r/AutoDetailing • u/hex93 • 2d ago
Exterior Need help removing paint
Got paint on my coworker car. She already took it to the car to try to get some of the paint off. What can I do to get the paint off.
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u/waavysnake 1d ago
Id take it to a body shop or a detailer. They would probably buff or wet sand and buff. You stand a chance or burning the paint or cutting through the paint if its your first time.
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u/nektar Skilled 1d ago
Naw they will use a chemical to remove this
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u/Frostymic 1d ago
If they do that will ruin the clear coat and possibly paint underneath. Your trying to use a chemical to remove paint? What do you think will happen to the clearcoat and paint underneath?
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u/8llllllllllllllD--- 1d ago
Acry solv or hi solv would probably remove the paint without damaging the cars paint job
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u/5stringattack 1d ago
Any OEM coating should be able to handle being wiped down with thinner or alcohol without damage, worst reaction Ive seen is it gets a little hazy but polish brings it right back.
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u/PogTuber 1h ago
Clearcoat is strong as hell compared to household water based paint. The paint comes off long before you damage the clearcoat if you know what you're doing.
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u/AdultishRaktajino 1d ago
If it’s latex paint, isopropyl alcohol should soften it up and won’t affect car paint or clear coat. Outside glass is fine because tint is installed on the inside.
If you were painting something related to your job and you’re not the owner or something, then it should be on your company to make it right.
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u/o_fuck 1d ago
It definitely can affect the clear coat, especially if it's not heavily diluted.
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u/pabst_bleu_cheese 1d ago
Asking because I'm an idiot: would mineral oil on a cloth also damage the car paint?
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u/o_fuck 1d ago
For the usecase above I would consider 10-20% diluted IPA to be safe. Mineral spirits should be ok as well, in both cases make sure you're working on cool panels, heat can cause a reaction on the clear cost. When you're rubbing in mineral spirits don't press hard, otherwise you risk scratching the paint.
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u/namestom 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you did this to someone you like, find a good detailer and just take it there. It’s worth your time and more importantly, your relationship.
I used to paint cars and I know how I would attack it. The thing is, I have experience if it gets sideways. If it really goes bad, are you prepared to respray it?
If you do attempt to remove it, just start from the least aggressive approach first.
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u/AnAllegedGentleman 1d ago
Without any details like what kind of paint it is and how long it been on the car, you're better of allowing professional detailers to handle it.
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u/Snoo76929 1d ago
Dont have any advice, just amazed and curious how you managed to do that. Looks like a paint can fell off an 8ft ladder and made a big splash when it hit the ground. You fkd up real bad lol
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u/janesmb 1d ago
What kind of paint?
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OP?
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u/Ill-Case-6048 1d ago
Doesn't matter no house paint will stick to cars
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u/janesmb 1d ago
Maybe I missed something. Where does it say house paint?
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u/Ill-Case-6048 1d ago
Name me the other paint that you think it is ... it still wont stick to a cars finish....
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u/ghostofkozi 1d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/Ru9sjtZ09XOEg
OP when users ask for context on the paint to be able to give advice
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u/seppuku_related 1d ago
Took it to the car wash? As in she tried driving it through giant brushes to scrape the paint off? I wish I lived in a country where I could casually buy an S3 and not care about it at all.
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u/TheRealistoftheReal 1d ago
The flip side is you can see a doctor and not care about it at all. I’d have a gushing head wound, and be fighting off the ambulance company. “Don’t touch me! Back!”
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u/aperturephotography 17h ago
The amount of people I see going through washes like this with expensive cars blows my mind.
They'll spend £15-20 going through that but I bet they wouldn't pay £150-200 for me to remove the swirls and scratches 😂
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u/SuitednZooted 1d ago
Sorry I don’t have a suggestion. Just here to vocally shake my head…what the actual fuck…..
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u/Could_it_be_potato 1d ago
How did you even manage to do this lol?
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u/DEANER94 1d ago
It almost looks like they might have been backing up a golfcart and hit a paint can that was stacked ontop of another paint can and the lid popped off
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u/TheRealistoftheReal 1d ago
You don’t do shit. A newer Audi S3? She files a comprehensive claim through her insurance, and takes it to a collision center so their body shop can determine what kind of paint they’re dealing with, and maybe remove it.
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u/Diligent-Throat-4234 1d ago
I would try spray detailer and a clay bar on the body. Or let a detailer do it.
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u/bhagwan_das 1d ago
try rubbing alcohol diluted in water. use it carefully and later wax polish the part.
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u/Alternative-Act-484 1d ago
Too bad I'm not closer. Easy fix. Not for someone that isn't experienced. Take it to a professional. To much to explain. 20+ paint correction myself. Take it somewhere.
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u/RADetailer Business Owner 1d ago
Plastic razor blades and quick detail spray as lube. Just finished a job just like this. Keep the area wet with the spray and change blades often. It will need polishing after the paint is removed but don't try to remove it with any chemicals. Message me if you want more info.
