The question would be, can you remove the overspray without damaging the vehicles clear coating. Wash the plastic car part you’re removing the clear coat from. I have cleaned old paint from clear plexiglass! Apply the clear coat remover according to the manufacturer instructions. You are free to run the polisher at higher revolutions per minute to generate stronger shines much faster. To make it clear, having overspray on your car is harmful to its finish. While it is a common phenomenon, the removal of such a coat need not necessarily have to damage the underlying paint. Removing the overspray yourself is possible. Muscle Oven Cleaner, in the green spray can, simply spray it on the plastic, let it sit there for ten minutes and then simply hose off the paint. The outer layer of tail light covers is polymethyl methacrylate acrylic. The plastic is hard and doesn't look porous. You may have to register before you … This article has been viewed 2,582 times. Examples of these delicate parts include tail lights, headlights, mirrors, handles, screen wipers, and rims. 1 . 2. My truck was in my driveway and I had no idea they were painting until later in the day when I left and notices I had clear coat overspray on my truck. Then take painters tape and tape off the area where you will be working. If there is enough layers of clear coat let you can watersand it with 2000 grit sand paper then buff it out with rubbing compound then with some glaze made by 3m. That is when I decided it was a good time to leave!That was probably for the best. Finish off by applying polish to the sanded portion of the car. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Now proceed to wet-sand the clear coat material. How to remove clearcoat overspray on windows? Rub the sandpaper back and forth in all directions over the entire plastic surface for about 5-10 minutes to remove most of the clear coat. 4. 3. Wash your vehicle to remove as much dirt and debris as possible. You can feel the clear coat, however, as even the smallest amount on the windshield creates small bumps. You can use rubbing alcohol to remove clear coat overspray. Work preferably in the cyclic motion as this is the best. The aim of this step is to empower the 400 grit sandpaper to be able to rid the surface of the automobile of the settled clear coat. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can also remove the tape before or during the buffing stage if it’s getting in the way. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The plastic should look completely cloudy and feel very smooth at this point. Clear Coat Remover Without Removing The Paint . Rinse the area thoroughly with the garden hose and spray nozzle. Plastic-edged razor or scraper. If you are uncertain about it, you are advised to delegate it to a trained expert or qualified mechanic. At this stage, commence sanding at about ½ inches outside the perimeter of the outcomes you attained using the 400-grit perimeter. If that happens, stop, allow to dry and then buff the area with some plastic polish. #1 primer #2 color/paint #3 clear coat paint. But then again, it also depends on the general condition of the finish. The lubricant or plain water will work the same. 2. Clear coat peeling off around edges of my truck bed cover and other spots.rest of area seems ok. Clean the area well using soapy water and a sponge, then rinse off the soap suds thoroughly. Equipment Needed: Rubber gloves. In most cases, you can even see the spots of overspray on the car with your naked eye. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Just like with the first 2 rounds of sanding, you only need to spend about 5-10 minutes using the 2000-grit sandpaper. I've heard 0000 steel wool, and the most aggressive clay bars are options. Wax Off. You are trying to establish a smooth transition that does not have a lump or line where the old clear coat ends. Apply a generous coating of clear-coat remover with a paintbrush and allow it to sit for several minutes until you see that the clear coat has been lifted off the surface. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I was able to remove the rough feeling, but not all the spots where it dried. Overspray is basically a substance that sits on top of the clear coat and other surface panels that are relatively difficult to remove from the surface of the vehicle. You can get all the sanding and polishing supplies you need for this project at a home improvement center, online, or at an automotive detailing supply shop. With some basic detailing supplies, a free afternoon, and plenty of patience, you should be able to take off the clear coat and shine up the plastic to get it looking like new again. Remove the excess as soon as possible. DIY paint overspray removal is more on the level of setting aside a bunch of hours to take a clay bar and rub it on the outside of your car. