Getting paint splatter off of the real paint

Drove to work in the dark yesterday morning. Truck in front of me ran through something. I guessed limestone or similar because it kicked up a small cloud. Didn't think about it, got home and looked at the right side of the car - it was white paint. It's everywhere. Spots from the front bumper all the way to the back, wheels, tires, and two large stripes on the lower door.

I grabbed the rubbing compound last night and it didn't seem to faze it. It was dark already so I gave up. Came home tonight and tried again, more serious this time. The paint is heavy, sort of like latex wall-hide. Rubbing compound does nothing. If I scrape with my nail it will eventually come off. I did one spot about the size of a pencil eraser. It took approx. 3 minutes (felt like 10 but I'll be more realistic at 3) of solid scraping with my nail. At this rate I estimate 40-60 hours to clean it all off.

I'm pretty demoralized. Any thoughts on products to try or anything else?

You might go to a local paint or hardware store to see they have anything designed for the purpose. If you need a scraper with some the consistency of a finger nail, guitar picks work great.

bgkast wrote:

I wouldn't recommend this, it'll get rid of the white paint but it'll take the original paint with it.

I don't think you'll find a solution in the form of a chemical, that paint is just as "real" as your car's original paint, the only thing you have going for you is that it's poorly bonded so you can remove it without damaging the original paint underneath.

If scraping works, stick to scraping. keep it wet with water and use a plastic spatula. I think you'll find that when the white paint has had more time to dry it will come off more easily.

Nail polish remover or your choice of more aggressive solvent. You won't hurt your cars finish if you rinse it off in a timely fashion. Not even brake fluid will ruin your paint job immediately.

I had a similar situation years ago and used enamel reducer to remove it. I was careful and it didn't hurt the paint.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

If it's latex paint you can get it off your car with a chemical without damaging the car's paint, assuming your car isn't painted with latex paint...maybe not a safe assumption around here.

That product specifically states it can be used on cars.

Google up the answer and you will get a lot of hits. Isopropyl Alcohol seems to be a re-occurring theme. Buy the 90% at the pharmacy. Oven cleaner was a surprise contender.

What grit of rubbing compound are you using? I splattered automotive paint on the side of my van in a moment of stupidity. The "fine scratch" grit of compound wouldn't touch it. Moved up to a fairly harsh compound and it came off with a LOT of elbow grease. Then had to go back to the fine compound to smooth out the clear coat.

NOTE: I'm not sure this would work with a "single stage" paint. My van has a base/clear.

Lighter fluid (benzine) worked on my Mustang, practically washed the paint spatter off of the door and front fender. Easy Peasy.

Try it in a small spot, rub gently, and flush immediately. If it works on your paint as well as it did on mine, continue on to the entire area affected.

Goof off works, try it in a small spot first.

Clay bar! Seriously-magic!

spitfirebill wrote: I had a similar situation years ago and used enamel reducer to remove it. I was careful and it didn't hurt the paint.

I used this when my car got vandalized with spray paint back in the day. Took some time, but it worked perfectly.

+1 on the clay bar.

Plastic razor blades. I used them to remove dealer decals and a set of dealer pinstripes.

https://scraperite.com/

While they claim it won't scratch, I could see quite a few fine scratches on my black paint. I applied clay bar, followed with a mild compound, polish and wax, and the scratches are gone.

I have removed latex paint using brake cleaner. Similar situation bit it was over spray from someone painting next to my car. Took a coupe hours and you have to keep changing to new rags.