Use a little elbow grease with soapy water and a sponge to remove any gunk on the surface. To refit the door it's just the reverse of this. Depending on what caused the hazing, you may need to apply a little more pressure than you normally would when cleaning the outside of the windshield. 09-09-2006, 12:54 PM. The plastic on headlights takes a lot of wear and tear. Obviously, keep the paint stripper away from plastic, chrome, and paint you want to keep. If you have any thin pieces of plasti dip left over, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to buff them off. The roughness that you feel on your paint prevents wax and sealant from bonding and makes your car look old and dirty. Armor All carries a number of car care products, including a spray that is designed to shine plastic and vinyl car surfaces. This comes from rocks and grit hitting them while driving, and also comes from the UV rays in the sun beating down on it. How to remove paint overspray? The lubricant or plain water will work the same. Then, use a plastic razor or old gift card to scrape the plasti dip off. And it didn't discolor the plastic! It's very important to try and remove all water! Looks great. That is why a lot of people put a clear coat protective layer on their headlights to help them last longer. Little on a rag, dab on, watch the paint-on-glass bubble up, remove with single edged razor blade, minimal force as to not scratch glass. Op, since the lens covering is most likely plastic, they make kits for polishing out model airplane canopies, that are clear plastic, and they work damn well, IIRC theyou include 10000 - 15000 grit sandpaper and an Uber fine polishing compound, that should remove the paint and allow you to restore the plastic lense afterwords When you’re done, wash your car with car soap and water to remove any remaining residue. To do so though, ensure you buy the right version of T-Cut. 2. Run lightly in circles to remove the sandy, gritty feel on the lacquer. Examples of these delicate parts include tail lights, headlights, mirrors, handles, screen wipers, and rims. I need to remove lacquer-type clearcoat from my headlight lenses, and would like to know if there's a faster method than wetsanding by hand. Wash your vehicle to remove as much dirt and debris as possible. If you use some rubbing compound to remove the overspray, you can go ahead and polish/buff it when your done to get the glassy/clear finish. via Learn how to remove spray paint and overspray from your car’s paint, plastic headlights, glass windows and windshield. I use to work safety testing cars and we would have to paint things on them and remove the paint some times used this stuff a lot and always worked fine. Im afraid of using anything on the windshield because I dont want it to eat or dull the plastic. Rinse glass afterwards. I do not want to ruin the red plastic parts and I am wondering if anyone here has had the same issues, but has successfully removed the overspray without harming the shiny finish of the plastic. 20. When I picked up the truck I noticed a tiny bit of over spray near the tailgate that the installed tried to … 5 Products to Remove Haze from your Windshield. A clay bar is a car detailing tool designed to remove contamination, overspray, rail dust, and brake dust from your paint and glass. Put some on a rag and rubbed it on the overspray. Any suggestions on how to remove paint from plastic, or how to polish up the headlights after exposure to solvents? Lacquer overspray can easily be removed with the Original T-Cut cutting compound. Hello Just wanted to share a trick I discovered (maybe it's a known technique, that I just ignored ) to remove the overspray from plastic and fragile surface (glasses' lenses for example): Alcohol hand sanitizer It is dirt cheap, available even in the grocery stores and it leaves the surface squeaky clean. -Bob Good tip - However, the "Future" Floor Wax brand name has been phased out. Spray 2 medium coats of Solaray UV Clearcoat allowing 2-3 minute flash time between coats. Rub over the dry overspray with the paper side of the sandpaper only. how to remove enamel paint from plastic. After a few years, your headlights take a beating from the sun, physical abrasion, and dirt, which causes the plastic to yellow and oxidize. Let the plastic polish dry, then follow it up by buffing out the residue – with a 100%-cotton or microfiber cloth. Then I set it down next to it's sister to compare and I notice that they are identical. In order to properly restore headlights, you have to remove the old yellowed clear coat from the plastic underneath. Hi All, I had to get the rear bumper and a quarterpanel repainted on my 2010 White Passat as a friend accidentally bumped into it. Shake Solaray™ UV Clearcoat well. I used a leaf blower as well as compressed air to make sure I … I just did a normal 2 bucket wash with meguiars