Tiny bungalow in MO. I painted the kitchen with Lucite semi-gloss about
20 years ago. No chip, peel, little/no fading. But, of course, it's dirty.
Not super-bad, but dirty enough that it streaks badly when a spot is
cleaned.

I don't wanna re-paint. I got a roll-a-matic mop, tried "Grease Relief"
and Mr. Clean on it. Mr. Clean cleaned most of a test area, but the
1954 plaster-on-steel-lathe is a little rough, and some spots won't
clean. "Grease Relief" wasn't up to the task at all.

Sooooooooooooo, what's the best way to clean dirt/grease off of a good
semi-gloss paint finish?

Thx,
Peetie

On 9/23/2008 4:47 PM Peetie Wheatstraw spake thus:

Tiny bungalow in MO. I painted the kitchen with Lucite semi-gloss about
20 years ago. No chip, peel, little/no fading. But, of course, it's dirty.
Not super-bad, but dirty enough that it streaks badly when a spot is
cleaned.

I don't wanna re-paint. I got a roll-a-matic mop, tried "Grease Relief"
and Mr. Clean on it. Mr. Clean cleaned most of a test area, but the
1954 plaster-on-steel-lathe is a little rough, and some spots won't
clean. "Grease Relief" wasn't up to the task at all.

Sooooooooooooo, what's the best way to clean dirt/grease off of a good
semi-gloss paint finish?

For stubborn *spots* of grease (not the entire wall), I'd try one of my
favorite solvents, naphtha (aka charcoal lighter fluid). Or paint
thinner or mineral spirits: basically same stuff. Followed by whatever
water-based cleaner you normally use. It won't harm the paint. Will
smell a little for a little while, but should work well.


--
Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the
powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

- Paulo Freire

Peetie Wheatstraw wrote:

Tiny bungalow in MO. I painted the kitchen with Lucite semi-gloss about
20 years ago. No chip, peel, little/no fading. But, of course, it's dirty.
Not super-bad, but dirty enough that it streaks badly when a spot is
cleaned.

I don't wanna re-paint. I got a roll-a-matic mop, tried "Grease Relief"
and Mr. Clean on it. Mr. Clean cleaned most of a test area, but the
1954 plaster-on-steel-lathe is a little rough, and some spots won't
clean. "Grease Relief" wasn't up to the task at all.

Sooooooooooooo, what's the best way to clean dirt/grease off of a good
semi-gloss paint finish?

Thx,
Peetie


I used to use Fantastic on my kitchen walls and ceiling - even
wallpaper. In my case the paper must
have been extremely good, as it was never affected (vinly coated).
Fantastic is tough stuff and I would not recommend
it on wallpaper ) My kitchen paint was Ben Moore semi-gloss alkyd and
it stood up to all kinds of
abuse. Fantastic really cuts grease. Formula 409 is also good, perhaps
not as strong as Fan. Spic
n' Span is good.

I had a ceiling with combed texture, so spray cleaner and a terry cloth
rag were the only way to go.
Nasty job, swirling a rag around the textured thingies on the ceiling
) It has to be rinsed with rag
wrung out in plain water.

On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:47:00 -0500, Peetie Wheatstraw
wrote:


Tiny bungalow in MO. I painted the kitchen with Lucite semi-gloss about
20 years ago. No chip, peel, little/no fading. But, of course, it's dirty.
Not super-bad, but dirty enough that it streaks badly when a spot is
cleaned.

I don't wanna re-paint. I got a roll-a-matic mop, tried "Grease Relief"
and Mr. Clean on it. Mr. Clean cleaned most of a test area, but the
1954 plaster-on-steel-lathe is a little rough, and some spots won't
clean. "Grease Relief" wasn't up to the task at all.

Sooooooooooooo, what's the best way to clean dirt/grease off of a good
semi-gloss paint finish?

Thx,
Peetie


A heavy duty detergent will clean walls. Mr Clean is a good cleaner
and should clean walls well, and the tough areas use Fantastic. If
you can find it use TSP. Rinse the walls at least 2 times. Use
rubber gloves and eye protection.

On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:48:34 -0400, Phisherman wrote:

On Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:47:00 -0500, Peetie Wheatstraw
wrote:


Sooooooooooooo, what's the best way to clean dirt/grease off of a good
semi-gloss paint finish?

Thx,
Peetie


A heavy duty detergent will clean walls. Mr Clean is a good cleaner
and should clean walls well,

Never failed me before.

and the tough areas use Fantastic. If
you can find it use TSP.

I think I got some in the basement. But it didn't do so good when
I tested it years ago.

Rinse the walls at least 2 times. Use
rubber gloves and eye protection.

1.) I appreciate your and the others help.

2.) Here are the parameters of the problem:

a.) Walls and ceiling.
b.) Textured paint, rough, uneven surface.
c.) My poor health.

In a nutshell, if it's just standing and scrubbing (little/no
ladder) with a sponge-mop (roll-o-matic), I can do 20 min. here, 20
min. there, and get it done in under a week.

Otherwise I fear I'm outa luck.

Cheers,
Peetie

clipped


In a nutshell, if it's just standing and scrubbing (little/no
ladder) with a sponge-mop (roll-o-matic), I can do 20 min. here, 20
min. there, and get it done in under a week.

Otherwise I fear I'm outa luck.

Cheers,
Peetie


Perhaps you can make a deal with a neighbor or relative who is more able
to do the most difficult
part for you, in trade for work that is easier for you to do. Make a
deal. Good luck! )