Removing Shoe Polish from Carpets?

allenk4

allenk4

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BEFORE

WP_20141106_12_04_35_Pro_1_.jpg


AFTER

Note: It is a beam of light causing the lighter area above the Mercedes Logo

WP_20141106_13_17_15_Pro_1_.jpg





Overall, I am pleased with how these floor mats turned out

The Owner was surprised how clean I was able to get them

I was, however, unable to remove what I think is Shoe Polish. I believe it is shoe polish based on the color and where the stains are located on the carpet. I looks like it rubbed off of the back of the Driver's Shoes



Any suggestions on what could have been done to get that last little bit out?


My process was as follows:


- Brush with Blue Cyclo Brush on a PC
I think the stiffer white version is probably better for carpets

- Vacuum

- Spray with Folex

- Dwell

- Agitate with DA

- Rub with white cotton towel

- Hit stubborn spots with Optimum Power Clean (APC)

- Agitate with DA and stiffer hand brush

- Rub with cotton towel

- Hit it with Folex again to neutralize the alkalinity of the APC

- Blasted the mat with a hose (careful not to get the foam backing wet)
I had applied quite a bit of liquid cleaners at this point

- Wet vacuum to extract the remaining liquid

- One more time with white cotton towel to remove remaining dampness


By the time I got to the last step with the cotton towel, there was no color/dirt coming off



1st three mats took 20 minutes. 40 minutes on the Driver's side mat....way too long



Quick Tip:

Don't lay a $200 floor mat directly on the ground, put something underneath it

Protects the back of the mat and looks more Professional too
 
You're not going to get this out,that stain is cause by the dye of the shoes,I've try hundreds of times to get those type of stains out nothing works
 
An alkaline doesn't neutralize an alkaline...(i highly doubt folex is alkaline)

A solvent will dissolve shoe polish. Ideally you want to use one made for carpet and upholstery but goo gone or goof off will work okay. Just rinse like crazy with water.

Matt
Professional carpet cleaner
 
Denis Ware said:
You're not going to get this out,that stain is cause by the dye of the shoes,I've try hundreds of times to get those type of stains out nothing works
Click to expand...

With the right products and education it is possible to remove.

I'd say I have a 20-50% success rate.

Many times using the wrong products will set stains.
 
toycar18 said:
An alkaline doesn't neutralize an alkaline...(i highly doubt folex is alkaline)

A solvent will dissolve shoe polish. Ideally you want to use one made for carpet and upholstery but goo gone or goof off will work okay. Just rinse like crazy with water.

Matt
Professional carpet cleaner
Click to expand...

I am told that Folex has a pH of around 7

Will try Goof Off next time

Thanks
 
lol
toycar18 said:
With the right products and education it is possible to remove.

I'd say I have a 20-50% success rate.

Many times using the wrong products will set stains.
Click to expand...

From what I am learning you want to try a non-alkaline cleaner first, because alkaline cleaners can set Organic Stains on some instances

I believe Meguiar's is now suggesting that their new D106 Fiber Rinse & Tannin Stain Remover be used 1st and then APC or other Alkaline product that works on grease & oil. Not sure if a 2nd application of the Giber Rinse is required at that point
 
toycar18 said:
A solvent will dissolve shoe polish. Ideally you want to use one made for carpet and upholstery
Matt
Professional carpet cleaner
Click to expand...

Matt,

Does AGO sell anything that fits the description above?

If not, can you suggest something

Thanks,


Kyle
 
Great work.!! May have to dye the carpet to back to normal... Not all comes out... Nice post , good work, do not beat yourselve up!!
 
Got sucked into the YouTube Vortex for two hours watching Professional Carpet Cleaning Videos

The guys who are doing office and home carpets look like they are way ahead of us Detailers when it comes to specialized products for things like gum, nail polish, red stains and shoe polish

Looks like I will have to make a trip to my local Pro's Choice retailer for some goodies
 
allenk4 said:
Got sucked into the YouTube Vortex for two hours watching Professional Carpet Cleaning Videos

The guys who are doing office and home carpets look like they are way ahead of us Detailers when it comes to specialized products for things like gum, nail polish, red stains and shoe polish

Looks like I will have to make a trip to my local Pro's Choice retailer for some goodies
Click to expand...

You are on the right track. Pro's choice is the way to go.
 
allenk4 said:
lol

From what I am learning you want to try a non-alkaline cleaner first, because alkaline cleaners can set Organic Stains on some instances

I believe Meguiar's is now suggesting that their new D106 Fiber Rinse & Tannin Stain Remover be used 1st and then APC or other Alkaline product that works on grease & oil. Not sure if a 2nd application of the Giber Rinse is required at that point
Click to expand...

Not necessarily.

I honestly don't know why you would use an acid 1st. This makes absolutely no sense. Maybe meguairs need to take an IICRC class on carpet and upholstery if they are truly recommending a fiber rinse prior to pretreatment for general soiling and stains.

Most stains are on the acidic side so you use alkaline. This neutralizes the stain and allows it to be lifted. But there is a lot more to stain removal than that.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Do you have any comment on the Meg's Detailer line D106/D116 carpet cleaning system released last year that Allen mentioned?

PS Allen there was a good Detail Fest presentation on the system here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HweQSpYdhRs
Click to expand...

It's good to see they are offering stuff for you detailers. But if you really wanna become an expert take a class or go to a local supplier. Jon don, interlink. But be careful. Some stuff is highly concentrated and is possible to take color out of carpet and upholstery.

Fiber rinse is great to see. Neutralizes ph. Reducing residues that contribute to rapid resoiling. May help the fabric to dry soft. May speed drying.

It probably wouldn't be very effective against wine tea and coffee. It may work and may not work in some cases. Also it will take several hours before it starts to lighten up so don't expect instant results unless it easily rinses out which sometimes tannin stains do. I don't think I have ever seen a fiber rinse with a tannin stain remover combined. But I think they are trying to keep it simple.

Additionally tannin stain removers are the most effective at removing wine tea coffee etc. Oxidizers work so much better but you need to know what you are doing.

Protein stain remover is good too. But Oxidizers work better in most cases.

What is an Oxidizers.....go take a class.
 
Edit....tannin stain removers are NOT the most effective at removing wine coffee tea....Oxidizers are typically much more effective.
 
If its shoe polish then you need a solvent. Naptha, mineral spirits, brake clean , will get shoe polish out . Naptha is very flamable so be careful.
 
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