Removing overspray from plastic - is that even possible?

". ." (xllx) 03/20/2016 at 22:08 • Filed to: shoebox, blue torpedo

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While doing paint touchups on my 126p the bodyshop went a bit spray happy and got paint on the plastic ‘can’ that houses the carbon filter that catches petrol fumes from the tank. You can see that part on the left part of the photo. That little bit of blue paint has been annoying me for almost a year now and I feel it’s time to do something about it. Any ideas on how to go about fixing that? It’d be a shame if I had to replace the whole can because they seem to be a bit scarce, at least ones in good nick. I’ve no idea what kind of plastic it is and I have to admit I know next to nothing about plastics in the first place.

Sneaky Pete > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:11

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I imagine a clay bar would take it off.

Nauraushaun > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:11

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You could maybe sand it off. If you go down to fine enough sandpaper you should be able to get the surface looking pretty good afterwards.

So long as it’s the same color underneath.

I’ve never done anything like this. Spitballin’

Wohnson89 > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:15

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If it’s plastic, get a little can of lacquer thinner and it will wipe right off. It shouldn’t damage the plastic at all, but test an inconspicuous spot first to make sure.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:19

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I’ll second the thinner. But if youre worried about the chemicals damaging the plastic, the plastic scouring side of a dishwashing sponge should do the trick.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:22

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Paint the whole can?

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:30

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Bodyguy specializing in the weird here, laquer thinner or gunwash solvent should get it off, but test on inconspicuous area first. ABS doesn’t always take kindly to very harsh solvent. Is it a new or vintage piece? paint doesn’t really stick to plastic, especially shiny plastic, so it might come off with some vigourous washing. If old, crazing and “patina” can give paint some tooth to hang on to, but oxidation is on your side here. I you can get it to my driveway for sunday carfix session, and bring a bag of chips I’ll do er Right up!

. . > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 03/20/2016 at 22:44

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I had a look on the internet and one of those cans I found for sale has a PA6 marking on it. No idea if that one is original though so I’ll have a look on mine as well. The piece isn’t really vintage (car’s from 1999), but it’s been exposed to some harsh conditions. The plastic on that part is smooth but not glossy. Here’s a closer view of the part (although you can’t really see the overspray in that photo):

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:54

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If you’re comfortable with it, taking a razor blade backwards not blade first can “Shave” it off but will still mark the plastic slightly but then you can “brush” the plastic with a scotch brite to get an even sheen to the plastic. Come to think of it, if it’s not too painty some compound or polish should also take it off, then just blend in the clean spot.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > . . 03/20/2016 at 22:56

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Just guessing, but this unfamiliar car is probably a long long way from my driveway.

. . > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 03/20/2016 at 23:01

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Quite. :D

Hello from Poland.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > . . 03/20/2016 at 23:06

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Cool! a polski fiat? I love tiny cars. probably makes my honda fit look like a bus!

this is not a honda fit, more like a bus

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > . . 03/20/2016 at 23:13

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it could come for a ride in my car/office

. . > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 03/20/2016 at 23:20

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I’m already conspiring with RallyDarkstrike to bring it to Canada as hand luggage on a plane. Maybe we should just do a tour, I’m sure he’d be up for it. We could pop over with some of those crisps. :D

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > . . 03/20/2016 at 23:23

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Start with soft solvents and move toward harsher ones. I would give 91% isopropyl alcohol a shot at it. If that doesn’t work, move to Naptha mineral spirits. If that doesn’t, then the lacquer thinner, etc.

. . > Sneaky Pete 03/20/2016 at 23:24

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I might actually try that. Sounds like it’s about the most delicate thing that has the potential of working.

Spasoje > . . 03/21/2016 at 00:38

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Not sure how much practical help this will be, given you’re in Europe... Nevertheless, it can be removed from plastic safely using this stuff:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.goof…

. . > Spasoje 03/21/2016 at 06:53

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Looks like I could order it from Amazon UK. Woudl you say it’s worth about 35 bucks delivered?

That's gonna leave a mark! > Spasoje 03/21/2016 at 07:25

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I love Goo Gone but it is strong stuff. Be very careful as it might do something to the plastic. I used it to get paint off or PVC house siding. It worked but the areas where I did it looked super clean (almost new) where the rest of the siding was dull and a different color (lighter). I your case you may be able to do the whole can.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > . . 03/21/2016 at 17:45

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THIS SHOULD BE A THING. Once I import mine, I say pack yours away in your hand luggage, than tour of North American East Cost....and if something goes wrong, we just pick yours and mine up and start hitchhiking! :P

I was going to say, I know you want it looking original, but as it’s plastic, you could always try plasti-dipping the exterior of the can...? Would come off easily, but it would cover up the overspray and still look uniform....would be cheap to try too?

Not sure how well Plastidip takes to higher temps though...

. . > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/21/2016 at 17:46

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Or we throw them into neutral and ride them like skateboards!

. . > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/21/2016 at 17:53

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I had a go at it with some petroleum ether and a copper sponge, but it didn’t go too well. I managed to getbits of the blue paint off, but the final result is a a weird ‘cracked’ blue pattern and it doesn’t seem to budge anymore. I’ll try some bigger guns soon.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > . . 03/21/2016 at 17:54

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Hope you manage to clean it off! :)

. . > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 03/21/2016 at 17:56

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It’s not a big deal if I can’t, but I’d kinda like to have the engine bay looking as nice as possible. At least I got the brown stuff off from the side.

Spasoje > That's gonna leave a mark! 03/21/2016 at 20:40

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Goo Gone might be stronger than the Goof Off in the link, though... I used the latter to get some adhesive off a soft vinyl dashboard – there’s no trace of anything having been there now!

Also, ironic username :)

Spasoje > . . 03/21/2016 at 20:42

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If there’s nothing else, it just might be...

I used Goof Off to get some adhesive off a vinyl dashboard – there’s no trace of either!