Re: [T3] How do I remove rubed on paint.

[Steven Ayres <comwest@att.net>]

<x-flowed>MarkH=> It came from a barrier in a parking garage.  It's also a
=> big patch, about 1 X 1.5 feet.

Ah, that clarifies things a bit. Leave the rubbing compound in the can 
until you have the barrier paint cleaned off.

I'm inferring that the barrier paint is some sort of cheap 
hardware-store outdoor enamel -- water-based paint would probably come 
off pretty easy. If you have original or OEM-style single-stage paint on 
your car, you may find that a solvent will safely clean it (because you 
can take a layer off the top of the car paint without affecting its 
look), but I'd work up to lacquer thinner, it's very aggressive and will 
start eating good paint pretty quick. If you have a modern finish, be 
*very* cautious.

Start with something like ammonia-based window cleaner -- you may get a 
happy surprise there -- then mineral spirits, then maybe acetone, and 
always patch-test first in an inconspicuous place. (If you have easy 
access to that barrier, test on that as well to find the least nasty 
solvent that slowly dissolves the paint.) Give it rest between 
applications, you want the solvent to penetrate the barrier paint but 
not your car finish. If you get to denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner, 
work outside, out of the sun but with lots of flowing ventilation, that 
stuff is serious poison.

I'd expect to find a lot of it is embedded in scratches that will be 
revealed as you remove it. A hair-dryer on high or a heat gun used 
cautiously might be a useful alternative to solvent if you're very 
patient; rub in the direction the car was moving with soft shop-style 
paper towels. In either case work slowly on small patches to avoid 
making a big mess.

Once you get as much removed as you can, the rubbing compound may be 
useful in digging out the microscratches and leveling your finish.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
'66 KG1600

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