In the bottle, on the brush, on your nails, and on the table. Let’s talk about how to fix thick/dried nail polish and make everything like new again. This guide covers how to clean up gloopy polish blobs wherever they happen to be.
What causes thick/dried nail polish?
Lacquer or regular nail polish lasts up to two years after the bottle is opened, and gels last up to three years. Those are maximum lifetimes based on proper storage. In other words, the bottles are stored tightly closed in a cool, dark place.
In the case of lacquer, if polish is left open, the solvents will evaporate, and it will thicken and dry out. You’ve seen the gunk around the brush handle and the neck of the bottle. That’s what will happen to the rest of the polish over time.
However, even without solvents, gel polish thickens and “dries out” when exposed to sunlight and temperature extremes.
How to fix thick, dried nail polish in the bottle?
Lacquer is easy to fix if you have nail thinner. This is a product designed to revive your favorite vintage polishes or thin the consistency for nail art reasons. Check the directions on the label. It will usually tell you to add two or three drops of thinner to the bottle, then tighten the cap. Roll the bottle between your palms for a couple of minutes, then loosen the cap and stir. Check the consistency as you may need to add more drops of thinner to fix the dried out polish.
Once the nail polish is restored, clean the neck of the bottle and the brush. You can use acetone but wipe off the excess before reinserting the brush. Use a lint-free cloth to remove debris from the entire brush and the opening of the bottle. Make sure there’s no acetone left on the bristles.
Can you use acetone to fix dried-out nail polish? Reluctantly, we have to say yes, but it’s really only in emergency cases. If you compare acetone to proper nail polish thinner, you’ll see that the latter restores the solvents while the former simply breaks down the polish. If you don’t care much about the polish you’re trying to save, just know that acetone will temporarily revive it, but then cause it to break down faster. The pigment and solvents will separate, and the polish will be less durable in a manicure.
If you must use acetone, add just a single drop and roll the bottle between your hands for a couple of minutes.
Can you use nail polish remover to restore thick, dry nail polish in the bottle? If the remover is pure acetone, see the warning above. If it contains other ingredients like moisturizers, don’t even try it.
Some techs also recommend placing thick nail polish in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. That may help a little, but the technique works much better if you’ve already added nail polish thinner.
How to fix a brush caked with thick, dried polish?
You’ve pulled out your nail brushes and discovered the bristles are stiff and still wearing your favorite shade from last year. What to do?
If they are natural hair brushes, like sable fur, absolutely don’t use acetone! It will dry the bristles and make them brittle. Instead, use monomer to clean an acrylic brush or a gentle brush cleaner like this one.
LAVIS Brush Cleaner Gel 100ml
LAVIS Brush Cleaner has a pump top that prevents contamination and dishes out just enough liquid to restore the brush like new. Press down so that a couple drops fill the top, dip the brush so that the bristles are soaked, and wipe them on a lint-free cloth. You may need to let the brush cleaner do its job for a couple of minutes before the old polish is softened enough to wipe away. Then wipe the bottle to remove dirty cleaner before pumping again if you need more liquid.
If you’re cleaning a nail brush with synthetic bristles like you’d use for gel products or regular nail polish, you can use the LAVIS brush cleaner or acetone. Pour a little into a glass container and swirl the brush until the old, dry polish softens and you can wipe the bristles clean. If you have nail polish remover with moisturizers, it can also clean brushes but will leave residue on the bristles. You may not see the film, but it can interfere the next time you use a brush. For best results, use professional brush cleaner or pure acetone for synthetic brushes.
How to fix thick/dried nail polish on nails?
This may seem like a no-brainer because you can just use nail polish remover, right? But if soaking your fingertips in acetone gets you down, there’s an easier way. If you want to remove a gel manicure in the most painless way possible, all you need is a regular nail file and Classy Nail Art Gel Remover Plus.
Buff the polish to remove the shine and swipe off the debris. Then use the Classy Gel Remover like you would nail polish, unscrewing the lid and using the brush to “paint” the nails with a clear gel. It has a thick consistency, so it doesn’t flood the cuticles. It’s fun to watch the gel polish start to lift and fall apart, then it’s straightforward to scrape it off without damaging the nails.
Classy Nail Art Gel Remover Plus 15mL
What about removing thick, dried nail polish on surfaces?
Here’s where things get tricky. If you’ve accidentally spilled polish onto the carpet, clothes, table, or floor or even splashed it on the window, there are usually ways to fix it. However, if it’s a surface you care about deeply, it might be wise to consult a cleaning expert instead of having a go yourself. Also, proceed with caution and try these tips only when you’re in a patient mood.
First, how to remove dried polish from a carpet? Never scrub, always blot, and use a white cloth so that you can see if the method is working and if the carpet coloring is lifting. When in doubt, test the cleaning product in an area out of sight.
You can try acetone on a light-colored carpet, but you might want to start with rubbing alcohol if it’s a dark-colored surface. Alternatively, commercial cleaners like Goof Off might save the day.
These carpet-saving tips also apply to clothing. But again, consider consulting a professional cleaner if it’s an item you don’t want to damage.
What about thick polish dried onto hardwood floors or furniture? The danger here is that acetone will strip the finish from the wood. Try rubbing gently with mineral spirits. If you have 0000-grade steel wool, that can help buff the surface to make it more receptive to the mineral spirits.
If you need to clean dried polish from tile, try acetone or regular nail polish remover. The same goes for glass. You may be able to use a razor blade to simply scrape the thick, dried nail polish from the surface instead.
Expert Touch Lacquer Remover 1oz
How to prevent nail polish from thickening and drying out?
Avoid having to fix problems in the future with two simple steps. First, always wipe the brush and the neck of the bottle clean before storing the polish. This step ensures the bottles can form a tight seal and keep the polish from thickening and drying out.
Second, create a safe space for storing the polish. Instead of keeping it in the bathroom cupboard, the hallway closet might be better if it’s cooler and darker.
Conclusion
Now you’re ready to fix thick/dried nail polish and we have the tools you need. Shop our store for brush cleaner, polish remover, and many more nail care supplies. Browse the hottest new colors and find out how to enjoy free shipping to make the deal even sweeter.
