Help-How do I get paint off my AS

[51coke]

While driving to camp last weekend there was a paint spill on the highway which I had no choice but to go thru. While I was setting up I saw white paint on the rock guard and window. I was able to scrape some off the larger spots off with my fingernail but finally had to quit.
I need advice on what to use to get the millions of small specs off.
I tried a aluminum/stainless stell cleaner from 3M but that didnt do anything.

[Piggy Bank]

Sorry to hear that.

Depends probably on what exact kind it is.

Suggest going from non-toxic to stronger until something works.

Try (it sounds crazy) olive oil and a soft cloth. Then maybe a small bit of baking soda to add some grit.

If that does nothing, then will likely need a solvent.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by 51coke

While driving to camp last weekend there was a paint spill on the highway which I had no choice but to go thru. While I was setting up I saw white paint on the rock guard and window. I was able to scrape some off the larger spots off with my fingernail but finally had to quit.
I need advice on what to use to get the millions of small specs off.
I tried a aluminum/stainless stell cleaner from 3M but that didnt do anything.

Knowing the kind of paint, would help, but in your case, guessing is all you can do.

First try water, in case it may be water soluble.

Next, try some alcohol.

Lastly, try some lacquer thinner.

The new type clearcoat is pretty tough, but it can be removed.

So start off with the gentle stuff first, then go to the stranger, in steps.

Andy

[J. Morgan]

If it is not an activated paint lacquer thinner might cut it.

Try it in an inconspicuous spot first, to make sure it wont affect your clear coat, but from what I have read on the forum, it is my understanding that the coating used on modern Airstreams is pretty much impervious to solvents.

If it works on the paint it will make the removal process much easier.


Brevi tempore!

[Silverbee]

I have successfully use Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover to clean bugs and road grim from the rock guards on my Flying Cloud. It did not harm the stainless steel rock guards. I have read some glowing reports of the same product removing paint (i.e. a car that a 4 year old sprayed with a can of paint). You spray it on and use a little elbow grease to remove the paint. I have not personally tried it to remove paint, but it might be worth a try. This product is safe on metal, paint, plastic and glass.
Tom

[thesignlady]

I use a graffiti removal spray at work to fix tagged signs and trailers. Just last week my bookkeeper came in and her entire door had been spray painted three days prior and we saturated it with the spray and left in on 60 seconds and most of it wiped right off and the rest came off with spraying it a second time and buffing it with a paper towel. Sorry I can't recall the brand but I do know there are many brands online

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 51coke

While driving to camp last weekend there was a paint spill on the highway which I had no choice but to go thru.

Paint dries when the solvent evaporates out and leaves behind the solids. The key to easy removal is to put the solvent back in.

There are many types of paint solvent, almost as many as there are types of paint. But for an unknown type of paint, it's hard to go wrong with old-fashioned mineral spirits. A trip to Lowe's to buy the same type of mineral spirit paint thinner that's used for cleaning paintbrushes seems to be in order.

Mineral spirits should not harm clear-coated aluminum as long as you don't use abrasives.

[NoNameinNM]

Over Labor Day weekend we passed a truck that was re-painting stripes on the highway. They were surrounded by a hazy little cloud of paint and we ended up with a fair amount of overspray.

I had a kit from Griot's Garage that included their Paint Cleaning Clay and Speed Shine, and it did a great job of removing the overspray on clearcoated and exposed metal surfaces.

[appliancetec]

Try WD-40 found it's great for removing tape residue, over spray & other things. Best part is it doesn't harm or soften clear coat. I would not leave the WD- 40 on surface for a long period of time though, remember to rewax where you clean up paint or other messes.

[m.hony]

Ronson lighter fluid or Goo Gone also work.

[m.hony]

Also, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser along with the Ronson lighter fluid or Goo Gone.

[51coke]

Thank you everyone who replied.
I made a baking soda paste and with alot of elbow grease it took the paint off, I didnt have to try anything else. So, thank you all for all the advice, I like knowing I can turn to this forum for helpful answers.