Paint Removal

Cautions:

1. Safety first. Many solvents are flammable. Ventilate and stay below the flashpoint. Avoid open flames and sparks. Wear appropriate PPE.
2. Solvents may damage carpet and rug backings, cushions and subfloors. Test to be sure that your solvent will not dissolve adhesive or other materials.
3. Some paints will not come out (epoxy paint). Carpet or rug repair may be offered as a solution. If paint is only on the tips of the pile yarns, you may be able to tip sheer the paint off. A bonded insert may fix a tufted carpet or a hand knotted rug may be rewoven.

Cleaning procedures:

1. Vacuum, dust or scrape. Remove as much dried paint as possible without damaging the carpet.
2. Apply First & Foremost to paint. Tamp in to penetrate and break up the paint. Blot with rags or disposable towels. If First & Foremost does not dissolve the paint, use a different volatile dry solvent (VDS). If you cannot find a solvent that will dissolve the paint, it will not come out. Offer your repair or replacement services.
3. Apply a small amount of Non Volatile Dry Solvent (NVDS). NVDS will not evaporate rapidly like First & Foremost so it will have the dwell time to soften and remove the paint.
4. After some dwell time, cover paint with rags or disposable towels and tamp. You can also vacuum only extract to suck out the dissolved paint. Do not use any water/rinse, vacuum only. This will get paint all over (and inside) your extraction tools, so you may want to have a paint job only tool and hose, or you will have to clean up before the next job.
5. Apply First & Foremost and vacuum only extract. Repeat until all or as much as possible is removed.
6. Apply diluted LST solution. Cover with rags or disposable towels and tamp.
7. Vacuum extract with water/rinse, thoroughly.
8. Cover area with rags or disposable towels and dry completely. Use several layers to act as a poultice to draw out the last paint residues.
9. If some color is still apparent, treat like a dye stain. Use a redox reaction to remove the color. Reduction is the safer of the two and is more likely to work. Use Low Odor Dye Stripper. Start weak and work your way up (1%, 2%, 3%, etc).
   For oxidation use Urine, Odor And Stain Remover (hydrogen peroxide). Start weak and work your way up (5 to1=2%, 4 to 1=2.4%, 3 to 1=3%, 2 to 1=4%, 1 to 1=6%, full strength=12%).

Fresh Paint Spills

When a customer calls about a fresh paint spill, advise them to pick up as much paint as possible with a spoon, and be careful not to rub it into the carpet pile. Then cover the area with plastic to prevent drying until you can get there. Water based paint can be kept damp with wet towels.

Cleaning procedures:

1. Remove excess paint.
2. Apply LST solution. Tamp and rinse, extract. Repeat as necessary.
3. Cover area with rags or disposable towels and dry completely. Use several layers to act as a poultice to draw out the last paint residues.
4. If some color is still apparent, treat like a dye stain. Use a redox reaction to remove the color. Reduction is the safer of the two and is more likely to work. Also try Low Odor Dye Stripper. Start weak and work your way up. For oxidation use hydrogen peroxide. Start weak and work your way up.