Expert: William Forster - 11/21/2006

Question
Hi William,

Thanks for the quick response! You suggested paint thinner to remove the overspray. How should I apply it? By the way, I oversprayed clearcoat, not paint. Do clearcoat have the same chemical  composition as paint? Can I removed the oversprayed clearcoat with paint thinners?

Thanks again,

Mohammed   
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi William,

I have a black 1994 toyota camry (coupe). The clearcoat on the top of the front fenders (by the sides of the hood) was peeling off; so I decided to wet-sand (1500 grit paper) the damaged clearcoat and then spray some fresh one. I was careless and didn't cover the undamaged part of the hood and there was a lot of overspray that now makes the (previously) nice shiny finish on the sides of the hood all fogged up and dull. I tried wetsanding to smooth out the overspray and also use some rubbing compound but the dullness is still there (even after polishing with the best quality turtle wax).

Can you please please advise me on what I'm doing wrong here? If you have any specific products and/or procedures in mind that I can use to remedy this situation please do let me know! Also there was some over spray on the windshield and the corners of the front windows that I'm finding hard to remove (they look like permanent frosting on the glass).

If there's anything else you need to know don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks much!

Mohammed
-----Answer-----
Tape off the tops of the fenders to protect them, and see if some paint thinner will remove the overspray. A safety razor blade does a nice job removing paint from glass. Even if the paint comes offthe hood, it will need power buffed. I suggest 3M medium duty compound, followed by finesse-it-2 swirl remover, followed by wax. If it won't come off the hood, you may well wind up refinishing the hood. Getting off the overspray may damage the old paint, and cured paint can be incredibly difficult to buff sand scratches out of, even as fine as 2000 grit is difficult. Good luck and next time, spend the time to properly tarp the entire car. Bill

Answer
Hell again Mohammed! Use paper towels or clean rags. Wear a pair of gloves, like dish washing gloves. Clear coat has the same properties as single stage paint. The fresh paint may be able to be softened up wiht thinner, but the cured factory paint will not soften up, unless it's about to start peeling like the fenders did. In that case, you are not out anything, the hood will have needed painted within a year anyhow. Bill