Overspray Removal Suggestions Needed

[SSR330Ci]

I've got a 77' 911S with random overspray that got on the car when the lower front valence was repaired at a body shop about 10 years ago. The overspray is light and mainly visible due to a lack of luster in the roof and fenders, it is not oxidation. The car is a solid color, sort of a creamy yellow, it is the original paint overall except the front valence. I'm thinking about wet sanding it with 2000 grit, then polishing the area with a foam pad. I've heard bad things about wool pads on rotary polishing machines, I'd rather have light overspray than burn through the paint. Several folks have recommended the Makita 9227 polisher. Any suggestions?

Also, does anyone know if Porsche used clear coat on their solid paint jobs in 1977?

[Oh Haha]

Try using a clay bar first using LOTS of liquid with the bar. USe some car wash soap mixed with water and keep the bar and the area wet at all times.

If that doesn't remove it, then I would use a 1500-2000 grit compound with a buffing wheel.

I would avoid wet sanding and wheeling if at all possible, though.

You should post this over in the auto body forum, too. Lots of experts hang out there.

[pgeorgeson]

+1 on the clay bar. I had overspray on mine from an interior painting, and the clay bar worked in removing it.

[Wavey]

Ditto on the clay bar - bet it does the trick.

[HFR_Racer]

Acrysol and a rag. Use with caution.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Try using a clay bar first using LOTS of liquid with the bar. USe some car wash soap mixed with water and keep the bar and the area wet at all times.

+10 Exactly what I would do. I was amazed at the results the first time I used a clay bar.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Are clay bars useful for the initial rubbing-out of new paint? I'm currently using 1200/1500/2000-grit wet sandpaper, then compounding paste, all by hand. I've never used a clay bar. (I've had an orbital polisher for five years now, never used it.)

[GaryR]

A clay bar is used to remove contaminants embedded in paint, usually as the first step in a full polish/wax preparation. It is not in any way abrasive or part of the blocking out/polishing of new paint. I can't imagine how it would remove overspray but if these guys say it works, so be it. I would use a hand compound and cotton towel myself, then finish up with a good polish..

[Wavey]

It depends on how well the overspray is bonded to the paint, but I've had great luck with it. Stephen - Gary is right - clay bars are totally nonabrasive. But they are so easy and fast to use, I think it's well worth a try in this case before going to abrasive compounds.

[80-911SC]

maybe just me but the over spray has been there for 10 YEARS and "the fenders etc have lack of luster " wash car, strip wax , rubbing compound, polishing compound, wax ,and wax again ... .

[GaryR]

Missed the 10 year part.. if it's been there that long and the car has been washed 100 or so times since and it hasn't worn away it will take course compound or fine sandpaper to get it off! You could clay bar that until 2050 and just end up with enough clay to make a set of pots... and the same amount of overspray...