Get Spray Paint off a Car

There’s nothing quite like waking up to find that your car’s paint job has been defaced by mischievous kids with a can of spray paint. When vandals strike, don’t panic. Follow these steps to get the spray paint off without damaging your car’s finish or putting a big dent in your wallet. Happy cleaning!

Steps

Treating the Paint Immediately with Soapy water

  1. Fill a bucket with very warm, soapy water. Use a mild detergent, such as dish soap or a car-washing solution.
  2. Use a rag or dishcloth and scrub the offending paint. Depending on the vandals’ choice of paint, your problem may be solved right here. Keep in mind the vandalism may just be a playful hoax with easily washable paint. Regardless of the type of paint, if it hasn't fully dried yet, this may do the trick. The sooner you try to clean the spray paint, the better. What could be a soap-and-water job could turn into something much more difficult if the paint is allowed to dry and bake in the sun.

Treating with Nail Polish Remover

  1. Get any brand non-acetone nail polish remover. It's formulated to take the enamel layer off fingernails, which is essentially what you're attempting to do with your car's finish.
  2. Pour some liquid onto a terrycloth towel.
  3. Rub very gently to remove spray paint. It should take it right off.
  4. Wash and rinse thoroughly when done.
  5. Add a coat of wax after the wash and rinse.

Treating with Meguiar's Clay

  1. Purchase the Smooth Surface Clay Kit, which includes detailing spray (which you would use as a lubricant for the clay), some wax and a microfiber cloth.
  2. Use the clay to remove the spray paint. It works very well and isn't harsh to your paint.Follow the instructions that come with your kit.
  3. Wax your car afterwards.

Treating with Acetone

  1. Purchase some acetone, a chemical solvent that can be purchased in large bottles for big jobs but which is also found in most nail polish removers if you just need to treat a small area.
  2. Apply acetone to a small, inconspicuously located section of the damage. Either dip a rag in the acetone to apply it or dab it on with the brush included with nail polish remover. Wipe the surface clean immediately with a clean, dry rag, and wait a minute or two.
  3. Continue incremental acetone application on the test area. If your car’s paint becomes discolored or faded, do not apply any more acetone. If your car’s paint seems unaffected, but the spray paint remains as well, try applying some more acetone and this time rubbing the affected area a little before wiping clean with a dry rag. The spray paint may come right off on the first pass, but it may take a little scrubbing and repeated application, especially if it is thick in spots. The clear-coat finish on most vehicles is much more durable than spray paint, so you won’t easily damage it, but controlled, incremental testing in a small area minimizes the risk of damage and ensures that any damage that does occur will be small.
    • Wax the car after the spray paint is removed.

Treating with Rubbing Compound

  1. Purchase rubbing compound, which can be found at any auto parts store.
  2. Use a dry, soft cloth and vigorously rub the rubbing compound on the offending paint, testing a small area first before tackling the whole thing. You might also try a slightly abrasive microfiber cloth (these can also be purchased at auto parts stores).

Treating with Gasoline or Petrol

  1. Try petrol. It might damage your clear coat, but it will get rid of most spray paint. This should only be used if the paint covers a very small area.
  2. Wax your car after cleaning, this makes it easier to remove spray paint if it happens again.

Treating with Brake Parts Cleaner (Spray)

  1. If paint spatter doesn't come off with soap and water, but can be scratched off with a fingernail, try spraying brake cleaner on a clean piece of cotton rag and another to wipe cleaner off car. Rub the rag over small sections at a time until removed. Wipe off cleaner.

Getting Professional Help

  1. Call the body shop and the insurance agent. If all else fails, or if you’re nervous about trying to remove the paint yourself, get an estimate from a professional. He may be able to remove the spray paint (probably using one of the methods described here) or the car may need to be partially or entirely repainted, depending on the extent of the damage. If you carry comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, vandalism should be covered, so check your deductible and file a claim if the bill will be more than the deductible.



Tips

  • Paint thinner, rubbing alcohol, and WD-40 are often recommended to remove spray paint. You can try them for acetone, but if acetone doesn't work, it is unlikely that these will, either.
  • Crisco! It is the easiest method. Rub it generously on the area, wait few minutes and it literally wipes right off.
  • For particularly thick spots of spray paint, try scraping the excess off with a sharp plastic edge (i.e. - Plastic ice scraper, plastic type Spackle tool, plastic spatula, etc.). Do not try to scrape all the spray paint off—avoid making contact with your car’s finish.
  • Not sure if you’re making progress? After you wipe the paint, check the rag to see if you can detect any paint residue. While you’re at it, make sure the residue isn't the color of your car’s paint.
  • There are also some products that are marketed as being specifically formulated to remove spray paint. These can be a bit more expensive than the other options here, but try them out if nothing else works. Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to first test it on a small, inconspicuous spot.
  • Try the original formula Easy Off Oven Cleaner. Don't let it dry; just spray it on, let it sit for a little bit, and spray it off! Wash it after and get some wax on the finish. It must be the original formula!
  • If your car windows also got tagged with spray paint, acetone and a razor blade should clear it up easily.

Warnings

  • Don't use brake fluid on your car's finish, it will soften the paint and you will have longer term damage. There's even a warning on the brake fluid to not get it on painted areas.
  • Chemical solvents such as those mentioned here are typically flammable and can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Thoroughly read the warnings on the product, and follow the instructions.
  • Using chemicals may remove the clear coat, but it can be replaced without damaging the paint.
  • The use of some of these chemicals may require the use of a respirator.
  • Make sure you are not damaging your finish in any way before you proceed past the test spot. Examine the test spot in different lighting conditions to make sure you are not missing any discoloration. Even if the test patch worked all right, periodically check your work as you proceed. If you do more damage than the vandals, you’re going to run into a bigger bill, and your insurance may not fully cover it.
  • Before reporting a claim, find out if it will increase your insurance rates or affect your policy. Vandalism claims generally will not adversely affect the amount you pay for insurance, but exceptions do exist depending on your company, state regulations, and the status of your policy.)
  • Avoid getting solvents on rubber or plastic trim. Acetone and its cousins can quickly eat or melt away at such materials.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Get_Spray_Paint_off_a_Car&oldid=355666"