Paint prevents water from reaching the skin

Q: We frequently receive questions about paint that covers parts of the body required to be washed during Wudu’. There are many people, and especially those who work as painters, whose bodies are exposed to paint that cannot be removed, except by using chemical substances. They say that using chemicals, such as thinner, continually affects the skin. Is the Salah (prayer) of these people valid if they perform Wudu’, knowing that these paints prevent water from reaching the skin or is it obligatory to (Part No. 5; Page No. 222) remove anything that prevents water from reaching the skin for each obligatory Salah, in spite of difficulty? I hope that you will issue a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on this matter, in response to this letter and may Allah protect you!

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions.It is obligatory for water to reach the skin of a Muslim performing Wudu’ and they must remove anything that prevents water from reaching the skin. Maybe painters and others could wear protective clothing to prevent paint from getting on their hands.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.