Posted on 05/08/2013 3:47:03 PM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
As some of you may remember (but probably don't), I had to move two years ago. This is the first new house I've ever lived in, and it has those fancy super-vulnerable indoor walls (the kind you can't drive a nail into).
Yesterday I was attempting to hang a picture. Unfortunately the picture was too heavy for the hook and it pulled it off the wall and dropped to the floor. I instinctively flung out my arms and found later that I had inadventently brushed against the wall with an arm that was coated with salve (for a psoriasis). The wall was smudged very badly.
I wore out two Mr. Clean Dry Erases and accomplished very little other than to spread the greasy salve around. I am afraid to try just anything for fear of taking the paint off the wall. So the stain is still there, and my guilt is tremendous.
Does anyone here know of any product that will safely remove such an agent from a very soft, painted indoor wall? Rubbing alcohol perhaps? Formula 409? Clorox Wipes?
These walls are unbelievably "touchous." They are easily punctured and it's almost impossible to touch them without damaging or dirtying them in some way. It would seem that someone would have created a product to deal with this type of thing, but I have no idea what it is.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Please keep in mind that I don't want to do anything that might make the problem worse, such as removing the paint.
I would try a dilute solution of Murphy’s Oil Soap...
what kind of building codes are in your area? this does not sound like it is to code at all
Dawn detergent.
Maybe I missed it, but what exactly is the material the wall is made out of?
Try some dish soap (you shouldn’t need a lot) and a slightly damp sponge.
/johnny
Bigger question is- what salve are you using for the psoriasis, and does it work?
Clean, wet rag and plenty of elbow grease.
On a BBC show called “How Clean is Your House” they used slices of bread!
Go to a paint store and get their suggestions based upon the materials involved, paint, grease, wall material, etc. If it is porous then it may have absorbed into the wall itself.
am betting it is a satin paint. almost like floc. touchy stuff.
Trisodium phosphate.
Hey! I held back before I said Murphy’s oil soap and asked the material the wall was made from (or wall covering)... Not fair! My mom washed everything with Murphy’s oil soap! Then again, many nice things used to be made of wood. I swear we used to have gallons of the stuff!....
Can’t believe no one has come up with the obvious answer.
Get your wife to do it. After all - that’s a woman’s job.
(Do I really need to duck for cover?)
Sounds to me like you are dealing with a highly pourous possibly oil based paint which has bonded with the oil and dirt that was on your fingers. Removing the stain may not be possible. If paint thinner or mineral spirits will not work, then re-painting is your best option. You cannot fight oil with water... and most cleaning agents are water based.
Until you answer post #5, any solution to your problem is impossible.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.