Removing paint scuffs from car

[movingex]

Just brushed a curb side painted with red paint, which is now scuffed onto my front spoiler/bumper thing.

Anybody have any ways of removing the paint without removing the factory paint.

HELP.

90% of all of my auto accidents involve me hitting something in a parking lot.

[Spec A!]

Clay Bar- works wonders on removing EVERYTHING from your paint, including particles you can't even see (but feel). You'll want to do the whole car. :)

[kenw]

Years ago we were forced to drive over freshly painted highway strips. The white paint splatter was all over the kick panels of the car....so i've been there.

1st try mineral spirits. It won't affect your paint, but it may take some work to get it to work on the curb paint. That stuff is tough! Hold a rag saturated in it on the scuff to let it work in, then rub it to remove it.

Other safe things to try would be isopropyl alcohol (very weak solvent and I doubt it will work) and Bug n Tar remover. If you are brave enough, gasoline may work.

Lacquer thinner will remove the curb paint, the clearcoat and the paint on the car. Don't use that unless you are incredibly talented or incredibly brave. Same for nail polish remover: don't.

in desperation, polish it with 0000 ("4-ought") steel wool. Trust me, it seems scary but this is what is used to polish paint between coats. It only removes very fine amounts and actually polishes the surface. If the curb paint is thick, this can be a good way to remove some of it before you get down to the car's paint/clearcoat.

It will take a lot of time, experimentation and patience.

[toverman]

You might also try some of the Meguiar's auto products, including some of the paint cleaners and finish preps. They are available at many big-box retailers, but the good stuff you might have to go to an auto parts store. Meguiar's is good stuff!

Anthony is right about clay bar, but it can be hard to use correctly. Google it and you'll get all kinds of tips and information.

[Digigeek]

I've had good luck with a simple cleaner/wax. If the bumper material is actually scuffed, you may be out of luck. If you merely picked up paint from the other object, you should be good to go.

[alamoshutterbug]

+1 for the clay bar. I know it will take off paint overspray spatter.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by movingex

90% of all of my auto accidents involve me hitting something in a parking lot.

On second thought, why fix it? Let your car wear the scuffs, scratches and dents like a badge of honor!

If it's bad enough and can't be fixed through other means, is it something you could just paint black?

[S-Man]

^ Todd, that's like saying "Why not leave that spinach in your teeth as proof you eat healthy!?" or "Leave that spaghetti sauce on your chin and wear it like a badge of a fine meal eaten!"
Scratches and dings might add character to a camera body, or even a 4WD Jeep, but most of us want clean, unscathed automobiles.

Anyway, minor scuffs like that should be able to be removed with compounds you can find at Autozone and stuff, given it's just paint transfer from the curb and not removed from your car. I think Meguiars (sp?) makes a 3 or 4-step compound system that is progressively finer in cut.
For the deep-cut stuff, you may need to visit your local auto paint suppy shop, and it won't be cheap. They have industrial strength compounds that have a stronger abrasive makeup.
For sure though, the guys at the counter at the auto-parts store would be able to tell you what you need.

[toverman]

Sam, I have kids. My cars don't remain unscathed inside or out for very long. It will be worse when the l'il nippers can actually drive!

Scratches on a car=road cred.
Scratches on a Jeep=beach cred.

[S-Man]

Heh, that's what happens, I guess...I was just being facetious with you. I wasn't jumping on your case- for the record.

[movingex]

Originally Posted by toverman

On second thought, why fix it? Let your car wear the scuffs, scratches and dents like a badge of honor!

If it's bad enough and can't be fixed through other means, is it something you could just paint black?

That's what I do for my truck. I just got the car so I want to try to keep it clean.

I bought some stuff at Walmart at lunch and the paint came right off. Cost about $15.00. I can't remember the name though.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by S-Man

Heh, that's what happens, I guess...I was just being facetious with you. I wasn't jumping on your case- for the record.

I actually do keep my cars pretty nice ... kind of have to because we seem to keep them forever. Mine started out gently used before I bought it.

[janetg]

funny this came up...i got a new car july 28th... 2nd day, scratch on the door, 3rd day...PAINT all over the left rear panel - husband freaked out accordingly - thought it hit something. the only thing i can think of is going to lunch where some guy was like a painter, and had wet paint on his pants and brushed up against the car. it came right off though, i suppose it all depends on what kind of paint it is.

anyway - it's the just my luck week here, so i thought i would chime in