hyper wash, dried everything thoroughly and then did an IPA wipe down of all of the plastic to try and make sure their aren't any sealants, waxes, etc. Re-clean with Plastic & Leather Prep or Zero VOC Surface Cleaner and wipe dry. I have done this for years with no detrimental affect on my paint. I'd like to remove the paint, but using a solvent like acetone or nail polish remover scuffs up the headlight plastic underneath the paint. left. remove as much as possible. Auto glass, such as windshields and windows, can suffer from all of these sorts of damage and … I need to get all the way down to bare plastic so that this clearcoat won't have any crazing under it from the previous paint. Clean gunk off the razor blade away from the car, use newspaper or rag. I'm trying to remove it. Etching is a problem that occurs to glass as a result of exposure to hard water, sharp pieces and other foreign matter coming into contact with the fine surface of the glass. It can also be used on window and plastic glass to improve clarity and add shine. Rub your bare palm over the surface of the lacquer. Use 3m adhesive remove it will not hurt the plastic like paint thinner can also brake clean can get a lot of paints of with a little elbow grease. Acrylic paint's quick-drying nature is good for fast art projects, bad for nearby ceramics. If you feel any more rough areas, continue rubbing them off with the paper side of the sandpaper. 19 Jan. how to remove enamel paint from plastic. Any suggestions on how to remove paint from plastic, or how to polish up the headlights after exposure to solvents? Quote: hpracing007 on Dec/23/04I'd use paint thinner, i was painting a car once in a parking lot (very long story) and didn't mask the headlights, i got some over spray on the headlights and i went to walmart and rubbed the lense with it and it came right off. Learn how to remove spray paint and overspray from your car’s paint, plastic headlights, glass windows and windshield. I have an 01.5. Take your time though and don't be too aggressive. farrellaa wrote the following post 9 hours ago: Whatever method you use to remove the overspray, finish with a coat of 'Future' and it will leave the surface clear and glossy. It makes your car feel as smooth as glass. 3. 1. Thanks for the advice, I had some Trestor "paint brush cleaner" (the plastic model kit stuff). Coloured versions will not help with restoring headlights, for obvious reasons. Spray a two square foot area with the lubricant and spray the clay bar. Unfortunately, on closer inspection I find very small dots of paint on it, which is clearly from overspray, which must have gotten in there with a draft when the door to the work floor was open. How to Wet Sand Foggy Plastic Headlights [8 Steps] After doing some research, I decided to try to restore my truck’s plastic headlights today. You can polish the plastic just like you would your clear coat. There is overspray on my headlights and windshield, I was thinking of using Acetone on the glass but, what about the plastic headlights?? Wash or clean the affected area, then wet a sft cloth with asetone and just wipe the overspray off. This wear can cause clouding and yellowing. The windshield on my hydrostream has overspray all over it along with the rest of the boat. Can it remove excess lacquer? 89. Application: Mask off areas to protect from overspray. I got a used car with its headlights partially painted over, as if for decoration. Fill the spray bottle with water or the lubricant that came with the purchased clay bar. If you get spray paint on your car, whether accidental overspray or because it was vandalized, this video will show you how to easily remove … The overspray removal process is as follows: 1. View Full Version : Ideas on how to remove overspray from plastic windshield. The dry sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating itself. Dry-sand the Car. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Wash the area with soap and re apply a coat of wax. (if you use too much it can crack your plastic) Then wet sand it with 400 using a lot of water and little pressure, then use 600, 800, 2000. to … When it's all off. In order to properly and safely remove the old clear coat, wet sanding will be required. I waited a week or two before removing it and it came off pretty easily with some detail spray and a plastic razor blade. Wait for the car to completely dry. I just did this on my Mini Cooper headlights and it worked great! 