How To Get Spray Paint Off A Car

Imagine waking up in the morning to see your most loved acquisition, your car, infected with spray paint!! Sounds ridiculous, isn’t it? However, if you have mischievous kids or vandals living near your residence, chances of your four-wheeler acquiring the offended paint run high. Nonetheless, do not fret, as we are here to help you out of your problem. Spray paint can be easily removed only if you act promptly. Just when you discover the nasty paint on your car, do not panic. Instead, act wisely and take measures to get your car back to what it looked like earlier. In the following lines, we have provided effective ways on how to get spray paint off a car.

Image: aresauburn™@flickr

Removing Spray Paint From Cars

Using Warm Water

First of all, fill a bucket with warm water and add detergent to it, until it turns into a soapy solution.
Now, with the help of a rag or dishcloth, scrub the offending paint.
The sooner you clean the car, the better it is, as it would help remove the paint, before it dries.

Using Nail Polish Remover

The first step would be to remove any dust particles that are on the car surface. This would help to avoid any scratches caused during the removal process.
Once the car has been cleaned, dip a clean cloth into nail polish remover. Make sure that the remover you choose has acetone as its main component. Squeeze off any excess remover from the end of the cloth.
Now, lightly rub the spray painted area with the cloth. Keep a keen eye during the cleaning process, as you reach the car’s original paint.
Once you have removed the unwanted paint, stop rubbing or else you might remove the car’s actual paint as well.
Thereafter, splash water and wash the car to remove any haze left by the acetone.
The next step would be to wax the car with a cleaner/wax that has a slight amount of rubbing compound in it.

Using Rubbing Compound

For this, you first need to buy a rubbing compound, which can be found at any auto parts store.
Dip a clean cloth in the rubbing compound.
Now, vigorously rub the rubbing compound on the offending paint, with the help of the dipped cloth.
Wash off the car with clean water.

Using Gasoline/Petrol

Gasoline or petrol can work wonders for your car. For this, take a soft cloth and dip it in the petrol container.
Now, rub the spray painted area of your car with it.
Once the cleaning is done, clean the car using lukewarm water.
The last step would be to wax the car. This is an essential step, as it would help remove spray paint the next time if it happens again.

Tips

Regardless of the method you use, it is advisable to check on a small, inconspicuous section of the car.
It is recommended to dry the car out under the sun, so that the paint does not get baked into the car’s finish.
In case you are using nail polish remover for getting rid of the offending paint, be careful around the rubber edges. This is because acetone can melt them, destroying the piece it touches. Also, make sure you keep the lid on the bottle after using, as acetone is known to evaporate quickly.
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.
In case of thick spots of spray paint, try scraping the excess using a sharp plastic edge, such as plastic ice scraper, plastic type spackle tool, plastic spatula, and so on. Do not try to scrape all the spray paint off
If the spray paint has tagged in your car windows as well, acetone and a razor blade would help clear it up easily.

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