[mrvuml]

Don't how or where or when but I've got a lot of small white spots on the front of my car. Can't be sure but it looks like maybe its paint overspray. Don't how to determine if its Latex or Acrylic or whatever. Won't come off with soap and water and can't rub it off but can scrape them off with fingernail. There are hundreds of them though. Anyone have any suggestions about how I could get them off? Mineral Spirits, Acetone or Turpentine perhaps? But would using such a paint thinner damage the clearcoat?

[328i]

Have you tried using clay? If not try it and it should take care of the overspray.

[LOLrance]

+1 on clay. i had a friend who got his car back from the body shop and we noticed his interior trim had some paint overspray (im guessing windows were slightly down when they re painted). We clayed it and it all came off.

[JO3]

+100 on the clay

[mrvuml]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not familiar with clay. How would I use clay to remove (what appears to be) paint overspray?

I was in Home Depot this morning and they have some latex paint remover which says on the container can be used to remove paint overspray. Is there any danger to the car's paint or clear coat by using something like this or mineral spirits, etc?

[shocka1212]

im no professional detailer, so my advice would be to go to auto zone or any auto accessory store and just buy the meguiers clay bar kit. spray a good amount of quck detailer pray on the desired area on cleaning, and start claying.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by shocka1212

im no professional detailer, so my advice would be to go to auto zone or any auto accessory store and just buy the meguiers clay bar kit. spray a good amount of quck detailer pray on the desired area on cleaning, and start claying.

+1

[AJerman]

Yeah, clay usually can get stuff like that up. As said, you can get a kit at any auto parts store that has clay and a clay lube like a QD. Just spray the area liberally and lightly run the clay across. You don't want to scrub with the clay, just use enough pressure to hold it to the surface. If it feels like it's sticking or not gliding smoothly across the surface, make sure you have enough lube or else you can damage the finish. And of course, if you drop the piece of clay, throw it away and get a new piece. It's extremely simple as long as you are careful.

I've heard people using chemical paint removers, but I personally wouldn't try anything like that unless it was a last resort. If clay won't get it off, polishing should.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Clay + quick detail spray

[JO3]

Originally Posted by mrvuml

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not familiar with clay. How would I use clay to remove (what appears to be) paint overspray?

I was in Home Depot this morning and they have some latex paint remover which says on the container can be used to remove paint overspray. Is there any danger to the car's paint or clear coat by using something like this or mineral spirits, etc?

I would NOT use any harsh chemicals or paint removers from your car's surface.

Just use detailing clay. It's a safe and proven method to remove overspray and other paint contaminants.

[Malek@MRF]

Try a clay bar first, but please be informed that not all types of overspray can be removed with a clay bar. In such extreme cases, you must wetsand off the overspray.

[mrvuml]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll pick up a clay bar kit and try it.

Btw, what is the difference between Paint Thinner, Rubbing Alcohol, Mineral Spirits, Acetone and Turpentine?

[mrvuml]

Update: Thanks for the help everyone. I ended up using Goof Off as I already had a can in the garage. It took a couple of hours of rubbing and then I did a thorough wash/wax. I didn't take a chance using Goof Off on the overspray on the clear plastic headlight covers though. I used my thumbnail to remove each of the dozens of spots from there.