Previous in Forum: NVH   Next in Forum: Hydraulics
Close
Close
Close
12 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
Active Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 16

Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 9:13 AM

anybody know how to remove latex paint overspray from a car? Don't know how old it is but maybe a year? I first tested with alchohol, then H2O based thinner, then laquer thinner. So far nothing makes a difference. Is there a solvent that won't take off the finsh but will remove the overspray?

Register to Reply
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Guru
Hobbies - Fishing - New Member

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 13529
Good Answers: 468
#1

Re: paint overspray

02/08/2011 9:53 AM

If lacquer thinner didn't touch it, it's not latex paint.

Lacquer thinner will soften up latex paint almost immediately. And you would have to work quickly, doing small areas at a time with very little lacquer thinner to prevent damaging the finish on the car.

I'm going to tell you this, but don't blame me if your finish gets messed up.

Part of the problem with lacquer thinner is that it evaporates too quickly to remove the paint. A product that I've used, that removes overspray and won't evaporate, is brake fluid.

Test first!

1) Fold up a soft rag and dampen with brake fluid.

2) Work in a circular motion, and do small areas at a time.........don't allow brake fluid to puddle on car finish!!!!

3) Once an area is done, immediately follow up with a water dampened rag.

4) When finished, wash car, give it a go over with car polish, followed by a good wax. Don't do any of this in direct sunlight or when the finish is hot.

__________________
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin
Register to Reply
Guru
Hobbies - Fishing - New Member

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC USA
Posts: 13529
Good Answers: 468
#2
In reply to #1

Re: paint overspray

02/08/2011 10:22 AM

One more.

If the paint actually is latex and it's been there for a year, it's become kind of baked on.

Take a bath towel and get it soaking wet in a bucket of water mixed with some liquid dish detergent. Lay it out over the overspray and let it sit for 5-6 hours, (maybe over night). If it starts to dry, mist it with a hose. The idea is to allow the latex paint to absorb the water/soap mixture and soften up to the point that it can be wiped off. This won't hurt the car finish in the least. Good luck!

__________________
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin
Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#3

Re: Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 12:46 PM

Goof-off™ claims that it will remove latex paint.

Goof-off™ is 90% xylene.

I wouldn't use it on my vehicle, but.........................

I realize it's moot, now, but why did you wait a whole year to try to remove it???

Register to Reply
Active Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 16
#6
In reply to #3

Re: Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 2:19 PM

Just bought the truck yesterday. Got a discount because of the overspray but it isn't as easy to get off as I thought. Right now I've got a test patch with vaseline on it and I've tried a steamer that didn't work. Worst case, repaint, but hoping to clean it off. d/

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Posts: 4496
Good Answers: 137
#4

Re: Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 12:53 PM

Have you tried T-cut? Used in UK, if it's not available where you are there's bound to be an equivalent. It's a very mild abrasive cream and restores gloss to matt paint eg after wet flatting. It might remove the overspray.

BTW what is latex paint? It's not something I'm familiar with, but I haven't done any car spraying for a good many years.

Cheers..........Codey

__________________
Give masochists a fair crack of the whip
Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 206
Good Answers: 4
#5
In reply to #4

Re: Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 1:14 PM

I would use no 1200 wet paper with soap and polish afterwards with P11......a very fine rubbing compound/polish.

Register to Reply
Guru
Hobbies - DIY Welding - New Member

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
Posts: 1177
Good Answers: 58
#7

Re: Paint Overspray

02/08/2011 3:09 PM

I'm surprised the steamer did not work, it should have if the paint is truly latex. Try putting a hot steamy sponge or rag on the paint, let it rest there a little while, to soften the paint.

If it is not latex, you are in real trouble, the vehicle will have to be buffed out to remove the overspray. Have the buffing done by a professional, some car washes offer buffing.

After buffing, the vehicle will look just great, then you can have it waxed or sealed.

__________________
mike k
Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 687
Good Answers: 21
#8

Re: Paint Overspray

02/09/2011 1:52 PM

Go to your local Sherwin Williams store and ask for a product call Paint prep. It comes in qt bottle and is a citrus based product that loves latex. Should remove only the latex and leave everything else alone. Or go to a company called "Hurry Safe" and look up web site. Take a look at one of the products they offer (Sherwin Williams materials is from Hurry Safe).

Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - bwire Hobbies - Car Customizing - New Member

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Upper Mid-west USA
Posts: 7498
Good Answers: 97
#10
In reply to #8

Re: Paint Overspray

02/11/2011 12:06 AM

Sometimes referred too as "Prep-Solve"

__________________
If death came with a warning there would be a whole lot less of it.
Register to Reply
Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - bwire Hobbies - Car Customizing - New Member

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Upper Mid-west USA
Posts: 7498
Good Answers: 97
#9

Re: Paint Overspray

02/11/2011 12:05 AM

Bon-Ami works fine

__________________
If death came with a warning there would be a whole lot less of it.
Register to Reply
Active Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 16
#11
In reply to #9

Re: Paint Overspray

02/18/2011 12:16 AM

O.K. guys, here's the final answer. It was determined by detail and auto paint shops that the overspray was road striping paint. Nothing we tried would remove it BUT one night I left it out of the garage and it got ice on it. By accident I rubbed the ice away and the spray came off too. So then I used a plastice 4" scraper and went over the entire truck in about three hours. Viola, it's gone. Now it does need to be polished and buffed but that saved me a $2000 paint job. I'm happy. Thanks to all for your suggestions. I tried them all. d/

Register to Reply
Guru
Popular Science - Weaponology - bwire Hobbies - Car Customizing - New Member

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Upper Mid-west USA
Posts: 7498
Good Answers: 97
#12
In reply to #11

Re: Paint Overspray

02/19/2011 7:05 PM

Thanks for the heads-up...

__________________
If death came with a warning there would be a whole lot less of it.
Register to Reply
Register to Reply 12 comments

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

bwire (3); carnut2mch (2); Codemaster (1); fixitorelse (1); jurie sa (1); kramarat (2); lyn (1); mike k (1)

Previous in Forum: NVH   Next in Forum: Hydraulics

Advertisement