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

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: DomS
umm....I've never heard of using water based paint on a wall

Latex paint is water-based, and is by far the most common paint for interior walls.

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?

Latex paint is washable after it dries. The water is simply to keep the paint fluid so it can be spread over a surface. The paint drying is a result of the water evaporating leaving the tinted latex behind. So yes, they make paints that are washable. If they weren't, you'd either have to paint everything with oil or acrylic paints, which would suck a lot, or live in a place where moisture would cause your walls to melt, which would also suck alot.

OP, sounds like the walls were very cheaply painted. They were probably not washed and primed beforehand, and cheap paint was used, the practical upshot of which is that the friction of cleaning them is causing the paint to come off. I've never heard of a paint that washes off with water, unless they painted your walls with a Crayola watercolor set...

 

[lynn852013]

Does anyone know how to clean water based painted walls without the paint coming off? The landlord and property manager knew a family with a child was moving in, why in the h*ll would you paint a wall with that kind of paint, especially when you know a child or children will be living there? Not very intelligent, unless it's so we can't get our security deposit back in any amount for it! I would appreciate any suggestions on how to clean these walls. Thank you in advance!

 

[snoopy7548]

Does anyone know how to clean water based painted walls without the paint coming off? The landlord and property manager knew a family with a child was moving in, why in the h*ll would you paint a wall with that kind of paint, especially when you know a child or children will be living there? Not very intelligent, unless it's so we can't get our security deposit back in any amount for it! I would appreciate any suggestions on how to clean these walls. Thank you in advance!

A low-grit sandpaper works well. It's the only way to keep the paint intact; water and sand repel each other, so the paint stays on the wall and the dirt comes off. I usually start with a 60 grit then work my way down to 20.

 

[BoomerD]

A low-grit sandpaper works well. It's the only way to keep the paint intact; water and sand repel each other, so the paint stays on the wall and the dirt comes off. I usually start with a 60 grit then work my way down to 20.

 

[Ajay]

Materials:
1 gallon of kerosene
1 old t-shirt
1 yard stick
1 rubber band
1 book of matches

Wrap t-shirt around one end of the yard stick.
Secure with rubber band (or zip tie if you want to get fancy)
Pour some kerosene onto attached t-shirt.
Splash the rest of the kerosene onto the walls (be careful not to get it on yourself).
Step out of room.
While grasping the far end of the yard stick, strike a match and light the kerosene soaked t-shirt.
Toss into room.
Run like hell.

100% certain the walls will no longer be deface by dirt, grease, magic marker, etc.

** Not a real arsonist - consult a real arsonist for best results.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for spots.....water and a damp sponge....still have a problem? Repaint.

 

[13Gigatons]

Does anyone know how to clean water based painted walls without the paint coming off? The landlord and property manager knew a family with a child was moving in, why in the h*ll would you paint a wall with that kind of paint, especially when you know a child or children will be living there? Not very intelligent, unless it's so we can't get our security deposit back in any amount for it! I would appreciate any suggestions on how to clean these walls. Thank you in advance!

Sounds like the paint did not adhere to whatever surface was below. The paint may also be really cheap or just old.

Only solution is too remove it or use really good primer and paint it.