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dirtex same as TSP? powdered vs. spray Dirtex...

13 years ago

Big box store is telling my husband that Dirtex is same as TSP. Is that true?

I was planning to use powdered Dirtex to clean my bathroom shower walls and ceiling (painted) prior to repainting. I was told the nice thing about Dirtex is that you don't have to rinse the product off the walls.

So, the Big Box store gave my husband the spray version of Dirtex as they don't have the powdered version. However, when I read the instructions on the can, it indicates that the product must be rinsed and cleaned off the surface, and that you CANNOT use it over Latex paint.

I don't understand why the powdered version is ok to clean latex surface paint, but not the spray.

????

Featured Answer

farnac

12 years ago

I forgot to mention that I chose to scrub the wood with Dirtex rather than sanding. Also even though you don't have to rinse with this product, if what you are cleaning is really dirty, you do have to wipe off the "crud" with a damp cloth...

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Comments (9)

Faron79
13 years ago
I've been one of the big-time proponents of POWDERED Dirtex wall-washing. Learned this big pearl of wisdom from a formerly regular member here....Brushworks.

Powdered cleaners and regular "liquid" cleaners are two different things!!!!! I'm no chemist, but there are ingredients in liquids to keep the cleaning-agents in suspension, that aren't required in powders. Those added ingredients are most of the reason the shouldn't be used b4 painting.
>>> They can leave residues of their own that interfere with new paints' adhesion.
>>> TSP is a great cleaner....BUT....has to be rinsed multiple times, or a haze can be left behind that...guess what...interferes with a new paints' grip.

I'm glad you double-checked the HD's off-the-cuff/mistaken instructions!!!

Faron
lori_mcdermott_yahoo_com
13 years ago
Dirtex question: I am re-painting trim in a new-to-us house. The current paint isn't flaking off the trim and it appears to be in good shape, I'd venture to say it is only a couple years old... Is it possible to give the trim a good scrub with dirtex (powdered) using a green nylon sponge and get away with not sanding? I'm planning to prime or use a couple of coats of Aura for the trim. While I know it is not a perfect way to go, is this passable in your (professional and highly valued)opinion?
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A LIGHT washing with POWDERED Dirtex will do fine. Just keep surface lightly damp and avoid water-runs. Then, do a light scuff-sanding with 220-grit sanding sponges, and remove ALL dust. Next, I'd recommend Sikkens Cetol UV-Interior. * It's ~ $40-$50/gallon on average. * Real good "Photo-recovery" properties. Meaning...when you move pictures around, it'll return to original color fairly soon. * For people doing light wood ceilings or walls, it's a best-bet! We usually have people getting 3 to 8 gallons of the stuff for a large interior! Faron Here is a link that might be useful: Sikkens info...
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Surely your ACE at least has some TSP?!?!?! This requires a good rinsing or 2 tho.... Faron, those are fighting words!..just kidding. TSP is too risky. We know it hinders adhesion if not properly flood rinsed and wiped away. The most common failure is at baseboard joints and other nooks and crannies on any paint project. If you can not find Dirtex, Jasco TSP Substitute works as well and it's no rinse when applied according to directions. When washing walls, you need two buckets, one sponge and two towels. One bucket with solution and one bucket with rinse. Rinse will be changed often. Dip sponge in solution and wash. Rinse sponge in rinse bucket *before* going back to solution. Wipe wall with towel to dry and continue the process. Michael
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The shellac primer should do the trick for addressing the nicotine stains (make sure to use a good respirator and provide adequate ventilation, it's stinky stuff). But before that step, I would recommend getting a good pole sander to scuff all the walls and then tack cloth off the dust to ensure good adhesion of the primer coat. The paint will not cover the knife cuts, so you'll need to patch those areas also. I like lazy_gardens advice for matching the texture but if you have trouble with that product, you could try joint compound as it's a little easier to work with and dries firmer. Another option, depending on how much texture there is on the walls, is to get a thicker roller nap (maybe 3/4 inch) and spot-finish the patched areas a couple times with the thick nap to build a paint film to match the existing walls. Nicotine is a tough obstacle and even completely redoing the room may not entirely eliminate the odor unfortunately, but it's worth trying before ripping out all the drywall. Good luck.
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Lori A. Sawaya
13 years ago
I've been one of the big-time proponents of POWDERED Dirtex wall-washing. Learned this big pearl of wisdom from a formerly regular member here....Brushworks.

Yup. Many of us learned that very valuable lesson from him. Thank you for the expanded explanation, Faron.
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
13 years ago
Dirtex question: I am re-painting trim in a new-to-us house. The current paint isn't flaking off the trim and it appears to be in good shape, I'd venture to say it is only a couple years old... Is it possible to give the trim a good scrub with dirtex (powdered) using a green nylon sponge and get away with not sanding? I'm planning to prime or use a couple of coats of Aura for the trim. While I know it is not a perfect way to go, is this passable in your (professional and highly valued)opinion?

Depends some on what primer you use, but in general ,yes, you should be good.
lnmca
13 years ago
Thank you so much for the answer!

I've chickened out and decided to sand the trim I've gotten to so far but we have a whole wall of bookshelves and about 5 doors that I may not have the patience (or stamina) to sand down. I'm responding for LMNCO. Somehow it let me post a message without logging in but it won't let me post a follow up without doing so.
farnac
12 years ago
I've been using Dirtex (only powdered because you can control the strength) for MANY years.

I have used it successfully to prep for painting, instead of kilz. Also, even though there is a caution against using on wood, I used it (2T to 1 gallon water) to scrub black mold off teak on a boat before varnishing with Sikkens.

Most excellent stuff.
HU-957169848
5 years ago
Can Dirtex adequately clean old oak cabinets in preparation for painting them?
lms_1209
3 years ago
I am looking for the same answer as above question

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