Thoughts on getting oil-based paint out of carpet?

[GonzoCRFan]

I was wondering if any of you who might have been apartment-dwellers have found ways to get solvent-based paints out of carpet, in the interests in protecting one's security deposit. I'm looking for something that's not as work-intensive as scrubbing them out with paint thinner (I doubt complete removal is even possible that way)...my first instinct is to just blend some paint that matches my carpet and airbrush the stains out...  ;D

[bambuko]

just re-arrange the furniture  ;D
Chris

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Dude, over painting sounds like a winner to me.

[RDG_Rich]

I haven't ever had to get paint out, but spilled wax and lipstick come out with ronsonol lighter fluid.

[GonzoCRFan]

just re-arrange the furniture  ;D
Chris

What little furniture I own is probably going to come with me when I move out. 

[tom mann]

Do you mean the linseed oil based paint?  Try an Orange Cleaner.

[haybros]

Goo-Gone

Bill Hay
www.nscaleloads.com

[GonzoCRFan]

The problem isn't finding a solvent that will dissolve the paint. I have paint thinner, acetone, concentrated orange cleaner, and Goo-Gone at my disposal. But what I really need is a method to utilize the solvent such that it doesn't just smear it all over the surrounding carpet.

[John]

But what I really need is a method to utilize the solvent such that it doesn't just smear it all over the surrounding carpet.

Carpet steam cleaner ..

[nscalesteve]

...a knife !   

[DKS]

Oddly, I had good luck getting black paint out of tan carpet using straight acetone. I was surprised that the acetone didn't damage the carpet. It took a fair amount of elbow grease, but it was worth it to see the carpet completely clean (whereas the cat puke stain in the hall was there for life, it would seem).

[wm3798]

If your closets are carpeted, carefully remove a square from the closet, and patch it into the offending area.  Take the stained square to the hardware store, find a can of spray paint that is a close match, prime, paint and put it into the closet to fill the patch of the "donor" material.  Close the closet door, move out, and wait for your check to arrive.

They're going to be more concerned about obvious stuff like the holes you smashed into the walls with your forehead, and the major appliances you already took to the pawn shop.

Lee

[chuck geiger]

Google stains, they usually have some weird things that work. Like spraying Lysol will break up food coloring stains on tile.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My wife, who does this type of things for a living (checking apartments), she said that Lee's closet trick might work the best of all solutions. Burying it in the closet is a good call.

You're going to get dinged if they have to replace the carpet, and they'll probably not care so much if it's in a closet.

My suggestion may not work, she said they'd probably catch on to it, as the texture would be a problem.

She said you might also want to think about cleaning it BEFORE it dries, next time.

[Chris333]

When I get soy bean oil based ink on my clothes at work it will sometime come completely out by spraying in with alcohol and rubbing.