Things You'll Need:
- As noted in text
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Step 1
A Word About Safety:
Caution must be practiced when attempting to remove tough stains using harsh and potentially hazardous substances. Always read and follow manufacturers' labels for safe use and handling of products, tools and equipment.
It is important to check what effects a substance might have on carpeting materials, prior to attempting actual stain removal, to be sure no damage is caused by the cleaning process. -
Step 2
Removing wet oil-based paint:
Removing a recently spilled stain of normal oil-based paint from nylon carpeting is most easily done by immediately daubing or blotting it with a paper towel or rag moistened with the recommended thinning agent for the paint. Do not rub!
Oil-based paints usually are thinned with mild solvents like mineral spirits, but always read the manufacturers' labels to be sure you have the recommended substance on hand, if you really want to be sure you can thin or clean up the paint you've chosen.
A number of stain removing products are available at home centers, and these may work quite well. However, it is not always easy to know which ones to have on hand in preparation for cleaning up a mishap, and some of them might contain some potent chemicals. -
Step 3
Removing dry oil-based paint:
There might be times when you forgot to remove a spot of oil-based paint from carpeting when it was still wet, so let's discuss what might help in that situation.
The recommended thinning agent for the paint will be virtually ineffective on already dried oil-based paint. Not even some of the nastiest substances would do much to chemically dissolve the paint without also destroying the carpet fibers.
Somehow, the stain needs to be softened, so it can be separated from the carpet fibers. One way that might be possible is through the use of steam.
A number of hand-held steam cleaners are capable of generating 285 degree steam, which should be hot enough to at help soften dried oil-based paint. It should not be hot enough to damage carpet fibers, although you should use caution until you know for sure; and, be careful you don't burn yourself! -
Step 4
The process:
You will probably have to get down on hands and knees in order to see close enough to direct the steam into and on the paint, while you try to pick away at it with a needle or strong pin.
You should be able to lift the softening paint from the carpeting without causing damage to the fibers or to the environment.
