Mistakes happen. Sometimes the tile gets spattered, a drip can get onto the exterior brick or cement driveway, overspray can drift in the wind and land on the neighbors cars (hopefully this doesn't happen too often).
Latex paint makes up a lot of the house paint market, and there are questions asked often in forums etc.. on how to remove latex paint from this or that.
Well, fortunately, latex paint takes a couple of weeks to cure which makes
it easy to remove when it is fresh, before it is cured. Always get on the removal as right away while it is fresh. Your job will only get tougher if you let it cure.
The solvent you use to remove the latex should be dictated by the surface that the paint or overspray or spatter is on . Obviously some solvents like water, will not harm most substrates, and are pretty safe to use. Alcohol on the other hand, may harm some finishes or substrates if you are not careful.
Always start with the weakest solvent and work your way up to stronger solvents. Some solvents are flammable (alcohol, lacquer thinner, goof off and oops) so you must hang dry the rag, and dispose of the solvent properly.
Always test in an inconspicuous area first to be sure the cleaner / remover doesn’t’ damage the surface before using it on a large scale removal.
Water
Fresh latex paint hasn’t yet developed full adhesion. If the paint is on a non-porous, non latex surface it will usually come off with water. The glossier the surface it is on, the easier it will be to remove it. You can add a little bit of detergent of soap to help in removal. Water is usually by far the best way to get latex paint off, as long as the paint has not cured
Always try water first before you try anything else. .
Ammonia
Another non-flammable and mild latex remover. Ammonia will remove latex paint in many situations where it has already cured. It is mild, and will require some dwell time and rubbing to remove the paint.
Alcohol
Alcohol is flammable, but is a fairly mild solvent. Denatured alcohol or rubbing alcohol is the type used for removing latex paint. Latex paint is sensitive to alcohol even after it has cured. Alcohol will damage some substrates so you must be mindful of the surface that you are trying to remove the latex paint from.
Lacquer thinner
A very strong and very flammable solvent, that must be used with caution. Lacquer thinner will damage a lot of surfaces so it must be used cautiously. Lacquer thinner will remove latex paint on non painted surfaces that are not sensitive to lacquer thinner itself. Cement, concrete, brick to name a few will not (as a rule) be harmed by lacquer thinner. Ceramic tile, porcelain and similar hard glazed surfaces are suitable for lacquer removal, as is latex pant on glass (not plexiglass - which it will melt). Lacquer thinner will damage or degloss most clear coats and paint finishes. Also, beware - lacquer thinner will cause alkaline burns if it comes in contact with one’s skin. Use solvent resistant gloves, and hang the rag up to dry out
Commercial Removers
A couple of popular latex pant removers are: Goof Off and Oops. Goof Off comes in a waterbased version and in the standard solvent version. Manufactured by Valspar, Goof Off will remove dried and cured latex paint, as well as a lot of other substances (crayon, adhesives, tar, candle wax and other items). Goof Off 2 is a more environmentally friendly remover, it will also remove dried latex paint. Goof Off 2 is primariy a mix of alcohol and glycol whereas the original Goof Off is made of xylene, benzene and some other stronger solvents. Oops, manufactured by Homax is very similar to the original Goof Off.
Solvent Rags are Flammable
"Hang rags contaminated with solvent or wood preservatives and stain outside or spread them out to dry on a nonflammable surface outside away from your house and other outbuildings. The area must be away from potential ignition sources, children and pets. When completely dry, the rags can be put in a trash bag and placed in the trash. Store the trash bag outside until trash pickup day".
--Colorado Department of Public Health http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/HM/hhw/howto/rags.htm
Removing Latex Paint
spatters, drips, overspray and mistakes
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