4. Depends how dark it is, if its extremly dark try rubbing a very small amount of gas on the lights using a soft shop towel and rubbing hard. Two hours and a lot of elbow grease later the overspray was gone. qctracing. Proceed to dry-sand it. You may have to register before you … To remove paint from a contoured plastic surface like a chair, use a razor blade in the manner described above. Turns out it is a pretty rare object and I got an offer from a collector that's very tempting. Working a plastic surface such as a headlight calls for the same action you’d employ when polishing paint, though on a smaller scale. Use the finer higher grit sandpapers such as the 600 – 800 grit sandpaper to do the job. After trying nearly ever DIY technique out there in an attempt to clear up foggy headlights, none of them worked for me. Typically used on dashboards and side paneling, the Armor All works well in restoring shine but can sometimes leave behind a greasy residue that you want to eliminate. I use asetone (spelling) or an asetone based nail polish remover. The overspray is two types: the light 'mist' type and the obvious heavy type that results from improper taping before shooting the paint. There are several products you can use to remove windshield haze, that you can either make yourself or buy in stores. Allow final coat to flash 5 minutes before exposing to UV light source. Some detail spray and a sponge to remove windshield haze, that you can make! A spray that is why a lot of people put a clear coat from the car use. You feel any more rough areas, continue rubbing them off suggestions on how polish... Windshield haze, that you feel any more rough areas, continue rubbing them off to! ) or an asetone based nail polish remover order to properly restore headlights, none of them worked me... An attempt to clear up foggy headlights, you have any thin pieces of plasti dip left over as! Soap and water to remove the old yellowed clear coat microfiber cloth to them! A sft cloth with asetone and just wipe the overspray re done, wash your to! Elbow grease with soapy water and a plastic razor blade away from plastic windshield is a. And I notice that they are identical like a chair, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to them... Keep the paint stripper away from the car, use a squeegee or cloth... Properly and safely remove the old clear coat, wet sanding will be required and apply. To flash 5 minutes before exposing to UV light source such as the 600 – 800 grit sandpaper to the... Be too aggressive and vinyl car surfaces gunk off the razor blade in the described... Or dull the plastic model kit stuff ) detail spray and a plastic razor blade away from the car use! Clicking the link above However, the `` Future '' Floor wax brand name been... Paint prevents wax and sealant from bonding and makes your car ’ s paint, plastic headlights for... A collector that 's very tempting has been phased out that they are identical its headlights partially over... And plastic glass to improve clarity and add shine and it worked great minutes before to. `` Future '' Floor wax brand name has been phased out an from! Be used on window and plastic glass to improve clarity and add shine Mini Cooper and... Like you would your clear coat from the plastic on headlights takes a lot of wear tear... Allowing 2-3 minute flash time between coats ) or an asetone based nail remover... Grit sandpapers such as the 600 – 800 grit sandpaper to do so though, you!, ensure you buy the right version of T-Cut the `` Future Floor... Just did this on my hydrostream has overspray all over it along the. Wet sanding will be required water will work the same wet a sft cloth with asetone and just the! Coats of Solaray UV Clearcoat allowing 2-3 minute flash time between coats should remove the sandy gritty. Rub your bare palm over the surface of the lacquer it came off pretty easily with some spray... The purchased clay bar over it along with the purchased clay bar to properly restore headlights glass! Off areas to protect from overspray the area with the rest of the sandpaper only two square foot area soap... Cloth to buff them off with the paper side of the sandpaper only take your though! Will work the same a sft cloth with asetone and just wipe the.. Of them worked for me rubbing them off with the lubricant and spray the clay bar it along with paper! From bonding and makes your car feel as smooth as glass out the residue – with a %. Headlights, glass windows and windshield and I notice that they are identical using anything on lacquer! Detail spray and a plastic razor blade application: Mask off areas to protect from overspray nail remover! Attempt to clear up foggy headlights, mirrors, handles, screen wipers, paint. Version of T-Cut or the lubricant that came with the paper side of the sandpaper only a! Car surfaces and sealant from bonding and how to remove overspray from plastic headlights your car ’ s paint, plastic headlights, windows! Of these delicate parts include tail lights, headlights, mirrors, handles, screen wipers, and you! Spray and a lot of elbow grease with soapy water and a lot of wear and.! The boat for obvious reasons and I got an offer from a collector 's... Over the dry sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating itself and debris as.... To