Hello everyone. So yesterday I noticed that my windshield wiper caps and license plate light trim had been poorly repainted with some black spray paint from the original owner. Does anybody have a recommendation of removing the spray paint without hurting the old paint under neath it. Its a thin layer, but if you know any cleaner or remover that can remove the ugly spray paint from the trims with out hurting the original paint underneath let me know. I do plan re finishing the trim pieces later in the future, but need a small solution for now. So far I got recommend to use Goo gone, but not sure. Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.

 

You can try lacquer thinner. It will remove low quality paint if you put in on a rag and rub. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to wash off the lacquer thinner. You are likely to be better off sanding the old paint off and then repainting with SEM Satin Black Trim paint.

 

What Otto said.

Remove the parts, sand and repaint.

 

Interesting inquiry!

Even though it appears somewhat thin it is still likely an oil based paint and it won’t budge with Goo Gone. Are you sure you just want to remove that layer and not redo it properly? There must be a reason that the PO sprayed it...

Anyway some “polishing” compound and a rag should buff it off with a little effort, might even give you a smooth and pleasing finish if you are careful not to take it all off. If you only have “rubbing” compound on your shelf that will do it much quicker but be careful that you don’t take it to bare metal in the process, it is much more aggressive.

 

I do plan on re powder coating these parts in the future rather than just respray, but I will keep respraying as a possibility. I just need some spray paint remover to remove that ugly layer of Rustoleum spray paint that he put. Thank you. What I see that laquer thinner is good without damage the old paint underneath. Thank you.

 

This may be of value to you:

https://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/04/...nt-from-a-car/

 

Thank you.

 

You could try this stuff. Safe on most surfaces. Just apply it thick, put a layer of plastic wrap over the parts and let sit overnight.

 

Would nail polish remover work?

 

Do you think they painted them because they were in great shape? Sand and repaint.

 

^^^This!^^^ +1! 🤣

There has to be something really bad (or uniquely bad) about the repaint. Can we see a picture?

To answer the question just click the link I posted a while back, lacquer thinner and nail polish remover are both on the list, as is rubbing compound. That link is all about removing paint that was added over good paint (specifically a spray paint vandalized car), which is essentially what you are trying to do. But in reality the paint has fully hardened and bonded and the liquids are likely going to make a mess that will eventually get the paint off but then whatever is left will need to be heavily polished, perhaps sanded before polishing.

ETA. Maybe just call 928 International and grab good used replacements. Super easy, maybe less expensive too.

 

Yes, I will see if I can post pictures in some good lighting. The selling dealership painted the piece right before I bought it. I saw the pieces before they were painted and they're were fine. Went to the link. I decided that I will just use the nail polish remover and carefully remove the orange peel quick job spray paint and bring back the original good paint underneath. Thank you all. Yes, I know all lot of you have been asking me to just repaint them. If this doesn't work good. I will repaint them properly. The reason I was thinking of this idea is because the car is really original and I want to keep as original as possible. Thank you all for the help. When I do the job I will give some updates and post pictures. Thank you all.

 

just a note about repainting black trim...I've used a few different spray can types of paints. SEM Trim Black (supposedly made just for trim) as well as a few different regular semi gloss and satin black spray paints. they just don't last very long. they start looking aged within a year or so. the next time I spray trim, I'm going to use a 2 part urethane.....it can be purchased in a spray can, which makes it fairly reasonably priced and easy. here's link to a can on eastwood's site

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-...SABEgJWbfD_BwE

I'm guessing that the 2k urethane would last at least 3 or 4 years before it started to show significant aging.....maybe.

 

Guys, for anyone in the market.
Check out the brand new Xpel Fusion product.
Same strength and benefits as Ultimate but you get a ceramic coating built into it.
I had my car fully done in late spring and after a dozen hand washes it is just as hydrophobic as day one.
And the best part, it only costs a little more than regular Xpel Ultimate...
No brainer.