Painter accidentally sprayed my truck - can I get if off?

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richklhs

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My neighbor was having their house sprayed by a painter on a windy day and a couple days later I realized the wind carried the paint over the yard and splattered the back of my truck. Appears latex based, but doesn't just scrub off. Needs some kind of thinner or cleaner to get it off without removing the clear coat? I can stand there and scratch it off one speck at a time but it would take a few hundred hours. Anyone have any clever suggestions or products?

Not worth fighting with this particular neighbor or painter to make them fix it, just trust me on that.
 

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huntergreen

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I would ask a body shop how to remove it.
 
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KoboldTaco

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I have personally used rubbing alcohol and some elbow grease. It will remove your wax so be sure to visit a shop right after for a clay bar service without delay.

Also, it might be worth considering goo-gone And do a test spot somewhere you won’t notice it. That stuff always impresses me.
 

avantiguy

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If ask a body shop how to remove it.
Good idea.

A couple more suggestions:
Because latex doesn't have a catalyst to harden you might try tar and sap remover as that's safe for the finish.

A good clay bar treatment mjght also work.

If all else fails, try a detailer in your area.

You might also talk to your insurance company or file a small claims action to pay for the cleanup. Name both parties the painter and the neighbor. The action might bring closure before court.
 

tidefan1967

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Undiluted white vinegar. Had some baked on epoxy paint stuck to my old truck that I needed to get off before I sold it. I even tried acetone, lacquer thinner and mineral spirits and they wouldn’t remove it. The internet suggested white vinegar and it came off believe it or not.
 

NJMOPAR

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Had a similar problem when my neighbor painted her chain link fence with Rustoleum. I used lighter fluid and got it all off without damaging the clear coat.
 
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richklhs

richklhs

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great suggestions, much appreciated. Ill start with spot checking vinegar and go to lighter fluid then call in the experts if needed.
 

Dean2

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Hoppes #9 gun cleaner. It will remove the latex and do zero damage to your paint. Even takes indelible marker cleanly off your paint. Other option that is cheaper is plain old gasoline, one of the best universal solvents ever, but everyone freaks out when I suggest that. Don't need to hear the same death by boogalo stories yet one more time.
 

Tray Burge

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Water based latex i'd imagine?
I'd try a synthetic clay bar keeping it soapy and wet in the shade first.
 

tjfdesmo

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Alcohol is what we used in the paint business to see if a coating was latex. The other thing painters used for overspray removal was Dirtex aerosol spray cleaner. Always test in an inconspicuous spot before going hog wild.
 
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Water based latex i'd imagine?
I'd try a synthetic clay bar keeping it soapy and wet in the shade first.
This is what I would try first myself even though I don't like synthetic clay bars for this it would work perfectly, then a polish will fix any small scratches that you are going to end up introducing to the finish ... but don't worry it's easily fixed with a claybar treatment and a polisher ... don't be shy!
 
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richklhs

richklhs

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Used some gas and a paper towel yesterday and the paint came right off the body. The plastic trim on the other hand is a disaster since it is so rough and porous. Its gonna take a lot of scrubbing and a lot of gas to get it all off. Appreciate the suggestion
 

Dean2

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Used some gas and a paper towel yesterday and the paint came right off the body. The plastic trim on the other hand is a disaster since it is so rough and porous. Its gonna take a lot of scrubbing and a lot of gas to get it all off. Appreciate the suggestion
Plastic trim, use Hoppes 9 or gas and an old tooth brush. Cleans far faster than paper towel on the rough surface. Make sure you wash and brush with good soapy water right after so you don't white out the trim.
 

Dinky

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Mineral spirit will take it off and won't harm it. I myself would take it to the body shop and send the bill to the painter.
 

GMcD

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Buy a gallon of goof off. I did an exterior detail job a few years ago who had the same issue. I wiped the whole car down with goof off and then wash it. It looked like it never happened.
 

joesstripclub

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Buy a gallon of goof off. I did an exterior detail job a few years ago who had the same issue. I wiped the whole car down with goof off and then wash it. It looked like it never happened.
Goof off works really well and wont remove any paint and is less harsh than a lot of solvents. I had this happen a couple years ago on a windy day but I washed my truck immediately and it all came right off. I think I had waxed it not too long before so there was a good wax coating still. I would try a medium bristle scrub brush on the trim with either soap and water or some solvent. I think a solvent will probably chalk up your plastics pretty bad though.
 

IDSandman

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I would have talked to the painter regardless of what the “trust me” issue is. It’s his responsibility to make sure overspray is contained and cleanup. If he argued then I would have just politely walked away and took my truck to a detail shop then sent him the bill with a pay by date and a letter stating if payment is not made then you will file small claims as well a Bbb report. Full photo documentation as well.
I had a similar issue with a painter spraying stain. Came out to my truck covered in stain. Showed his employees and within 30mins the owner was there and told me to get it in asap and he will cover any expenses.
 
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