Driving through freshly spilled paint
11-24-2013, 02:28 PM
#1
Driving through freshly spilled paint
The scenario yesterday afternoon:
Driving home in my 2012 cyber gray coupe about 40 mph in outside lane of a busy 4-lane urban road with traffic in front, behind, and on left. As soon as the car ahead clears it, I see a broad white glistening area across both lanes in my direction. Can’t avoid it so I’m driving through it about one second after I first see it. I hear a “slosh” sound as I go through it. Drive home, which is two blocks away, rather than immediately stop. Examine car in driveway.
I have white paint almost totally coating both driver’s-side wheel wells, all over the tires, coating underside of rocker panels. Major white paint splatter on fender behind front wheel, driver’s door, and quarter panel behind rear wheel. Minor paint splatter specs on wheels (gray painted) and passenger side.
Not being a paint chemistry expert, I immediately start clean up efforts proceeding from mild to severe cleaning strategies. The following were totally ineffective: Water wash with sponge and brush, attacking paint blobs with every soap/detergent/cleaner I could find, rubbing paint blobs with mineral spirits soaked rag (risky, I know). The following was effective: Carefully scraping each (of many thousands) of white paint blobs/spots/specs individually off the gray paint using a plastic or metal knife or even my fingernail.
It occurred to me to take a photo, but I decided to continue scraping paint rather than go get my camera, etc. After most of the initial clean-up effort was done (a few hours), I walked back to the paint spill area. It was obvious that a large (~5 gallon?) plastic container of what I guess to be undiluted white latex paint had fallen out of a painter’s truck. Much of the contents had spilled across the two lanes going in my direction. By now it was spread over a bigger area and was pretty well dry. Someone had at least turned the paint container upright so no more paint was spilling if there was any left, and they placed it off the road in the shoulder area.
I think I got most of the easily seen paint off of the side of my car. But every time I walk by my car, I see a few white specs that I overlooked, and I scrape them off. I can’t detect any paint damage associated with the scraping. FYI, I had applied Meguiars NXT a little less than a year ago, and car is always garaged. It appears to be impractical to get the paint off of the tires, especially down in the tread grooves. I hope it will eventually wear off…plus I’ll probably replace the OEM GY’s in another year or so. I gave up on trying to remove the white paint in the wheel wells and from the vehicle underside.
Does anyone (perhaps with paint expertise or a similar experience) have any suggestion regarding the best way to have dealt with this scenario? Please excuse the long post. Posts like this can sometimes be more of a therapeutic outlet than a conveyance of information.
Driving home in my 2012 cyber gray coupe about 40 mph in outside lane of a busy 4-lane urban road with traffic in front, behind, and on left. As soon as the car ahead clears it, I see a broad white glistening area across both lanes in my direction. Can’t avoid it so I’m driving through it about one second after I first see it. I hear a “slosh” sound as I go through it. Drive home, which is two blocks away, rather than immediately stop. Examine car in driveway.
I have white paint almost totally coating both driver’s-side wheel wells, all over the tires, coating underside of rocker panels. Major white paint splatter on fender behind front wheel, driver’s door, and quarter panel behind rear wheel. Minor paint splatter specs on wheels (gray painted) and passenger side.
Not being a paint chemistry expert, I immediately start clean up efforts proceeding from mild to severe cleaning strategies. The following were totally ineffective: Water wash with sponge and brush, attacking paint blobs with every soap/detergent/cleaner I could find, rubbing paint blobs with mineral spirits soaked rag (risky, I know). The following was effective: Carefully scraping each (of many thousands) of white paint blobs/spots/specs individually off the gray paint using a plastic or metal knife or even my fingernail.
It occurred to me to take a photo, but I decided to continue scraping paint rather than go get my camera, etc. After most of the initial clean-up effort was done (a few hours), I walked back to the paint spill area. It was obvious that a large (~5 gallon?) plastic container of what I guess to be undiluted white latex paint had fallen out of a painter’s truck. Much of the contents had spilled across the two lanes going in my direction. By now it was spread over a bigger area and was pretty well dry. Someone had at least turned the paint container upright so no more paint was spilling if there was any left, and they placed it off the road in the shoulder area.
I think I got most of the easily seen paint off of the side of my car. But every time I walk by my car, I see a few white specs that I overlooked, and I scrape them off. I can’t detect any paint damage associated with the scraping. FYI, I had applied Meguiars NXT a little less than a year ago, and car is always garaged. It appears to be impractical to get the paint off of the tires, especially down in the tread grooves. I hope it will eventually wear off…plus I’ll probably replace the OEM GY’s in another year or so. I gave up on trying to remove the white paint in the wheel wells and from the vehicle underside.
