Removing Car Paint Overspray

[Mach1er]

I got my baby back from the body shop a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to do a full wash and clay this weekend. Looks like they had it a little too near some painters spraying white bodywork while she was in pieces. Some of the tinier bits came off with the clay but the larger dots (and they're actually still tiny) won't come off with clay or finger nail. I'm hesitant to wet-sand anything since the paint is otherwise perfect.

Reading somewhere to try citrus engine degreaser, so I tried some Purple Power Citrus Cleaner on the rear window that had overspray on it and it did soften the dots enough to get them off the window. Razor blade was going to be my next try.

Is citrus degreaser safe on my clear coat? I've tried it on the exhaust tip covers and it took the paint right off of them

Is there something else I should use for the paint? Maybe Goo Gone or Goof Off?

[SixBanger]

To get rid of over spray, you'd want to use a clay bar.

[Mach1er]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

To get rid of over spray, you'd want to use a clay bar.

Tried. the overspray is too stuck on to come off with clay bar.

[Gray_Panther]

Once in awhile heavy degreasers wont do much to your clearcoat. Washing it often with degreasers is bad.

Sounds like you need a polish or a compound to remove those. Or a more aggressive grade claybar

[cheshirecat79]

I'd suggest you take it back to the body shop and have them fix it properly. They have all the equipment to do so and they should not charge since it's their screwup.

[Mach1er]

Edit: The clay I've tried is the Zaino Clay Bar. Maybe a more aggressive clay would do it. @cheshirecat79 : I don't trust them to not mess it up more. They've had to fix a number of things for me already that were imperfect.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Edit: The clay I've tried is the Zaino Clay Bar. Maybe a more aggressive clay would do it. @cheshirecat79 : I don't trust them to not mess it up more. They've had to fix a number of things for me already that were imperfect.

In that case, the next step is a more aggressive clay. If that still doesn't work, a compound polish should pull it off.

[Mach1er]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

In that case, the next step is a more aggressive clay. If that still doesn't work, a compound polish should pull it off.

Ordered Griott's Garage Paint Cleaning Clay. Next step up from that I'm looking at Chemical Guys Medium Gray bar.

[motley2012]

Superfine wire wool to remove overspray from glass

[generalg]

Acetone or lacquer thinner or automotive paint reducer all products use with extreme caution. Test a small area!!

[E82MSport]

Honestly, they type of over spray on the surface of your vehicle can be removed easily dependent on material.

If the over spray is urethane basecoat (i.e color) than you can usually remove it safely with lacquer thinner. Saturate a clean microfiber towel with body shop grade lacquer thinner and place on the panel for about 30 seconds. After you have allowed the solvent to work, wipe the panel or surface with a clean towel. Repeat if necessary. Hand polishing might be necessary with a mild polishing compound followed with wax of your choice.

If the over spray is urethane clearcoat, try the lacquer thinner approach and if that doesn't work you will need to sand. Urethane clear coat tends to bite in much harder that basecoat. CAUTION with sanding. If you have never wet sanded I would leave it to the body shop that performed the repair.

If you live in California where water based products are used (mandatory by EPA) then take it back to the shop that did the work.

As others mentioned, if you have over spray on glass you can remove with clay, 0000 steel wool, razor blade or my method with solvent.

To be honest, I would do as mentioned and take it back to the shop that did the repair and have them address the issue.

I've worked in the refinishing industry for many years and feel very comfortable with the directions given because I know how to correct paint properly. If you don't feel comfortable do the next best thing and take it back to the shop that did the repair.