Remove paint from respirator lens?

[widebody911]

What's the best way to remove the paint/clearcoat/finger fingerprint smudges from my respirator mask? I don't really want to buy a new lens. The official documentation says "mild soap and a soft cloth" which isn't really doing much for this stuff.

[Baz]

Possibly:

Stain Removal | Adhesive Remover | Oven Cleaner

[Baz]

The sticky, gooey, gummy messes of life are easy to clean and eliminate with Goo Gone Pro-Power. The goo-removing, non-corrosive liquid formula is safe for surfaces and offers no-mess cleaning. Superior, extra-heavy duty industrial cleaner. Use on hard surfaces, carpeting, upholstery, clothing, and more to remove gooey messes. It’s great for project prep and cleans-up, adhesive removal and more.

Removes chewing gum, grease, tar, stickers, labels, tape residue, oil, blood, lipstick, mascara, shoe polish, crayon and bumper stickers
Cuts through grease and grime
Works on carpets, upholstery, clothing, wood, cement, metal and plastic
Non-corrosive
Low-VOC formula

$3.94 at Home Depot

[cgarr]

I have used the thinner that I use with the paint

[widebody911]

The important thing is to maintain the clarity. I have lots of stuff on-hand that would take it off,but it would destroy it in the process

[serene911]

Actually lighter fluid or BBQ lighter fluid will work very well.Usually will remove the paint
without hurting a plastic surface !

[targa911S]

mineral spirits..

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by widebody911

The important thing is to maintain the clarity. I have lots of stuff on-hand that would take it off,but it would destroy it in the process

This. Try lighter fluid or Goo Gone. Use thinner or mineral spirits as a last resort. Test whatever you use with a Q-tip in the corner to see if it clouds the plastic.

[targa911S]

mineral spirits are pretty harmless to plastics. Lacquer thinner or acetone would eat it up. Lighter fluid is basically mineral spirits..

[widebody911]

Ok, I have some mineral spirits on-hand; I'll try that.

Thanks!

[widebody911]

I tried mineral spirits, and it didn't do anything; took off a little bit of dirt and that was it. The GoofOff worked great, although there was an interesting phenomena when I first put it on the plastic: due to some sort of capillary action, it shot out in all directions on the surface, even uphill! It was weird. Once I cleaned it up, it didn't do that any more.

[dheinz]

My wife sells respirators for a safety company. She suggests tear-offs as a preventive measure...

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by dheinz

My wife sells respirators for a safety company. She suggests tear-offs as a preventive measure...

Yup, I have them now but I didn't back when I did those other painting jobs.