A call to you DIY'ers.

[English Lady]

Hey folks, as you know, I'm currently in the process of moving house. Now the new place was recently repainted by and the council workers who've done it, have been a little lax in places.

I have several drips of emulsion paint on my bath and sink, gloss paint on windows (not drips, whole lines, where they just seem to have not kept to the lines*L*) and splashes and drips of emulsion on the metal fire, and it's wooden surround.


How do I do about removing these? I want my new place to shine

I thank you all in advance and if anyone else needs some DIY advice, please pose your question here.

(Yeah, I know it's not a writers thread, but, but, but erm...I think i might get some help here, google has been nigh on useless*L*)

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Nail polish remover works well on glass, counters, and vinyl floor. (at least from water based paint... I know from experience.)

 

[cantdog]

Sorry, I expected a discussion of punk. I have some favorites I use, EL, but they are all brand names from this side of the water. I'll be back, if you don't find help from anyone.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Touch a hard drop of paint with a Q-tip dipped in paint remover. This will also soften the paint back so it can be blotted and rinsed out.

Soften paint splatters on a window with hot vinegar, then scrape off with a razor blade.

Make a paste of starch and hot water and apply to spills on vinyl floors like linoleum. Let it sit for 30 minutes then wipe clean.

 

[English Lady]

I knew someone round here would know

Thanks Crim, I think I'll try that first as i hve some nail varnish remover!

Cant -thanks, I'm not sure what US brand names we'd get over here.


Selena -cheers, love esp for the window one

 

[Stella_Omega]

Emulsion paint, which we call latex paint- is actually an acrylic paint. Denatured alchohol is an excellent solvent, but be careful of it on laquered or varnished wood- it will dissolve those too. Polyurethane is impervious to alchohols.

I like Selynakittyn's tips- And i think the starch trick will minimise stains from the paint pigment, I'll have to do some experimenting!

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Naptha works well also, but be careful of it on plastics. Lighter fluid for old style lighters is basically naptha.

 

[matriarch]

I knew someone round here would know

Thanks Crim, I think I'll try that first as i hve some nail varnish remover!

Cant -thanks, I'm not sure what US brand names we'd get over here.


Selena -cheers, love esp for the window one

EL.....for gloss paint you need either white spirit or turps to remove. For long lines on glass, use a razor blade (carefully), to slide under one edge and then lever it all off. Clean the residue with the white spirit.

For emulsion, its plain soap and water I'm afraid, and on places that can stand it, a scouring pad, something abrasive but not harsh.

Good luck, I know what a pain it is to get off unwanted paint.

 

[English Lady]

EL.....for gloss paint you need either white spirit or turps to remove. For long lines on glass, use a razor blade (carefully), to slide under one edge and then lever it all off. Clean the residue with the white spirit.

For emulsion, its plain soap and water I'm afraid, and on places that can stand it, a scouring pad, something abrasive but not harsh.

Good luck, I know what a pain it is to get off unwanted paint.

Yay, a Brit who knows what I'm on about Thanks love, it's going to be a pain, but it needs doing.

drkside -wouldn't have a clue how to get hold of it I'm afraid and a big bit of my paint removal area is a big ass plastic type bath


And thanks Stella, it's good to have multiple suggestions

 

[Weird Harold]

drkside -wouldn't have a clue how to get hold of it I'm afraid and a big bit of my paint removal area is a big ass plastic type bath

Old-style lighter fluid can probably be found at a tobaconists -- if they still have such places in England.

Before you do anything drastic like use any of the suggested solvents on the "big ass plastic type bath," make sure you check to see if it is going to dull the finish. A cotton-swab's worth of solvent on an out-of-the-way corner will tell you if it's going to dull the finish or damage the tub.

A single edged razor blade or paint-scraper is the best solution for any paint on glass.

For small spots on just about any surface, an Xacto (hobbyist's) razor knife gives you the greatest amount of control over the peripheral damage.

Plain rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) won't disolve paint spots as quickly as some of the other solvents suggested, but it also won't react with as many of the surfaces you're trying to remove the paint from.

Plain soapy water (dishwashing detergent) plus a little "elbow grease" -- and possible a fine dish-scrubber intend for non-stick surfaces -- will deal most with the "Emulsion" or Latex paint. The Gloss paint could be latex or enamel based. Try soapy water first -- if it's latex, it will come of with a bit of scrubbing; if it's enamel or other oil based paint, it won't do anything except be clean for what ever solvent you try.

 

[English Lady]

Old-style lighter fluid can probably be found at a tobaconists -- if they still have such places in England.

Before you do anything drastic like use any of the suggested solvents on the "big ass plastic type bath," make sure you check to see if it is going to dull the finish. A cotton-swab's worth of solvent on an out-of-the-way corner will tell you if it's going to dull the finish or damage the tub.

