How to remove spray paint from a car
Spray paint has landed on top of your clear coat, not in it. That is why it can come off at all. The catch is that anything strong enough to remove spray paint can also attack your clear coat. How long it has been there decides which gives way first.
What kind of repair does it need?
Specialist removal by a detailer, not a panel shop. The paint is softened and lifted in stages, checking the surface as they go. Fresh graffiti is the easiest to remove. Old graffiti that has baked in the sun often takes the clear coat with it, and then the panel is painted.
Caught fresh, it lifts off and the paint underneath is fine. Left long enough to cure in the sun, it takes the clear coat with it, and the panel is painted.
What to do next
The sooner it comes off, the cheaper it is. Do not try thinners, acetone or a hardware store graffiti remover yourself. They can strip your clear coat and turn a cleaning job into a respray. Photograph it before anyone touches it. Report it to the police, and ask your insurer whether it is covered.
Sources
- The Drivemedia
Don’t apply the chemical directly to the car, as it can drip down and damage your car’s clear coat or paint job.
- Chemical Guysproduct seller
Over time, it can mess with your car’s finish and bond intensely, turning what would be a quick cheap fix into a major costly headache.
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