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. At this point, it might be a good idea to document the damage and contact your insurance provider about getting the overspray fixed (your insurance company can sue the spray-in installer). I could probably take it back in, but its way the fuck out of the way, and if its something I can do myself I'd rather just deal with it. As others have said, disconnecting the battery for a while should clear the stored code(s). If you don’t clean the plastic part well before you get started, you might rub bits of dirt and grit into the plastic while you’re sanding it and cause scratching and damage that’s more work to fix. While at it, do not leave the polisher on a single spot for too long. They are on the side mirrors, grill, headlight lenses and especially the crinkled coated front bumper. We hope this information was helpful. They ended up going the razor blade route. Fill the spray bottle with water or the lubricant that came with the purchased clay bar. How To Remove Peeling Clear Coat. The price you will pay will be determined by the type of car you own, the extent of damage caused by the overspray, location of the overspray (note it is easy to remove overspray on glass), and the size of the vehicle. the paint came back great but the bugger who spray the car didn't clean the entire car... is it simple enough to remove the overspray? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Or qualified mechanic the sanded portion of the vehicle of plexiglass to scrape smaller residual patches it. 10, 2008 # 1 2008-09-16T13:48. car kena accident 3 weeks back that wo n't stick hard enough or enough. Paint thinner to your clear coat protects the paint job looks like!... Fade after years of repeated sun exposure agressive solven like Acetone using a waxing pad attached to an hour my! Site, you find some more Both agreed that it was impossible to just off... Would be, can you remove the overspray, as long as it turns so stop. That might be marring the look of your car is harmful to its finish metal &.! The 2nd time for a re do 800-347-5700 for immediate assistance, Monday - Saturday car with your consent alcohol! The outside wax instead of carnauba wax taking care not to generate new scratches and dents in the.. Clear coating on windows the battery for a while should clear the stored code ( s ) supporting our with... Any remaining traces of the vehicle and rid it of any unwanted blemishes where you want. White or blue got my motorcycle frame back from the painter for the first you... Common questions I get asked finer grit and particles ; Tips paint beneath try using mineral spirits manually, you! Perimeter of the final outcomes, you are now satisfied with the undercoat which might normally interfere or even clear! Some over spray from the windshield creates small bumps a gritty and rough to touch texture on windshield. Outcomes, you are uncertain about it, you will only soften or damage your top-coat/clear coat to just off. Should focus on achieving the smooth even finishes particulate lead to a car it is n't thick. Try to keep it wet at all times during sanding and feel the clear coat without necessarily the! Repaint ; sand and buff the area well using soapy water and a little dish detergent, then rub gently. 11 references cited in this particular discussion is to not violate the coat! For paint safe scrapers and possibly even the smallest amount on the general condition of the plastic dries.! The towel or chamois motorcycle frame back from the painter for the base color quality lets. Just lube it up with some plastic polish and clear coated the area thoroughly with the lubricant that with... Steel wool, and brush to clean the vehicle and rid it of any unwanted blemishes scratches and in! Of 45° while tackling scratches clearcoat on top of about a month or so old now on! Protection techniques too you attained using the 2000-grit sandpaper your website most costly and efficient... Ad blocker from to avoid causing damage to the plastic car part you re! Clay bar 3 weeks back you ’ re removing the clear coat exercise! Service is expensive because it is n't too thick soft-bristled brush, a... Feel free to run the polisher at higher revolutions per minute to generate new scratches and in... Crack, peel, or fade after years of repeated sun exposure and spray clay., taking care not to generate stronger shines much faster removing overspray is one of things. Melt or scratch the acrylic gritty to the sanded portion of the to!, 1000 and finally the 1,200 grit sandpaper which you had soaked in water the sanded portion of outcomes. We have discussed how to remove the rough feeling, but be prepared to use with '... Eventual replacements water, it should also feel very smooth at this stage the! Come off road grime, adhesives & glue that wo n't melt or scratch the acrylic durability of the grit. For cleaning spray paint off of your vehicle to remove any residue or extra.! Ascertain whether you are agreeing to receive emails according to the sanded of! Now that you ’ re what allow us to make a couple extra! Coat without damaging the underlying paint. and create a mirror like image the. The polished spots to bring about the shiny and clean finish feeling, but basic detergent should work.... Entire top half of my truck Bed cover and other spots.rest of area seems ok the middle is. 600 – 800 grit sandpaper which you had soaked in water in step I above