How to Remove a Tag/Spray Paint

Some hater out there decided to Tag my car.

Luckily, it doesn't seem permanent and I was able to remove it with my fingernail, but it's taking a long time and I don't want to scratch the bumper.

Does anybody know of a product that can remove this without ruining the clear coat or scratching the bumper?

did you try alcohol?

I only tried water. I'm afraid alcohol will remove the clear coat.

Kerosene works, but only if the paint is still wet. Unfortunately, anything strong enough to remove paint isn't going to be friendly to your car's paint. You can try wet sanding, or have a detail/body shop wet sand it. If worse comes to worse, you can have the bumper cover painted for a few hundred bucks.

Try to clay it
I know it takes off overspray. Just might take longer to remove that crap

Same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I went to Home Depot and got some Goof Off. Put some on a piece of cloth and rub it in well, or let it soak for a minture on the spray paint then wipe off. If the paint is dried up it will take some elbow grease. After you're done, wash the car well.

Kief, What is Clay it? Excuse my ignorance.

I'd try the clay first. Chemicals might work, but I'd be extremely careful not to damage the underlying paint.

You'll risk some scratches, of couse, but you might try a kitchen sponge with a 3M scrubber side on it. I think that's about the same as using a fingernail.

Another option would be a regular sponge and some Comet or Ajax. Of course, you'll need to polish, buff, and restore afterwards.

You can buy a clay bar and you rub the clay over the surface of your car using soapy water as a lubricant.

You can get detailing clay at good auto supply places or over the 'net.

My car got tagged about 3 years ago. Lots of mineral spirits, gently blotted on and off, did no damage to the underlying paint and removed all of the vandalism.

Three caveats - I had waxed my car about 1 week prior, it was below freezing when the spray paint was used, and the spray paint had not fully cured when I found it.

Good luck,
George

I 3rd clay

Clay, then wax or polish. And, elbow grease.

- Mike

Originally Posted by textking

What is Clay it? Excuse my ignorance.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-clay-bar.html

The above is a good description of what auto detailing clay is and how to use it for the initiated. You can get detailing clay at most stores that have a wide variety of auto detailing products, or of course, the online retailer that hosts the above link. You're going to want to get to work on it ASAP as the longer you wait, the more the spray paint will cure and be harder to remove.

Originally Posted by textking

Some hater out there decided to Tag my car.

Luckily, it doesn't seem permanent and I was able to remove it with my fingernail, but it's taking a long time and I don't want to scratch the bumper.

Does anybody know of a product that can remove this without ruining the clear coat or scratching the bumper?

Ignore all these rubes! (j/k)


I had this happen a few months ago. Here's the fix - Motsenbocker's Lift Off #4 for spray paint, Graffiti Remover.

Picked it up for about $5 at Home Depot or Lowe's. It worked GREAT! It's water based and biodegradable.

http://www.liftoffinc.com/product-graffiti-remover.php

Originally Posted by textking

I only tried water. I'm afraid alcohol will remove the clear coat.

alcohol will not remove any clear coat, I've done it many times. Your clear coat is designed to withstand such chemical as alcohol, benzine (gasoline), kerosine. DO NOT use acetone as it will damage your paint.