Question about Graffiti removal.

I am doing a van next week for a neighbor that was sprayed with graffiti on one side. It is regular spray paint. White newer chevy work van. I think it is an Express 2500.

My question... is there a better way to go at it other than a rotary with a wool pad and compund? Can I use a paint thinner that wont hurt the paint on the truck. IE a laquer thinner? I know most auto paint isnt laquer based and I have seen ppl use laquer thinner to remove sticker residue. Any help would be great thanks. Oh and the graffiti is about a 5foot by 3foot area. so alot to remove.

 

Get yourself a very aggressive clay bar, something for over-spray removal. 3m has one so dues Megs. Use this and just go at it to get as much as you can get off. You can then do one of two things depending on how much came off. You can try using something like Xylene or lacquer thinner in a small area to see how well it works or maybe go over with with wool pad.

You want to remove it via clay and chemical rather than buffing it off as it may be faster.

 

agreed there. Buffing will be a option in the end to clean it up but i would do what agpatel suggested and try to get it off. YOu may also want to try something like goof off as well.

 

What Ankeet said about removing the paint with some sort of solvent. 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover is some pretty wonderful stuff - it should be in any serious detailer's arsenal.

 

Pretty much the same stuff. haha, sorry the nerd in me just remembers chemical names. :graduation:

Stuff is great and can be used from glue removal, tar removal, soften up some paints, sticky junk that you dont know what it is.

If the clay does not do much maybe take a towel get some 3m stuff on it and soften it up a bit then go over it with clay bar.

 

thanks guys. I will let you know how it comes out. Ill take some pics too.

 

saw a pro use citrus degreaser and took care of just this problem. least aggressive first.

 

gonna tackle it today I will let you guys know how it comes out.

 

Good luck with it, take pics interested to see how it comes out!

 

ok i got the van finished. Good thing the clear on this van was hard as nails. I was able to keep the rotary on one spot long enough to get through the paint without burning the clear.

On to some pics.

I used goof off to loosen the spray paint

I wiped it on the sprayed area and let it soak until i buffed it. Dont know if it helped but i did it.

I went at it with a rotary and a wool pad with 3m perfect it II rubbing compound. Followed by a PC with a green Sonus Pad and SMR. Come out nice. A few swirls left but once my M205 gets here with my new pads I will take car of it.















Overall it only took about 2 hours to complete.

 

Oh and I forgot to mention, this graffiti has been on the van for about two years. haha

 

Nice work, nice work...glad it came off without much trouble!

 

thanks man.

 

cool beans!

 

Sprayway makes grafitti remover. Works in one swipe.



John

 

i use a steamer an gets it right off with no problems or damage if you got one use it or try aggressive clay.