paint literally falling off the dart.
4. Scrub Off the Paint
After the dart has soaked for 10 minutes, remove it from the solution. You will be able to move the paint around with your fingers, but a toothbrush is more effective. This allows you to scrub away all small pieces of paint without making a mess in your hands.
Some spots will probably be a bit tougher than others. If you are finding that one spot is particularly troublesome, just soak the dart some more. The acetone shouldn’t harm it in any way, especially if you face it barrel down.
Cleaning Your Darts
In addition to removing paint from your dart barrel, you will likely want to clean off your darts too. This is especially true if you like to use wax or chalk on your fingers while playing.
Cleaning your darts expands their lifetime, ensuring you enjoy your favorite pastime for many years.
Why You Should Clean Your Darts
Many people don’t think about cleaning their darts, but it is important for your game. Countless players use chalk or wax on their fingers to add better grip during their game. Even if you don’t personally use these materials, they may still get on the dart when you are playing with someone who does.
Not to mention, the darts can get dirt and debris from just about anywhere. When you throw them in your bag or take them to a game, they are likely to be exposed to a number of contaminants that can shorten their life expectancy.
Even professional dart players know the importance of cleaning their darts. For example, the three time world champion John Lowe is a big advocate for immersing dart barrels after every game.
How to Clean Your Darts
There are a couple of ways you can clean your darts, but they are all very similar. Firstly, get a small container to hold both the barrels and liquid. Something like an empty pill bottle will be great.
If you are cleaning many barrels at once, however, you might want to get a container with a larger capacity than a pill bottle. A powder scoop may be ideal for cleaning many darts at once.
Add your desired cleaning solution to this container. The best cleaning solution is either 100% acetone or household bleach. Of course, these materials will take away the paint, but if you are reading this article, you probably don’t care about that.
Now, place the darts barrel-down in the cleaning solution, just as we described above. Let them sit overnight so that the solution can really seep in. If you do not have time to let the dart clean overnight, 2 to 3 hours will work just as well.
After the darts have soaked, you can grab a toothbrush if you see any debris or chunks still left on the barrels. If not, simply rinse the dart with clean water and wipe them off.
If you do not want to strip certain darts of paint, do not use alcohol based-solutions or let it sit overnight. Instead, find a gentle cleanser and wipe off any dirt from the barrel. This also goes for soft darts, such as those made from gold.
Maintenance Tips
To make the cleaning process easier, it is best to not use chalk or grease when handling your darts. If it increases your game, then so be it. Still, handling darts with fresh and clean hands is the best way to maintain them and make cleaning a breeze.
Remember to sharpen your dart tip as well. With repeated use, the tip will naturally become blunted. This will leave holes in the dart board and make the dart less useful.
Use any dart sharpener to sharpen your darts. The tips only need to be rounded, not sharp. Ensure that all of the tips are the same height.
Final Thoughts
Removing paint from dart barrels is not difficult. You only need three items and 10 minutes of your time.
In fact, this method is so easy that it requires no elbow grease. Cleaning and maintaining your darts are also easy.
Just remember, do not use alcohol-based solutions on soft darts or darts you don’t want to strip of paint. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and don’t soak them.