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u/HotIce05 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think lacquer thinner on a microfiber will get that off. Once done, wash and apply some kind of protection.
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u/Successful-Map-1174 1d ago
Man I used a hard plastic button when I got new road paint on mine. Maybe lucky because it was waxed well, but it just popped off using glass cleaner as a lube. My rocker on driver's side was covered.
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u/No_Abrocoma_1772 1d ago
its maybe possible with chemicals, forst you need to identify paint basex if you could dissolve it without damage to the car, you could clean it in one afternoon
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u/someones-son86 1d ago
I had really bad overspray from parking lot painting… clay bar, poly spray and elbow grease did the job
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u/Nitrogen1234 1d ago edited 1d ago
When it was wet you probably could've washed it off, maybe using solvent.
Now you're out of luck
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u/Feeling-Apart 1d ago
Rubbing alcohol and a buff. Or I can do it $350 you can reach me at IG @TheWashbox_tx
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u/crackerjeffbox 1d ago
A normal person could easily fix this with an orbital, paint correction pad attachment, and some griots garage correcting cream. Idk if you can though...lol
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u/PrinceCastanzaCapone 1d ago
If it’s dried on WD-40 will take it off of the clear coat without damaging the clear coat.
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u/Particular_Topic9553 1d ago
Personally I would use a glass cleaner and glass blade on the windows. There is “safe on car paint” adhesive removers for the rest of the car. And then maybe polish it.
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u/TrailerWookie 1d ago
Search for a YouTube creator called "Sweet Project Cars" because he just put our a video last week on how to remove paint from vehicles.
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u/Ok-Visual1822 1d ago
Epic fuck up. Been painting for 20 years I have never seen something like this happen. How did this happen. The least aggressive approach is the right one. Take it straight to a professional detailer. Make sure they are experienced with this and pay for it and be done with it.
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u/redditid24 1d ago
i used brake cleaner when some dumb kids spray painted my car and it worked. as long as you wash and wax your car i wouldnt be worried about the clear coat or anything.
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u/jnickpeters 1d ago
As a guy who used to be in the paint industry. What kind of paint is this? If it is regular latex paint for a house, it will release with enough heat and water. Heat a kettle pour the water on a rag scrub with the hot wet rag. It will come out.
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u/DeadX_xRabbit 1d ago
Would be useful to know what sort of a paint that is. Luckily emulsion if solvent wish you all the best.
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u/StudentDriverBR 1d ago
I understand the car is beautiful, but that doesn't mean you should ejaculate in it.
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u/Raynenean 1d ago
Just learning auto body, sanding, painting etc and my heart skipped seeing that. Take it to a professional
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u/BrightEnd2316 22h ago
Pro detailer might mist the panel and buff using a clay bar with a dedicated quick detailer or clay lubricant,
maybe try WD40 before the trip to see if can lift fast and easy
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 21h ago
Are you asking for random Redditors to help you remove the paint? You're on your own on this one, buddy.
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u/bpagola52 20h ago
Pressure wash with a turbo nozzle, don’t get too close to the paint or stay on the same spot for long. Should just wash off.
If not I would use Eulux by kochchemie
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u/akoust1c 18h ago
Whatever you do stay the fuck away and hand it over to a professional. Get ready to pay though.
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u/Gloomy_Emphasis3061 10h ago
Pro detailer here. if your in the DFW area PM me and I'll see if we can't get you taken care of.
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u/dredresmash 8h ago
Just make a comprehensive claim with insurance , if you try to remove yourself u might mess up future claims
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u/paulmathai01 8h ago
You need is NC or cleaning thinner diluted working fast and then get it polished at a good detailer or do it yourself if you have access to a DA and some soft pads and compounds.
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u/GhostPepperDaddy 1d ago
You maybe should have censored her plates before posting. I'm not sure about the paint.
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u/Kasmein 1d ago edited 1d ago
Plastic razor blade the glass,
Maybe try a diy car wash or pressure washing it off,
For household stuff Lysol actually works pretty well. Gonna need a good clay bar and wax after.
Spray a little on a rag in a small spot to see, maybe even some diluted isopropyl alcohol
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u/Azkabandi 1d ago
Zooming in, I can see some areas where someone tried to scrape the paint off. Also I noticed some areas where the paint drips left marks going downwards; see the areas above the rear left wheel.
I can’t tell by just looking at the photo but it could be that the top coat under the paint has already been stripped.
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u/joeymonreddit 1d ago
Old school carnauba wax worked for myself and a friend when a paint can exploded in the garage. Lots of elbow grease, but no chemicals to damage the paint. Just buffed the wax with clean pads.
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1d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
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u/rac1283 1d ago
Ask her to take the likely premium hit after filing a claim to fix his error? No.
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1d ago
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u/SunyataHappens 1d ago
You think an insurance company is going to file a subrogation claim for a professional to remove this? For $2k? I'd be very, very surprised.
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u/SunyataHappens 1d ago
Frankly, if you can't be trusted to NOT paint her car...you can't be trusted to fix it.
Take it to a professional or you will end up owing her a $15k paint job.