unpaint
Undo a coating
To unpaint is to remove paint from a surface, restoring it to its original state: We spent the weekend unpainting the Victorian trim that previous owners had slathered over.
The word also works figuratively—to undo a characterization or portrayal: He tried to unpaint the unflattering picture his opponent had drawn of him.
Reverse a prior action
- revertReturn to earlier condition
- restoreReturn to earlier state
- returnGo back again
- removeTake something away
erase · bare · original · uncovered · raw · natural · blank · reset
Removes coatings or clothing
- solventDissolving liquid or financially stable
- turpentinePine-resin solvent
- acetoneVolatile organic solvent
- thinnerLiquid diluting agent
remover · scraping · sanding · sandblasting · heat gun · chemical · abrasive · caustic
Artifact preservation expert
- restorerOne who repairs
- inpaintingReconstructing missing image regions
- retouchingPost-capture image enhancement
- varnishLiquid that dries glossy
solvent · canvas · pigment · patina · art conservation · authenticity · provenance · masterpiece
Eliminating unauthorized markings
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- desecrationViolating something sacred
- damageHarm or impairment
vandal · scrawl · cleanup · remediation · protective coating · municipal · public property
undo
Reverse a prior action
remove · erase · bare · original · uncovered · raw · natural · blank · reset · reverse
stripper
Removes coatings or clothing
- solventDissolving liquid or financially stable
- turpentinePine-resin solvent
- acetoneVolatile organic solvent
thinner · remover · scraping · sanding · sandblasting · heat gun · chemical · abrasive · caustic · sodium hydroxide
conservator
Artifact preservation expert
- restorerOne who repairs
- inpaintingReconstructing missing image regions
- retouchingPost-capture image enhancement
varnish · solvent · canvas · pigment · patina · art conservation · authenticity · provenance · masterpiece · cleaning
graffiti removal
Eliminating unauthorized markings
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- desecrationViolating something sacred
damage · vandal · scrawl · cleanup · remediation · protective coating · municipal · public property