how to clean walls that use a water-based paint?

[Special K]

Does anyone know a good way to clean scuff marks off a wall that uses a water-based paint? This paint must be extremely cheap, because simply rubbbing water on the wall causes the paint to dissolve.

Is there any special solution that can clean walls that use water-based paint, without dissolving the paint in the process?

 

[Mark R]

There isn't really an alternative - use of water and a very mild detergent (e.g. sugar soap) and a soft cloth is best you can hope for. If the paint comes off, then you'll need to repaint - use a paint with a smoother finish (sometimes called 'vinyl' or 'silk') as these are less permeable to water, although they will still dissolve.

 

[BlackTigers]

MAGIC ERASER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Text

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
MAGIC ERASER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried that. You have to soak the eraser in water first. The eraser dissolved the paint when I rubbed it on the scuff marks.

 

[paulxcook]

Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

 

[Vette73]

Face-Palm!!!


Its is water based, not water paint. In other words the water is juts a carrier, it is not the paint. The paint is latex and other items.


Sounds like a old and/or cheap paint when it was put on. Not much you can do. Also juts could be old paint as some early watre based non-lead paints were not that good as it was early tech back then.


Just scurb walls, prime, and put on a new coat of wal-mart or after rebate paint if oyu want to stay a long time.

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

 

[SagaLore]

Wipe them off with a dry terry cloth. If they're stained, you're going to have to repaint - hopefully this time with a cleanable paint.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Sounds like the walls were never primed to begin with. Sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint or strategically place furniture/picture.

 

[dsity]

The apartment I lived in was like this. I tried to clean the dirty walls....and paint came off during the cleaning. NO way in hell i'm going to give up my deposit for such cheaply painted walls.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: dsity
The apartment I lived in was like this. I tried to clean the dirty walls....and paint came off during the cleaning. NO way in hell i'm going to give up my deposit for such cheaply painted walls.

I should add that I live in what appears to be a cheaply and hastily constructed apartment complex. The buildings are only 1.5 years old but I am already noticing things that are cracking, flaking, etc.

I could just ask the landlord to send someone from maintenance out to repaint it, but I didn't want them to use that against me as a reason to not refund my deposit. If there's no way to actually clean the marks off though, I may not have any other option.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

Ummm, well you can. Just not over Latex paint.

 

[preslove]

I usually use water based lube.

 

[DomS]

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

 

[DomS]

Originally posted by: preslove
I usually use water based lube.

you didn't last night. You just stuck it in without asking

 

[EMPshockwave82]

sand blast it

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: DomS

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

Latex paint is water based. You clean the brushes, rollers whatever in water, right?

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: DomS

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

Latex paint is water based. You clean the brushes, rollers whatever in water, right?

Indeed, Water based paint is very common for walls. Oil based paint is..horrid for many applications.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: DomS

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

Latex paint is water based. You clean the brushes, rollers whatever in water, right?

Indeed, Water based paint is very common for walls. Oil based paint is..horrid for many applications.

They do make water-based paints that are washable though, right? As in if you make a mark on the wall, you can clean it off with water and/or soap without having to worry about taking the paint off with it?

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

You paint over dirty walls
-AE

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: DomS

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Water-based paint on walls? WTF?

What else are you going to put on walls?

You're certainly not going to oil or solvent based paints on.

umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

Latex paint is water based. You clean the brushes, rollers whatever in water, right?

yes, thats before it drys and cures. after that...it is like latex as the name implies..water doesn't really affect it. leave it on your brushes to dry and you'll be sad. sounds like his paint is just totally deteriorating and crumbling. best to scrub that off, prime and repaint.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: dsity
The apartment I lived in was like this. I tried to clean the dirty walls....and paint came off during the cleaning. NO way in hell i'm going to give up my deposit for such cheaply painted walls.

I should add that I live in what appears to be a cheaply and hastily constructed apartment complex. The buildings are only 1.5 years old but I am already noticing things that are cracking, flaking, etc.

I could just ask the landlord to send someone from maintenance out to repaint it, but I didn't want them to use that against me as a reason to not refund my deposit. If there's no way to actually clean the marks off though, I may not have any other option.

New construction often settles, boards dry and flex, imperfections appear. I wouldn't get too dejected about cracks in paint.

I have no suggestions for cleaning without water, though. It's pretty obvious they used cheap paint (maybe even watered down).

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: Special K

They do make water-based paints that are washable though, right? As in if you make a mark on the wall, you can clean it off with water and/or soap without having to worry about taking the paint off with it?

Yes, a good quality water based paint will be washable. However, some surface finishes are more washable than others - e.g. true matt, or eggshell finish paint tends to be more susceptible to water than a semi-gloss paint.

 

[FoBoT]

belt sander


then repaint the wall

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

I don't believe it is dissolving the paint. As I understand the pigment is just waterborne. As least that's the case with topcoat finishes.