spray paint on car *vandalism*

[ed]

Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

[JazzMan]

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

Oven cleaner? No!

Modern paints are fairly durable if factory applied. I'd
start with mineral spirits. How long has it been on the car?

JazzMan

[« Paul »]

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

I don't know what "over cleaner" is. But if you meant "oven cleaner",
it has a pH of 13 and destroys nearly everything. It is water based.
You will never fully remove it.
If it were my car, I would start with lighter fluid or tar remover,
then move up the Aromatic Hydrocarbon ladder one step at a time.

[ed]

OVEN cleaner yes. sorry bought that. damn fat fingers.

The paint situation generally occurs by surprise and is quickly discovered
the next morning.
We keep the cars waxed pretty well and the stuff usually comes right off,
but I agree oven (formally over) cleaner is too harsh. I think its the
sodium hydroxide that does the 'majic'. (mispelled intentionally)

[Robert Briggs]

Post by ed
OVEN cleaner yes. sorry bought that. damn fat fingers.
I agree oven (formally over) cleaner is too harsh.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ITYM either "over (formally oven)" or "oven (formerly over)".

I don't think it matters a great deal which.

:-)

[bowgus]

I (and my neighbors) used rubbing compound (apply by hand) when it happened
to us ... and lemme tell ya, if those little bastards had been spotted ...
well, the baseball bat by the door would have been put to good use.

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

[Nate Nagel]

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! step away from the oven cleaner. It's a great cleaner
but it will strip off your paint.

I'd suggest something like acetone, if the spray paint has really dried
on there you might need to step it up a bit and try a quick (and I do
mean quick) wipe with lacquer thinner or enamel reducer.

If all else fails, you may need to remove it mechanically by means of a
polish. Do not be tempted to use stronger solvents.

nate

[HLS]

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

Luckily perhaps, a lot of spray paint is inferior in quality and application
to
factory paint...and, if you car has been waxed, the graffiti may not adhere
so very well.

As others have posted, use a 'mineral spirit' or 'lamp oil'. You don't want
any solvent with high aromatic content, since that could also attach the
base paint.

A very fine rubbing compound available from a parts house may also be
helpful.

My son and I did a project car which ended up with a beautiful metallic
green paint job. His grandmother, oblivious to the car as to most other
things, went
to the garage and sprayed some of her crafts with white paint from a can.
What a disaster! But by getting at it right away and a little elbow grease,
we were able to clean the white overspray off the green perfectly. So, I
know it can be done in theory.

[s***@my-deja.com]

I'll add your story to my list of reasons why I should keep my car
waxed.

If it were mine I'd be experimenting with all types of things. Start
with mild stuff and work your way up to harsher stuff. Like mineral
spirits -> cleaner wax -> polishing compund -> mild paint removers.
When your done use a clay bar and then wax it.

[ed]

yeah, as far as the culprtis.... well, they owe a few dozen people a lot of
money in a few neighborhoods this week.
I usually only have this problem around halloween and when my baseball bat
is still out and handy from the summer league, but I see a nicely placed
video camera in my near future. Maybe then these punks will have to pony up
some bucks for some damages or as it usually goes with vandals in my area,
they'll get warrants on them and they can answer to a judge too.

[JazzMan]

Post by ed
yeah, as far as the culprtis.... well, they owe a few dozen people a lot of
money in a few neighborhoods this week.
I usually only have this problem around halloween and when my baseball bat
is still out and handy from the summer league, but I see a nicely placed
video camera in my near future. Maybe then these punks will have to pony up
some bucks for some damages or as it usually goes with vandals in my area,
they'll get warrants on them and they can answer to a judge too.

Hehehe, if it were my car I'd get the punks back out to my
car so that they could finish the job, and I'll make sure the
buggers sand all the rust off first. LOL!

JazzMan

[Brent P]

Post by ed
Other than over cleaner meticulously ran across the new paint and quickly
wiped off, are there any good solvents to get fresh spray paint (bright
orange) off a car and leave the under lying paint intact?

Oven cleaner will likely destroy your finish. I would just use something
like mequiar's heavy cut cleaner. Been able to remove overspray and paint
transfer with it. Followed up with show car glaze. Basically the heavy
cut cleaner is an easy to use polishing compound. polishing/rubbing
compound will work as well, just have to be more careful with them.