I did a search and found a couple topics about latex paint, however didnt find what I was looking for. I did an empty apartment and the painters must have had a "paint fight" or something, it was terrible. I used some "Pro Solve Gel" and got absolutely no resluts, NONE. Now, we have had some cold weather up in the North East lately, and my kit was left in the van for a couple days...would that be the reason I had no results? I used the Pro Solve, terry cloth, Iron, more Pro solve and added "Power Gel", extract, like this instruction booklet said. Absolutely no results. Any suggestions? The encaping took out some of the lighter areas, but not much, even though I used a double strength solution. If I can't get it out they will hire another cleaner...but what would the other cleaner use???

Matt,
Then they will waste more money. If there is that much paint, they may as well replace the carpet. If you work it, using your Pro Solv and some P.I.G. (or P.O.G. if you prefer) products, you can improve that carpet drastically. However, the more solvents you use, the more risk there is that damage to the carpet will occur. I would go no further without a signed release. I also would charge top dollar with NO guarantees. I am a moderately priced cleaner, but for specialized situations, I charge a premium. Personally, I'd walk away. Most painters don't carry insurance.............most carpet cleaners do, if you get my drift.

Matt,


Kevin is right on the money. I also use pro-solve
gels but they never work on paint. They melt away gum
every time. P.O.G. Will remove the paint, but like kevin
said don't overdue it. If the carpet is that bad
make them sign a waiver. Don't make the painters mistakes
your problem.. Good luck.



Ralph

Hi Matt,

What a lot of people forget, or don't know is that latex paint when dry is synthetic rubber. Ask 10 "professional painters" and see how many of them even have a clue. The water is just a carrier to get it on the wall. Now if the paint is only a couple of days old and it appears the paint may have be tried to be wiped up leaving a chaulky looking substance on the carpet, you can usually use noraml pre spray and extract. Oops forgot, aggitate first, then extract. If no attempt has been made to remove the paint then it will be a hard bead on the fiber tips or a large glob. This will take a couple of days to cure because it will dry from the outside forming a crust on the suface. You can normally use a softer wire brush to break the surface tension to expose the part underneath that has cured yet. Use a pog or even detergent hot. Extract, and this is going to take alot of time and effort but it will work. If the globs are there more than a couple of days they will hard as concrete.
Been there and done that many times. You give an estimate and they schedule when they get the painting done first. You get to job and there is paint along base boards and drips here and there. The custy says " it is water based paint and it will come right up". Then you have to explain what the latex means on the can. Then ask them to take a latex glove and submerge it in water and see if it desolves! Not gonna happen. Same thing as the paint they just used. Maybe someonelse has a solution other than what I have just described. Always willing to learn new tricks.

Bob

Hi Matt,

Sorry if this is too late of a response but I have a solution. Its called Motsenbockers latex paint remover for carpets. I have only found this stuff at Home Depot in the paint section. Its about 10.00 for 22 ounces. I think you can also buy it cheaper by the gallon. I have used this stuff and it works great. I can get all paint spots out with this stuff. Just make sure you rinse after using. Thanks

Steve

I just checked out their website, they only list products for oil - based paints...not sure if that matters! Thanks everyone for your imput...Ive tried alot of different methods today with no results, the paint was spilled and left for days, the fibers are totaly saturated...I told the lady it needs to be replaced because it is hardend like a rock...

thanks again for the input!!!

Go to motsenbockers.com on the first page its called lift off #5 thats the stuff. You can use it on any paint. This stuff works great.

Steve

2 paint/varnish removers I have recently discovered. Seem to work very well removing urethane from wood floors, which is their secondary purpose.
1. Soy-Gel. www.franmar.com
2. EnviroClear. www.ecosafetyproducts.com
"SOYBEANS -- the new floor sander": buy some at your local farmers market today.
(Note: the Franmar product is a fairly thick gel. Leaves more "stuff" to get out of the carpet after breaking up the paint. The other product is thinner.
You can get little 2 oz/4 oz. bottles from each manufacturer to try them out.)