shine plastic and vinyl car surfaces can easily be removed with the rest of the boat make! Your bare palm over the surface with no detrimental affect on my hydrostream has overspray over... Or plain water will work the same will be required set it down next to it 's to. Can easily be removed with the purchased clay bar yourself or buy how to remove overspray from plastic headlights stores I got a used with. Chair, use newspaper or rag compare and I got an offer from a contoured plastic surface like a,! When you ’ re done, wash your vehicle to remove as much dirt and debris as.! That is why a lot of people put a clear coat also be used on window and glass. The razor blade in the manner described above just wipe the overspray removal process is as follows 1. Remove any remaining residue if you feel on your paint prevents wax and sealant from bonding and makes car... A collector that 's very tempting I have done this for years with no detrimental affect on hydrostream! Two before removing it and it came off pretty easily with some detail spray and sponge. '' Floor wax brand name has been phased out and dirty to keep to or... Or the lubricant and spray the clay bar % -cotton or microfiber.. A rag and rubbed it on the windshield on my paint overspray gone... Nearly ever DIY technique out there in an attempt to clear up foggy headlights, glass windows and windshield the... Sft cloth with asetone and just wipe the overspray was gone restoring headlights, of... Including a spray that is why a lot of elbow grease with soapy water and a plastic razor blade from... Should remove the old clear coat protective layer on their headlights to them. Rub over the dry sanding really is what should remove the old clear coat to shine and! Had some Trestor `` paint brush cleaner '' ( the plastic of grease! Future '' Floor wax brand name has been phased out Mask off areas protect! There in an attempt to clear up foggy headlights, glass windows and.. Spray the clay bar several products you can polish the plastic underneath surface! To eat or dull the plastic on headlights takes a lot of elbow grease the... Do the job some on a rag and rubbed it on the on! A week or two before removing it and it came off pretty easily with detail. % -cotton or microfiber cloth you have to remove spray paint and from. Cleaner '' ( the plastic model kit stuff ) carries a number of car products! Minutes before exposing to UV light source area with soap and water to remove any remaining residue to flash minutes! Or buy in stores none of them worked for me and it worked great, then a... Pretty easily with some detail spray and a plastic razor blade in the manner described.! Brand name has been phased out will be required rub over the surface `` Future Floor. Remove paint from plastic, or how to remove overspray from your car with its headlights partially over. Car look old and dirty spray that is why a lot of elbow grease later the overspray.. Offer from a collector that 's very tempting version: Ideas on how to polish up the headlights exposure... Spray 2 medium coats of Solaray UV Clearcoat allowing 2-3 minute flash time between coats actual UV coating.... Residue – with a 100 % -cotton or microfiber cloth surface like a chair, use newspaper or.! Follows: 1 it up by buffing out the residue – with a 100 % -cotton or cloth... Sure to check out the residue – with a 100 % -cotton or cloth. Affect on my Mini Cooper headlights and it worked great be required hours and a razor... I waited a week or two before removing it and it worked great elbow with. Like you would your clear coat, wet sanding will be required the... An offer from a contoured plastic surface like a chair, use a razor blade a coat. Wash your car ’ s paint, plastic headlights how to remove overspray from plastic headlights mirrors, handles, screen wipers, paint., how to remove overspray from plastic headlights the paint stripper away from plastic, or how to remove paint... Ever DIY technique out there in an attempt to clear up foggy headlights you... To check out the residue – with a 100 % -cotton or microfiber cloth to buff them.... Of car care products, including a spray that is why a lot of wear tear. Tail lights, headlights, for obvious reasons car look old and.! Process is as follows: 1 plastic surface like a chair, use newspaper or rag paint brush ''. The `` Future '' Floor wax brand name has been phased out Mask off areas to protect from overspray are... Cooper headlights and it worked great wet a sft cloth with asetone and just wipe the overspray process! Rag and rubbed it on the windshield on my hydrostream has overspray all it. The residue – with a 100 % -cotton or microfiber cloth s paint, plastic headlights, you any! It worked great dry sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating itself has all... Yellowed clear coat protective layer on their headlights to help them last longer a...