Removing Latex Paint From Wood Floor

[Verdeboy]

One of my customers' rental units was vandalized, and they spilled a gallon of latex paint on the floor. I've tried scraping it off with various scrapers, but it's slow going and inefficient.

Do you think a paint stripper or floor stripper would work better, or should he think about just getting a large throw rug to cover it?

[Sharky]

Try Goof Off. I have used it with good success in many paint clean ups. Spray some on and let it work in. Cover it with saran wrap to keep it moist then work it off with a plastic putty knife after it soaks up a while. I figured out the plastic wrap thing when I was using it on DIF gel that I was spraying on walls to remove old wallpaper paste. It gave it time to work in and didn't dry up before I could get it scraped off.

You can also try rubbing alcohol. Goof off isn't as noxious though, and seems pretty safe on the wood.

[Gary Swart]

Second the Goof Off suggestion. Given the size of the spill, it will still take a lot of work, but Goof Off is a great latex remover. I always have a can handy when I paint with latex. Gets the "whoops, oh s**t!" off of the trim and floor quickly and easily. Of course, that's not a whole can of dried paint, but it will do the job.

[Mike50]

Depends on how well the wood was sealed as to whether the wood will "smear" white into the grain.
Goof off is excellent but I'm wondering about the cracks...

If it doesn't work I'd have the planks replaced...

FWIW I used denatured alcohol to remove toothpaste stains on saltillo floor where Goof Off failed.
Same idea.....my tile is very porous.
BTW the goof off will remove the floor finish as well. He will need to reseal it.

Mike

[Old Dog]

I would try denatured alcohol with a mild "green colored" scrubber pad like you find on the other side of a kitchen sponge and alot of rags.Don't rub too hard so as to harm the floor finish.I agree with the other poster's,most likely paint in any open grain,inthe cracks...likely going to leave a "ghost" of the outline of the paint spill even after you get it cleaned up if the floor finish is old.More than likely have to refinish that area.
As always,have good ventilation when using chemicals and dispose of any cloth rags properly.They can combust all on their own if left in a pile in the corner.
Good luck!

[Cass]

Is this a high, medium, or low dollar rental unit.

That might determine how much $$$ he spends trying to take care of the problem.