Does anyone (perhaps with paint expertise or a similar experience) have any suggestion regarding the best way to have dealt with this scenario? Please excuse the long post. Posts like this can sometimes be more of a therapeutic outlet than a conveyance of information.
11-24-2013, 02:37 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
That sucks.... was it a can of house latex paint or road paint?? I'm sorry I don't have any words of wisdom but you might want to post over on the car care section.... I'm sure someone will assist...
11-24-2013, 02:44 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I did it in my company car. White paint on a white car. It was a gallon can that someone dropped in the roadway. 
Like you I couldn't avoid it. Long story short the next day I took it to our Transportation Section at work and they got all of it off the paint with a power washer. Maybe it will work for you. Good luck.
I hit household paint.
Like you I couldn't avoid it. Long story short the next day I took it to our Transportation Section at work and they got all of it off the paint with a power washer. Maybe it will work for you. Good luck.I hit household paint.
11-24-2013, 02:54 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Isn't latex paint water soluble?? I think maybe it was oil based.. sucks either way..man I dread the thought of this in my red car!... hope you can get it all off.
11-24-2013, 04:07 PM
#7
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '13
Since the car was probably not crystal-clean, and maybe had some wax on it, a good powerwash might well do the job. You can keep the stream almost parallel to the body, so it's trying to lift the edge of the new paint.
Just don't try too hard, you don't want to start removing the "real" paint.
Good luck!
Just don't try too hard, you don't want to start removing the "real" paint.
Good luck!
11-24-2013, 04:26 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Did the same with my Enclave....took it to the quarter car wash and that got rid of most of it....had paint on the tire tread that didn't want to come off....so I found some krylon semi black and it hid the white paint pretty well....but time and bein **** got rid of all of it...
11-24-2013, 05:04 PM
#9
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
My family has operated a painting business for over 60 years now so maybe I should take a stab at this one. 1st of all it most likely was latex paint as most oil base products have been legislated into obscurity. Your best shot at removing it was when it was still wet or at least soft with a solution of Lestoil or even dishwashing detergent and a brush for the tires and a white terry cloth towel on the painted areas. Now that it is dry you really have your work cut out for you. Try a spray can of Dirtex cleaner on the painted areas. It has ammonia in it and will not hurt the finish. Let it soak and spray several times then try scrubbing with a damp clean white terry cloth towel. I would remove the wheels which should make work in the wheel wells easier and access to the tires easier as well. Another cleaner that might help is called Krud Kutter and is available at Lowes and possibly other hdwe type stores or paint stores. I would be a little leery of Goof off as it contains acetone and should be tried in a inconspicuous spot first. The wheel wells are a plastic type product so they should come off with a little elbow grease. If the paint in the threads bothers you and it does not come off with a scrub brush and above mentioned products you could always get a can of flat black spray paint made for rubber. Do not use a solvent based spray . The flat parts of the tire will wear off in a short time. Good luck.
11-24-2013, 05:36 PM
#11
Advanced
Same thing happen with my C4 I got my ins. involved they took care of it.Detail shop got every drop of paint off.of cause that was 10 years ago but it should still happen today.I have STATE FARM.deductable is all it cause .
11-24-2013, 07:46 PM
#12
OP Reply
Thanks for your replies and suggestions. Particular thanks to those of you who suggested a pressure washer or high-pressure self car wash; I didn't think of that (probably because I don't have a pressure washer and I don't think there are any self car washes around here any more). And special thanks to Flh Den for the very specific suggestions from someone who sounds like they have a good understanding of the subject.
11-24-2013, 11:10 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
I had paint splatter on my vette before and was able to remove it by using a clay bar. I lubricated the area with quick detailer spray then clay barred the area. Took a while but I was able to remove all of the paint. Just remember for this to work without damaging the paint, you need to keep the paint lubricated.
11-24-2013, 11:50 PM
#15
Safety Car
gasoline
The scenario yesterday afternoon:
Driving home in my 2012 cyber gray coupe about 40 mph in outside lane of a busy 4-lane urban road with traffic in front, behind, and on left. As soon as the car ahead clears it, I see a broad white glistening area across both lanes in my direction. Can’t avoid it so I’m driving through it about one second after I first see it. I hear a “slosh” sound as I go through it. Drive home, which is two blocks away, rather than immediately stop. Examine car in driveway.
