Removing road paint from car

[Quickstep192]

It looks like my drove through some blue paint in her new car. It seems like latex paint (kind of rubbery). I want to remove it, but I want to be extra careful to not damage that car's paint, especially since it's new. I was thinking goof off, but I'm not sure about using that on new generation paints. Any ideas?

[1979-930]

Clay bar kit is what any professional detailer would use. Its a lot of work but the safest on the clear coat. Latex is easier than other paints to get off.

[Lyle O]

Originally Posted by 1979-930

Clay bar kit is what any professional detailer would use. Its a lot of work but the safest on the clear coat. Latex is easier than other paints to get off.

^^ Agreed...but do it quickly. The longer you wait, the more the latex will cure, and the bond to your underlying paint will become stronger.

The sooner, the better...

[Quicksilver]

Start with a clay bar. That will usually get it but you want to get it soon.

[zedsn]

there is a product called goof off? It is made for latex paint removal.

[Puma]

+1 on the clay bar. I did this last weekend for a friend and it works.

[RSBob]

Originally Posted by zedsn

there is a product called goof off? It is made for latex paint removal.

Goof Off is great for removing adhesives and sticky residues. The stuff is strong and toxic in enclosed areas, so use only in good ventilation. It's not made for latex paint removal but will probably remove it and what's under it too.

[Cooper911SC]

I am a professional, this is no joke, take a paper towel and lacquer thinner and wipe it off.

You can/should try the clay bar first, doubt it will do much.

The paint on your car is a catalyzed tough surface. You would be surprised at how much rubbing you can get away with.

*caveat* (of course there is one) use common sense and work from area to area. In other words, if the latex is softening but not coming off after about a minute start working another section. After another minute or two circle back to the last section and wipe more.

Of course this process is going to strip off any wax. You will want to wash, polish, and wax any affected areas after the latex is off.

Last year I spent 8 hours removing red latex from the left side of a white Ford F 350 Super Duty. Terrible job! Just take one panel at a time and you'll get through it.

One thing to NOT do is take a buffer to it thinking "this will polish off". Very good way to burn the paint surrounding the latex splatter. I have seen the aftermath of people/detailers trying this.

Best luck. Cooper

[rsNINESOOPER]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

What Cooper said-
The Lacquer thinner is great, don't be afraid to get a soft rag soaked with it (use gloves!) and gently wipe the paint splatters allowing the Lacquer to do the work for you. Another helpful tool if needed is a thin guitar pick or a credit card. You can use the edge of either one to gently pick/scrape any areas that are stubborn, thick or a crevice you can't get the rag into.

OR, you could take it into a body shop who will be glad to repaint those areas for thousands of dollars. Best not to.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

It looks like my drove through some blue paint in her new car. It seems like latex paint (kind of rubbery). I want to remove it, but I want to be extra careful to not damage that car's paint, especially since it's new. I was thinking goof off, but I'm not sure about using that on new generation paints. Any ideas?

I would NOT use laquer thinner on new paint. USE: Xylene and not goof off.
Then wax.

[bigel]

Goof Off IS xylene, no?

Originally Posted by Fixer

I would NOT use laquer thinner on new paint. USE: Xylene and not goof off.
Then wax.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by bigel

Goof Off IS xylene, no?

not quite, but it contains xylene. xylene is gentler on auto paint imo

[Quickstep192]

I got the paint off if the sides of the car, but inside the wheel wells is a different deal. The wheel wells seem to be a kind of sound absorbing material; unfortunately, it seems that it's also paint absorbing. Nothing seems to move the paint on this material that is like hard felt. Any ideas, or should I just shoot it with some flat black?