Best way to remove spray paint off of trunk? :/

[MRLancaster]

So the legacy is almost back to stock. Well, exterior wise. And interior has been replaced. Trying to clean the car back to a nice clean way. Removing all the random mistakes, and parts I put on when I got the car, and wasnt thinking. Trying to make a factory slammed clean wagon. Now Im 75% done with removing the horrendus mods I had done to the car before.

Now for the hard part. Is there a way to remove spray paint without damaging the factory paint underneath? Its just one layer of spray paint. (Painted the trunk black) Now I want to have it back to normal. I have paint thiner. But didnt know if that would ruin the factory paint. Having a feeling it would.

Any suggestions? :) Thanks!

[httrdd]

Hard to say. The only way to really know if call a paint shop, tell them the type of paint you used to paint the trunk, and ask them what will take it off. I would say no since the paint had time to bond to the stock paint/clear.

[dodik]

the spray is it enamel or lacquer? did you clear coat it if yes than lacquer or enamel? did you sand the surface prior to painting it? how long ago? got a pic? is it peeling or showing signs of fading? we need more info man. you might get lucky and just take it of with mineral paint thinner if it already starts to peel maybe even claybar will remove it.

[MRLancaster]

the spray is it enamel or lacquer? did you clear coat it if yes than lacquer or enamel? did you sand the surface prior to painting it? how long ago? got a pic? is it peeling or showing signs of fading? we need more info man. you might get lucky and just take it of with mineral paint thinner if it already starts to peel maybe even claybar will remove it.

I forgot what kind, just the basic spray paint you get at lose. Wasnt anything special, it was about two 2 1/2 years ago, Its faded, and a few parts show the factory paint. I didnt prep it, just sprayed it on. It was right when i got the car, and wanted to do something when I had no money. Really regret it now, but hey, live and learn. I may try just a small corner and see what happens.

[MRLancaster]

Well its definitley coming off. :) And not messing up the trunk either. Its going to take a while though to get the whole trunk cleared. 0.0

[dodik]

i'd rather try claybar first if it fails then move onto the thinner, if you are determined to use thinner dont let it sit in one spot as it will eat thru or at least soften it to the point where it might fail in the future

[mycargoesvroom]

+1 for Claybar. I think the thinner would be too much for our already soft paint.

Maybe some rubbing alcohol?

[MRLancaster]

Welp here's how it turned out. https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/04/0405011435-1.jpg
Washed it really good hopefully all the thinner should be gone. :)

[dodik]

good job man now get some poorboys trim restorer for all those faded black moldings

[MRLancaster]

Thanks, yeah Im going to tackle that soon. :)

[rougeben83]

hit up the part you just took paint off with some polishing compound then wax the whole car just to even out the whole thing.

I guess its good you did poor job prepping the it for spray paint in the first place? :smt005

[httrdd]

That is what I was thinking. I had no idea it would come off easy.

[MRLancaster]

Yeah, When I first did it I thought it was "cool" But hey, everyone goes through that phase Im sure. But it does look a whole lot better, and yea I waxed the car afterwards. Kinda pointless since its been storming, but yeah. The doubt any damage was done. I washed as I took the paint off, then did a major was afterwards. :) Cant wait to do the trim!

[MRLancaster]

Been correcting all my mistakes I did the first few months I had the car two years later :roll: