How to Remove Paint Spots on Cars
April 10, 2009 | In: Motoring
Removing Paint Spots
Yes. I understand the cringe on your face as you look at that unsightly paint spot on your car. Paint spots can really ruin a car, especially in the process of removing the former. Before you pull
at your hair for having to spend big bucks on removing the spot, you can always try these inexpensive and safe tips:
If your vehicle acquired the spot while it is in the vicinity of paint (like you, painting in the garage and for some reason paint spatters on your car, or stuff like that), all you’ll have to do is to get a moist cloth or sponge and wipe the paint off before it has a chance to dry.
If, unfortunately it’s too late to do anything, and the paint has gone unnoticed until it’s already as dry as desert sand, first thing you do is to move the vehicle into a cooler and well ventilated area. Make sure that there it won’t be caught by direct sunlight.
The next thing to do is to figure out if the paint is water-based, or oil, or enamel. If you have no idea, then assume that the paint is water-based.
Get a cloth and submerge it in water. Place the water-logged cloth on the paint spots and let it sit there for a few hours or until the paint softens. Check periodically and make sure that the cloth is wet if the paint is still hard. When the paint softens, you can remove the spots by wiping them off with a soft, dry cloth.
Now, if the paint has no signs of absorbing water, then the paint must either be oil-based or enamel-based. Either way, you can do the same treatment. Just soak a piece of cloth in mineral spirits or paint thinner. Rub at the paint working your way from the outer edges towards the center. Do this gently and carefully so you won’t damage the car’s finish. When the paint starts to come off, you can proceed rubbing it away but this time with a soft, dry cloth.
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