how to remove spray paint from auto paint ?

[Fencer]

I did an internet search and found everything from wd-40 and brake fluid to laquer thinner and acitone.

Any one hear with a KNOWN method to remove spray paint withgout harming the original paint?

I was out cleaning one of my trucks and have found that someone (see employee) must have tossed something on a can of spray paint and the can exploded. (read as losts of little white dots and a smear{they tried to clean it off?} on a nice shinny black truck).

suggestions?

 

[Afast03nNJ]

Go to Home Depot and get a can of Goof Off. I use that stuff at my detailing shop, it takes off just about anything from automotive paint including spray paint. It does not harm the finish, just use a little hand polish on the area after using it.

 

[Scab]

If that doesnt' work, come by the house and let's break into my self-of-shit and find something.

Oh yeah, whatever you do, don't use brake fluid. It will remove ALL your paint.

What kind of paint in the spray can? (makes a difference)

DO NOT use laquer thinner.

 

[Fencer]

I'll give the goof off a shot.

the spray paint was the cheap $1 walmart stuff I use to mark the ground.

 

[c2insa]

all you need is to go to the local parts store and get some clay. The clay is used in combination with a solution like "final finish" (the quick wax that is sold for removing bugs between washes).

Wash the car and dry it. Work a 1ft area at a time with the clay,keeping it lubricated with the spray wax. Use only horizontal strokes. After you see a good bit of the overspray on the clay, knead it thoroughly and reshape it into a pad to start again.

This works well, but depending on the amount of paint oversprayed, it may take quite a lot of rubbing. The surface will feel rough as you wipe the clay and begin to feel smoother as you progress. Once you think the paint clean, spray the surface and wipe your clean hand on it to make sure. If you do it carefully you will not make deep scratches in the vehicle paint. After the overspray is removed, wash the area and use a fine scratch remover. Best results will come from a high speed polisher.

Since you will already have the polisher out, now is a good time to treat the entire vehicle with a polish, glaze, and wax.

if you have any questions I will be glad to help you out

 

[FJRandy]

Meguire's Deep Crystal paint cleaner.

I just did my nephew's black Mercedes after someone sprayed (what I believe to be) Krylon type enamel on it. We ended up doing the whole car, it came out so nice.

This stuff removes all the swirl marks in black paint too. You won't even have to rub hard, this stuff takes it right off.

I tried one of those "clay" products once......threw it in the trash. Especially after finding this stuff.

 

[painman]

Go to your local GM dealer's parts department and purchase a can of 3M Tar & Bug remover. Use it to start with gently in a conspicious spot, it works great but it will also strip the wax. Re-wax when done. PM. <>< :assassin:

 

[bikemonster]

I did an internet search and found everything from wd-40 and brake fluid to laquer thinner and acitone.
Any one hear with a KNOWN method to remove spray paint withgout harming the original paint?

I was out cleaning one of my trucks and have found that someone (see employee) must have tossed something on a can of spray paint and the can exploded. (read as losts of little white dots and a smear{they tried to clean it off?} on a nice shinny black truck).

suggestions?

Laquer thinner is the answer. Bought a used Italjet that someone sprayed the muffler without protecting the bike. Got spray paint all over engine and body work. Went to automotive paint shop and asked for their advice and was told to use the laquer thinner. Worked fantastic. Wipe vigorously with towel dampened in thinner and the overspray comes right off with no affect on the original paint. Wouln't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

 

[Scab]

Laquer thinner is the answer. Bought a used Italjet that someone sprayed the muffler without protecting the bike. Got spray paint all over engine and body work. Went to automotive paint shop and asked for their advice and was told to use the laquer thinner. Worked fantastic. Wipe vigorously with towel dampened in thinner and the overspray comes right off with no affect on the original paint. Wouln't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

You got lucky. I have a little expertise in the area. (in the collision repair industry for 10+ years, taught for 10+ more) Laquer thinner is a very aggressive solvent. Laquer thinner comes in various grades and purities. Too many variables with the product, too many variables with the finish you are trying to clean. It is not worth the risk. There are other ways. If you must use a "thinner", then go with an enamel reducer from an auto supply store with a "fast" evaporation rate. But even then, I would only do when all other options had failed. Any type of solvent will try to attack your finish. That's what it does. How well it succeeds will depend on a whole truckload of variables including, but not limited to; type of finish, curing method of said finish, age of finish, condition of finish, oxidation of finish, mil thickness of finish, in direct sunlight or not, type of solvent, temperature range of solvent, maker of solvent, actual ingredients of solvent, time of contact of solvent, virgin vs. recycled solvent, etc.

Exhaust all other options first.

Back when Ford trucks were experiencing delamination and were being repaired under warranty, we used nothing more than laquer thinner to completely strip the finish in preparation for repainting. The problem was mil thickness. The finish left the factory thin. The ultraviolet rays were able to penetrate the topcoat and oxidize the e-coating, thus causing it to turn loose of the topcoat. Due to this mil thickness deficiency, it was subject to easy destruction by solvent.