Paint splashes on your vehicle can be annoying, especially if they're is evident. Whether you got a bit of paint on your car while repainting your home or parked too close to a construction site, we have gathered information from experts on possible ways to remove house paint from your vehicle.
The materials needed to remove house paint from your vehicle are relatively common, and you may even have some lying around your house. Here are the materials you'll need.
- Warm Water
- WD-40
- Sponge
- Microfiber Towel
- Clay Bar
- Car Wax
- Touch-up Paint
- Rubbing Compound
You don't need to use all these materials at once. Read on for information on removing house paint from your vehicle, protecting your vehicle from dirt, and more.
Materials For Removing House Paint From Your Car
You may already have on hand the materials needed to clean house paint from your vehicle. If you don't, you can easily find them at your nearest auto parts store.
Remember never to use any paint thinner when removing house paint from your vehicle since this will also damage your car's paint. Below are the most common materials to help remove house pain from your vehicle.
Warm Water
Warm or room temperature water is the best for cleaning your vehicle's surface. Not only will you use this to clean but also to rinse any cleaning solutions on your car. Mixing soap is also a good idea and can help remove house paint from your vehicle.
WD-40
WD-40 can help in removing unwanted paint. WD-40 has mineral spirits in it to help soften the house paint. After applying WD-40, the paint should soften but not to the point where it will damage your vehicle's paint.
Sponge
A sponge is a great way to help remove the house paint from your vehicle. After applying your desired cleaning solution, rub the sponge on the parts where there is unwanted paint.
When using the sponge, ensure you don't use the rough side since this can lead to scratches. Also, be gentle when using the sponge.
Microfiber Towel
A microfiber towel is one of the essential tools needed to help clean off unwanted paint from your car. You can use the towel for spreading the cleaning solution or wiping it off.
Like everything you use to wipe your vehicle, ensure you don't put too much pressure since this may lead to minor scratches on your car's paint job. Microfiber towels are a common item in auto supply stores, so it is easy to find them if you don't have any.
Clay Bar
Before using a clay bar, ensure that the vehicle's surface is clean and free of debris or dirt. Leaving debris or dirt on the surface could lead to scratches when using a clay bar.
With clay bars, you can commonly find them in a package that comes with a microfiber towel and some detailing spray. When using the clay bar, be sure not to rub super hard.
Car Wax
Car wax is excellent to apply after you have removed house paint from your vehicle since there is a chance that the protective wax layer may have come off with the house paint. After applying the wax, wait a couple of minutes before wiping it off.
Touch-up Paint
Touch-up paint can come in handy if a bit of your car's paint has come off when cleaning house paint off from your vehicle. You won't need touch-up paint all the time, but it is a good idea to keep it around just in case.
You can look at your car's door jamb to find what touch-up paint color you need. You should see a sticker on there indicating the color of your vehicle. If it is not on your door jamb, it could be on your door.
Rubbing Compound
If you have a minor paint splatter, you can use a rubbing compound to help remove the house paint from your vehicle. You can use a combination of rubbing compound and a microfiber towel when removing the house paint.
A good thing to note is you should no apply too much pressure when rubbing off the house paint since this can cause some scratches and may even remove your car's paint.
Ways To Remove House Paint From Your Car
You can try different methods, and the results may vary depending on what type of paint got is on your vehicle and how long it's been there. Below are some common methods of cleaning house paint from your car.
WD-40
- First, only apply the WD-40 to the parts of your car with house paint on them.
- Soak the sponge in warm water and start scrubbing the house paint (don't use too much force when rubbing).
- After removing the house paint, wipe it down with your microfiber cloth.
- Apply water and soap mixture to the spot where you applied WD-40, then wipe it down with the microfiber towel. You can add more WD-40
Some extra steps you can do are using a clay bar and some detailer. Also, you can add additional protection by applying wax to the area since your car's old wax layer was likely removed during the cleaning process.
Clay Bar
- Clean the vehicle's surface; any grit on the car may lead to scratches when rubbing the paint off.
- Apply your detailing spray of choice, and make sure the area is well lubricated.
- Take your clay bar and rub the parts with house paint back and forth (ensure you don't apply too much pressure).
- Once you see that the house paint is gone, you can wipe it off with a microfiber towel.
If you see a spot on your vehicle that still has some house paint, repeat the process of spraying your cleaning solution and rubbing the clay bar on it until it is no longer there.
How To Protect Your Vehicle From Dirt
Keeping your vehicle clean is essential if you want it to last a long time. Dirt or other debris can negatively affect your car in the long run.
There are many ways to keep your vehicle safe from dirt and debris. Below you will find the most common ways to keep your car clean and safe.
Garage
Keeping your vehicle in your garage is a great way to protect it from any possible dirt. While it's inside, your car will be shielded from the elements, animals, and other people. A garage should have decent insulation that will help protect a car, even in cold conditions.
Keep in mind that a garage cannot completely protect your car from dirt, since storing your vehicle there for a long time may lead to dust build-up.
Car Cover
If you don't have a garage, the next best thing you can do is to get a car cover. A car cover will help protect the vehicle from any possible dirt or debris.
Getting a car cover is a very effective and cheap way of protecting your car, but this is not a great long-term solution, especially if you live in a place with changing weather.
Regular Cleaning
Even though your vehicle is in a garage or has a car cover, you should regularly clean it. No matter how clean the area is where you parked it, your car will still accumulate dirt from driving.
Dirt can cause parts of your car's paint to fade or even chip away. It may also cause other parts of your vehicle to decay or rust if left unattended for long periods.
Set a regular schedule for cleaning it and even have it professionally detailed once in a while.
Final Thoughts
House paint can be annoying to remove from your car, especially if you don't know what materials to use. It's a good thing that you may find most of the needed cleaning materials already in your home. Auto supply shops will also have them.
Just remember, do not use paint thinner to try and remove house paint from your vehicle. This will damage the coating and paint of your car.
If you are planning to paint your home and you cant park your vehicle anywhere else, it's best to protect it with a car cover to avoid getting any paint on your vehicle.
For more automotive topics and tips, check out the following posts.
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