Clay not removing spray paint...

[Exquisite]

I detailed a new client today and he had spray paint all over his truck. I guess he was driving down the freeway and a spray can was bouncing down the street and exploded sending the paint raining down on his truck. The paint is more like drops than a mist. I clayed the surface with both light and agressive clay and the paint didn;t even budge. I then tried 50/50 vinegar and water and PB`s Bug Squash and neither of those did anything. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove this stuff?

[Jngrbrdman]

Have you tried paint mineral spirits? That should take the paint right off.

[PhaRO]

Would the mineral spirits soften the clear coat? Sounds like it would be pretty easy solution. I run into paint on cars now and then and it`s a pain. Today had a grand marquis with road paint splatter down the sides (mainly passenger). It was like cake icing in the areas closest to the wheels. I use plastic razor blades for road paint. Regular overspray I clay.

[TrueDetailer]

Have you tried paint mineral spirits? That should take the paint right off.

Ditto, a few wipes with it will remove the spray paint without damaging the clear.

[Brenton]

Some options:
1. Use a more abrasive clay.
2. There is now a "foam clay bar" in an aerosel can with foam clay applicator sort of thing at my local body shop supplier.
3. Mineral spirits.
4. If the vehicle is urethane enamel paint, use some reducer. If it is b/c, use paint thinner (be carefull).
5. Plastic razor blade.
6. #3 or #4 + razor blade.
7. If it is not car paint, talk to a hardware specialist.

A lot of car paint in cans has an activator in it. Nasty.

[gator1]

After using all those steps mineral sprits with a light touch works great for me
I have never had any bad things happen to the panit!!!

[tubafeak]

www.topoftheline.com has a road paint remover, you could try that.

[G35stilez]

Goof-Off will do the trick and you can find it almost everywhere. (Yes, Goof-Off, not Goo-Gone).

[Beemerboy]

Here is a SUV that I did some time back, this lady had hit a aerosol can of white road stripping paint...it was about 24 hours old when I attacked it.....I used lacquer thinner on this, but that`s really aggressive...I later learned that mineral spirits would have done the same but with allot less hassle..I caution you on the plastic areas to be careful on the finish even with MS. The glass I used a razor blade for that....the process is to work slow and take your time....I did this at the wash stage, with two buckets one clean water for rinsing and the other soapy water for cleaning....I used an old rag put the LT or in your case MS on it wiped a 12 x 12 inch area, then soapy water and rinse...took a long time but as you can see I got it all off.

[Jngrbrdman]

Ouch. Made me think of this tragedy. At least yours was on the outside, eh? ...poor Mercedes.

[Beemerboy]

All I can say is WOW

[Exquisite]

Thanks everyone I will give the mineral spirits a try.

[Exquisite]

Well, unfortunately the mineral spirits did not work at all. I tried it first on the chrome bumper of his GMC truck and the paint didn`t budge. I poured some on a terry cloth and held it there to let it soak in for about 30 seconds and then began to rub a few spots with no luck. I don`t know what to do now, the only thing I can think of is that the paint is some sort of industrial paint or it has been on the paint baking away in the AZ sun.

[TrueDetailer]

Well, unfortunately the mineral spirits did not work at all. I tried it first on the chrome bumper of his GMC truck and the paint didn`t budge. I poured some on a terry cloth and held it there to let it soak in for about 30 seconds and then began to rub a few spots with no luck. I don`t know what to do now, the only thing I can think of is that the paint is some sort of industrial paint or it has been on the paint baking away in the AZ sun.

Sounds like you need to step it up then... If MS or LT won`t budge it i would wetsand it off, and use steel wool on the chrome.

[TrueDetailer]

Didn`t think about it when i posted about the wetsanding but i would try compounding it first.