"unfinishing" carpet

"unfinishing" carpet · 02-12-2008, 08:50 AM

With my never-ending pursuit of finishing pieces of furniture in a dust-free environment, together with not having a shop, I sort've finished our entertainment center in the spare bedroom. Annnndddd........ummmmmm..... Lets just say there is a little bit of stain on the carpet.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Trent

cskipper · 02-12-2008, 09:15 AM

It's probably irrevelant, but what did you finish it with?

Bas · 02-12-2008, 09:22 AM

Hardwood flooring?

Stain is notoriously difficult to get out. Water-based or oil-based?

Trent Mason · 02-12-2008, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by cskipper

It's probably irrevelant, but what did you finish it with?

We finished it with Minwax ebony stain (We didn't poly it in that room so it's just the stain on the carpet). We had newspaper and cardboard down underneath it, but it still got through that in a few little spots.

It is just regular carpet, nothing fancy. I thought of trying some paint thinner or something in the closet corner and checking for discoloration. Just wondering if anyone has any solid advice of what to try or what not to try.

Thanks,

Trent

cskipper · 02-12-2008, 09:37 AM

Is it gel, water or oil based?

cskipper · 02-12-2008, 09:39 AM

Here's a link to their site - contact them and let us know.
http://www.minwax.com/

Larry Rose · 02-12-2008, 10:00 AM

New carpet

Trent Mason · 02-12-2008, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by cskipper

Is it gel, water or oil based?

It's oil based. It says cleanup with mineral spirits, so maybe I should try that. Thanks,

Trent

TBone · 02-12-2008, 10:43 AM

Your best option might be to cut out a section in the closet and "switch" it with a cut out section with the stain.

McRabbet · 02-12-2008, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Larry Rose

New carpet

Or a throw rug...

Seriously, the best option suggested so far is to cut the stained section out (use a rectangular/square piece of plywood that just fits over it as a template) and then use the template to cut a duplicate (be sure the pile "grain is the same direction) from your closet as suggested. Use double faced Carpet Tape (BORG) to fasten it down and smooth the edges... I've done this for serious pet stains before.

Trent Mason · 02-12-2008, 03:19 PM

Yes, I think this is a good suggestion. It just might work, depending on how far apart the spots are. The closet isn't very big, so it would really depend on how far away those spots are. I'll check it out when I get home.

To be honest, the stains aren't that bad. Don't picture a couple of black puddles on the carpet, it's more like you have a little bit of stain on a brush and then gently make one stroke over a little bit of carpet. That's why I was thinking I might be able to get it with a little bit of mineral spirits and a clean white cloth. Thank you all very much for your suggestions.

Note to self: Staining on carpet is a STUPID idea.

Thanks,

Trent

nelsone · 02-12-2008, 04:19 PM

Do you have any remnants of the carpet? If you do, cut the stain out and plug it. If not, you'll probably need to replace the carpet in that room.

DaveO · 02-12-2008, 05:10 PM

Mmmm, ebony carpet....stain the whole thing to match. Be a trend setter, the carpet will never look dirty again

I don't know much about stain stains, but I have some experience with paint stains

Dave

Trent Mason · 02-12-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

Mmmm, ebony carpet....stain the whole thing to match. Be a trend setter, the carpet will never look dirty again
I don't know much about stain stains, but I have some experience with paint stains

Dave

Ahhhhhh........ now there's an idea! Just don't light a match anywhere near it!

The sad thing is, ebony would look a thousand times better than pink. Yes, PINK carpet. (I rent this house)

I might try mineral spirits and if that doesn't work I'll take some carpet out of the closet and go that route. Please trust my judgement, when I do buy a house, there will be no pink carpet and I'll be staining everything in my SHOP.

Trent

jerrye · 02-12-2008, 07:29 PM

Plain ol' vegetable or corn oil might emulsify the stain, and would not be as agressive against the carpet fibers as mineral spirits or a solvent. Remember, carpet fibers are polyolefin or nylon fibers, so anything that'll dissolve plastic needs to be avoided. If the cooking oil works it's also easier to clean out with a standard carpet spotter.

HTH