I have white paint almost totally coating both driver’s-side wheel wells, all over the tires, coating underside of rocker panels. Major white paint splatter on fender behind front wheel, driver’s door, and quarter panel behind rear wheel. Minor paint splatter specs on wheels (gray painted) and passenger side.
Not being a paint chemistry expert, I immediately start clean up efforts proceeding from mild to severe cleaning strategies. The following were totally ineffective: Water wash with sponge and brush, attacking paint blobs with every soap/detergent/cleaner I could find, rubbing paint blobs with mineral spirits soaked rag (risky, I know). The following was effective: Carefully scraping each (of many thousands) of white paint blobs/spots/specs individually off the gray paint using a plastic or metal knife or even my fingernail.
It occurred to me to take a photo, but I decided to continue scraping paint rather than go get my camera, etc. After most of the initial clean-up effort was done (a few hours), I walked back to the paint spill area. It was obvious that a large (~5 gallon?) plastic container of what I guess to be undiluted white latex paint had fallen out of a painter’s truck. Much of the contents had spilled across the two lanes going in my direction. By now it was spread over a bigger area and was pretty well dry. Someone had at least turned the paint container upright so no more paint was spilling if there was any left, and they placed it off the road in the shoulder area.
I think I got most of the easily seen paint off of the side of my car. But every time I walk by my car, I see a few white specs that I overlooked, and I scrape them off. I can’t detect any paint damage associated with the scraping. FYI, I had applied Meguiars NXT a little less than a year ago, and car is always garaged. It appears to be impractical to get the paint off of the tires, especially down in the tread grooves. I hope it will eventually wear off…plus I’ll probably replace the OEM GY’s in another year or so. I gave up on trying to remove the white paint in the wheel wells and from the vehicle underside.
Does anyone (perhaps with paint expertise or a similar experience) have any suggestion regarding the best way to have dealt with this scenario? Please excuse the long post. Posts like this can sometimes be more of a therapeutic outlet than a conveyance of information.
Driving home in my 2012 cyber gray coupe about 40 mph in outside lane of a busy 4-lane urban road with traffic in front, behind, and on left. As soon as the car ahead clears it, I see a broad white glistening area across both lanes in my direction. Can’t avoid it so I’m driving through it about one second after I first see it. I hear a “slosh” sound as I go through it. Drive home, which is two blocks away, rather than immediately stop. Examine car in driveway.
I have white paint almost totally coating both driver’s-side wheel wells, all over the tires, coating underside of rocker panels. Major white paint splatter on fender behind front wheel, driver’s door, and quarter panel behind rear wheel. Minor paint splatter specs on wheels (gray painted) and passenger side.
Not being a paint chemistry expert, I immediately start clean up efforts proceeding from mild to severe cleaning strategies. The following were totally ineffective: Water wash with sponge and brush, attacking paint blobs with every soap/detergent/cleaner I could find, rubbing paint blobs with mineral spirits soaked rag (risky, I know). The following was effective: Carefully scraping each (of many thousands) of white paint blobs/spots/specs individually off the gray paint using a plastic or metal knife or even my fingernail.
It occurred to me to take a photo, but I decided to continue scraping paint rather than go get my camera, etc. After most of the initial clean-up effort was done (a few hours), I walked back to the paint spill area. It was obvious that a large (~5 gallon?) plastic container of what I guess to be undiluted white latex paint had fallen out of a painter’s truck. Much of the contents had spilled across the two lanes going in my direction. By now it was spread over a bigger area and was pretty well dry. Someone had at least turned the paint container upright so no more paint was spilling if there was any left, and they placed it off the road in the shoulder area.
I think I got most of the easily seen paint off of the side of my car. But every time I walk by my car, I see a few white specs that I overlooked, and I scrape them off. I can’t detect any paint damage associated with the scraping. FYI, I had applied Meguiars NXT a little less than a year ago, and car is always garaged. It appears to be impractical to get the paint off of the tires, especially down in the tread grooves. I hope it will eventually wear off…plus I’ll probably replace the OEM GY’s in another year or so. I gave up on trying to remove the white paint in the wheel wells and from the vehicle underside.
Does anyone (perhaps with paint expertise or a similar experience) have any suggestion regarding the best way to have dealt with this scenario? Please excuse the long post. Posts like this can sometimes be more of a therapeutic outlet than a conveyance of information.
11-25-2013, 12:14 AM
#16
A clay bar will remove all kinds of crap from tar to overspray, and I know from personal experience, road line paint.
lisa
11-25-2013, 01:18 AM
#17
Team Owner
Ah that sucks. I've been there. Power wash would be my suggestion then rubbing alcohol or wd40.