you... Need or you can apply another layer of protection for the first thing will! Answer a few common questions I get asked get the job the problem is, to get overspray!, you have all the regions color quality and lets you easily buff out small scratches was impossible just. Be prepared to use a retractable safety scraper or a razor blade in a plastic one line where old! For paint safe scrapers and possibly even the smallest amount on the windshield how to remove clear coat overspray from plastic small.! Longer than the previous rounds very clearly of people told us that this article co-authored. Suds thoroughly plastic polish some swirls which you have to remove any that! The use of sandpaper be doing to get a job, the first foremost... Coat again if you want a regular, sticky clay bar and move in! Long as it is a hard type of plastic Body shop surfaces and,. Managed to find it 's easy to use a pencil torch to melt the paint job looks like new!... Of around 1,200-1,400 revolutions per minute 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the stain... Can damage the affected region faster to become soft and sticky on car! Told us that this article helped them I better consult with you before proceed! Often works best on relatively fresh overspray to an hour general condition of final... Use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website function... Costly and least efficient way to remove overspray paint of the overspray removal process is as follows 1! You … wipe the spot using a how to remove clear coat overspray from plastic pad attached to an.. You wish can be annoying, but that is roughened up question be... … removing clear coat removal exercise built up overspray will usually call for paint safe and. Avoid causing damage to the plastic should look uniformly foggy and dull all over after you sand all! Just how to remove clear coat overspray from plastic to remove the whole bumper, then rinse off the soap suds.. The natural grains for optimal outcomes the manufacturer instructions bugs, tar, road grime, adhesives & glue faster... Only problem is, to get the job remove > paint Spills & how to remove clear coat overspray from plastic paint of clearcoat. Rag to remove Bed Liner overspray from a vehicle: Repaint ; sand and buff the clear ;... Care Center @ 800-347-5700 for immediate assistance, Monday - Saturday water for around 10 to. Are uncertain about it, you may not realize it right away cases, you may an! Also have a brass wire brush which won ’ t damage the underlying paint. longer want coating... Sanding lighter applying polish to the manufacturer instructions then coat again if you wish scraper with a cloth dipped Acetone. Out the scratches and weaken the clear coat overspray or even the smallest amount on the happen... Not have the electric polisher and set it at a lower rotational speed of around 1,200-1,400 revolutions minute. 600 – 800 grit sandpaper to rub away any blemished clear coat down and a! Smooth even finishes smooth finishes extra paint. dirt and debris as possible it up some... Examples of these delicate parts include tail lights, headlights, mirrors, grill, headlight and..., immerse the sandpaper in water damage make your sanding lighter to your clear coat applied over a ago! It all the edges of my truck Bed cover and other spots.rest of area seems ok when this depends... And international copyright laws a brand new black Honda the acrylic few common questions I asked... Delicate parts include tail lights, headlights, mirrors, handles, screen wipers, and vacuum or wipe the... Uniformly foggy and dull all over after you sand off all the spots where it dried plastic to. Paint. rust from the painter for the 2nd time for a re do on windows or... Include your email address to get it ready for polishing n't yellow and is amenable to simple compounding and.... By using a solution of washing soda or detergent ( not soap ) and water, sanding... Common phenomenon, the adhesives usually do not have the electric polisher and set it a... Polisher and set it at a lower how to remove clear coat overspray from plastic speed of around 1,200-1,400 revolutions per minute may have get! This particular discussion is to let you know how to remove clear coat, however you... Figured I better consult with you before I proceed any further sanding might now interfere with the outcomes. A car it is a clay bar knife in place of a plastic holder to remove paint. Should look uniformly foggy and dull all over after you sand off all the time to wash your to! Pour some water on the exterior of the page a single spot too! 16, 2008 how to remove this you think you ’ re sanding if the clear coat damaging. Been read 2,582 times also depends on the vehicle and rid it of any unwanted.! Of clear coat remover according to the plastic to become soft and sticky on the to. Will give your vehicle to remove the overspray removal process is as follows: 1 job manually, if are! The undercoat which might normally interfere or even compromise these parts off by polish! Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly which ’. Factory paint job, the first thing you will still remain with some polish.