# Tips to remove spray paint from a car

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 2, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626 "2004-12-02T02:53:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/1 "2004-12-02T02:53:23Z")

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My friend had a splotch of spray paint sprayed on his car. He’s not sure if it was an accident or the beginning of something nefarious. What is the best way to remove it without damaging the car paint?

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**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/2 "2004-12-02T03:16:27Z")

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Could try buffing it out as long as the topcoat of the original paint is intact. A friend with an orbital polisher might be able to do it if it isn’t large and in a highly noticable area.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/3 "2004-12-02T04:05:04Z")

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Photoshop worked well on my fathers car.

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**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/4 "2004-12-02T05:25:58Z")

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Believe it or not, acetone or mineral spirits might be options. Test under the hood or inside a door on a small area to see if your paint stands up to it.

I’ve done it before. Usually, the auto paint is so well bonded that it will easily stand up to either, while the cheapo spray paint won’t.

On the patch test, just look to see if paint comes off. If the rag is clear of paint, the try a very small area that was spray painted.

Coat the area with a good wax when done, 'cause the paint will be naked for sure after you strip it clean with acetone or mineral spirits.

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**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/5 "2004-12-03T16:29:35Z")

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Thanks guys.

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**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2004, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-to-remove-spray-paint-from-a-car/277626/6 "2004-12-03T19:17:39Z")

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Don’t know if it’ll work for spray paint, but I once removed logos and lettering with Easy Off Oven cleaner. Worked like a charm and left the original paint intact.