Expert: Cameron Orsich - 11/4/2006

Question
Hello. About a week a go i bought this spray called night shades. What it does is it sprays the headlights and tail lights black or basically smokes them out. Today i was doing my front head lights on my civic like the corners where the signals are and i made sure i taped up the corners and edges around the light. I know that i should have taken the lights out but its so hard and it like requires to remove the bumper. So i taped up the edges of the lights and me being an idiot and listening to my friend, put a newspaper around there incase the spray got on to the car. i did the lights fine but all the excess spray drops leaked through the papers and went on to my bumper. i tried removing it with paint thinner but it didn't do nothing. I'm really upset and my parents will flip out if they see this. Is there any possible way i can remove the paint spray or whatever it is? Please if u can help me out, that'd be amazing. The spray once again is called Night Shades. Thank you so much.

Arslan

Answer
The following information is what I usually send, but I would go to the nail polish remover...don't think so...try it...it can cut stuff lacquer thinner can't....good luck.

Try these common household items in an inconspicuous area first. If they are to solvent or not solvent enough, go to the professional items found in the lower list.

Gasoline-weak.
Lighter fluid-weak.
Lacquer Thinner-make sure its lacquer thinner, not enamel.
Westly's Bleach White-one of my favorites.
Nail Polish Remover--this one may surprise you.
Bug and Tar remover-medium.

Try the more volatile ones (like lacquer thinner) in an inside door jam first, to see if it cuts your paint...as if your original paint should be OK—especially if its a two part catalyzed system, but may cut non-original finishes.


Ok...so you tried the above, and no go.  Go to a real Auto Body store—the store where body shops buy from.

Tell the guy at the Auto Body store that you're looking for a couple of clean-up solvents--one volatile enough to cut primer over-spray, road grime, and tar; the other, just moderate--barely volatile, just enough to wipe down your freshly primed work area just prior to painting.

Try these, but be careful.  The strong type works twice as good as the best bug and tar remover, but won't cut your original paint.  I say be careful, because it can discolor things like flat black bumpers, trim, etc...

The moderate one is more like your bug and tar remover, but with a longer dry time.  Its really used to wipe down an entire car, including freshly sprayed primer, just prior to painting.  Its good for removing grime, and it may be enough to cut through your sap; if not, go to the stronger solvent.