A single edged razor blade or paint-scraper is the best solution for any paint on glass.

For small spots on just about any surface, an Xacto (hobbyist's) razor knife gives you the greatest amount of control over the peripheral damage.

Plain rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) won't disolve paint spots as quickly as some of the other solvents suggested, but it also won't react with as many of the surfaces you're trying to remove the paint from.

Plain soapy water (dishwashing detergent) plus a little "elbow grease" -- and possible a fine dish-scrubber intend for non-stick surfaces -- will deal most with the "Emulsion" or Latex paint. The Gloss paint could be latex or enamel based. Try soapy water first -- if it's latex, it will come of with a bit of scrubbing; if it's enamel or other oil based paint, it won't do anything except be clean for what ever solvent you try.

Yay! Harold is here, Harold is here! I feel honoured

I will definitely be careful about testing things first, it seems i have some extended periods of rubbing, washing and scrapping to look forward too -woo hoo. I think I'll have a go at getting rid of it tommorrow whilst i'm waiting for my Gas to be switched on.

 

[SensualCealy]

EL, did they leave you any paint for touch ups?

If they did, good old 80-100 grit sand paper for wall surface drip recovery. Light touch on the sand paper after you use a razor blade to skim off the big blob. Sand it down until you no longer see the ridge. One thin smooth coat of paint and all is well.

A razor works the best on windows too, just lay it flat and slide it up, not down, accidents happen when going down on anything! Lmao!

I have an oddball question since we are speaking of paint, why is your paint in the UK so thick? I watch House Invaders or is it Home Invaders, what ever, when they pour paint from the buckets its like cake batter or even thicker. Ours is more like thin pudding or jelly before setting. Just thought it was weird that paint over there is so thick. Meh!

Happy decorating in the new abode!
C

 

[oggbashan]

I have an oddball question since we are speaking of paint, why is your paint in the UK so thick? I watch House Invaders or is it Home Invaders, what ever, when they pour paint from the buckets its like cake batter or even thicker. Ours is more like thin pudding or jelly before setting. Just thought it was weird that paint over there is so thick. Meh!

Happy decorating in the new abode!
C

The paint used in those shows is One-Coat. That goes on quicker, dries faster, and covers more than a single coat of normal paint.

We have normal paint too that needs an undercoat and a topcoat and probably primer. They don't use it on the TV shows because it would take too long.

One-Coat costs more than ordinary paint but does have advantages if you are in a hurry. However, most of the work and time taken for any painting task is the preparation of the surface. If that is done properly, One-Coat will be as effective as the undercoat and topcoat of normal paint.

Og

 

[English Lady]

SC - no paint, just dried up paint drips I'm going to attack the problem tommorrow, when i'm waiting for the gas guy to get us connected up.

Oh, and Ogg's right btw, I'm just glad, I don't need to do any actual painting, as yet. Though I have plans for the bathroom once we're in and settled a bit

 

[LadyJeanne]

Hi EL, you've gotten lots of good paint advice...so I'll just add a couple things I've discovered as I settle into my new place.

To remove rust stains from anythng, including plastic - oxalic acid. In the states it's found in two cleaning products: Zud and Bar Keeper's Friend. You make a paste with the powder and a little water, leave it on for a while depending on how stubborn the stain is, and then wipe off. No scrubbing needed!

Leaky shower head - remove the shower head, wrap a few layers of Teflon tape on the threads, and screw the head back on.

Wood glue - one of the few products that really, really does what it says it does!

Block the neighbors view while letting in light through the windows - buy a tension curtain rod for a few dollars, and install it halfway up the window. Leaves the top open, while you're covered below

Hanging pictures on drywall if you don't have a stud finder - turn off the overhead light, turn on a light in an adjacent room, or put a lamp on the floor near the wall, and look at the wall from a side angle. You'll see ripples where the wood 2x4s are located.

 

[matriarch]

..........

Leaky shower head - remove the shower head, wrap a few layers of Teflon tape on the threads, and screw the head back on.

................

Hanging pictures on drywall if you don't have a stud finder - turn off the overhead light, turn on a light in an adjacent room, or put a lamp on the floor near the wall, and look at the wall from a side angle. You'll see ripples where the wood 2x4s are located.

Personally, I'd use Plumber's tape for the shower head, its made for just that purpose.

And EL.......... an English translation for the last paragraph.

For 'drywall' read 'plasterboard', and for 'stud', and 'wood 2x4s', read 'joists'.

 

[Weird Harold]

Personally, I'd use Plumber's tape for the shower head, its made for just that purpose.

Plumber's Tape an "Teflon Tape" are pretty much the same thing -- the latter is sort of a generic term for the product.

 

[matriarch]

Plumber's Tape an "Teflon Tape" are pretty much the same thing -- the latter is sort of a generic term for the product.

Thanks.
That's one I haven't come across.