Overspray clearcoat on windshield

[chang26k]

After my father's car came out of the bodyshop, there was clearcoat all over his windshield. We should of took it back asap but we didn't. Now it's 6 months later and the clearcoat is really annoying my mother.

I read the thread about using m04 with pad 7004 or something like that for removing stuff on the windshield but that did not work for the clearcoat. I just got a rotary buffer but haven't tried that on it yet. I also tried the claybar kit and that did not work. I heard about using #0000 steel wool or razor blade but I do not want to damage the windshield. So, I am now waiting for an answer.

I also tried turle rubbing compound and that did not work. What else is there for me to try? The razor blade was a suggestion by a NAPA clerk.

On other forms, they said to use KaBoom for toilet bowl cleaners.

[Tuck91]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

It sound like you have been trying a lot of methods to remove it.


What type of clay did you use?

You could maybe try the Aggressive ( red clay).

Meguiars has 3 types of clay bars: from least to most aggressive


Smooth Surface Clay Kit Claybar
Professional Line Mild Clay ( blue)
Proffessional Line Aggressive Clay ( Red)

hopefully others will chime in..............

[Carfire]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

I would try the Razor Blade or Try Using More Aggressive Clay.

[chang26k]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

What type of clay did you use?

Smooth Surface Clay Kit Claybar

I plan on getting the aggressive claybar, where can I buy that over the counter? I live in ATL, GA. Or is ordering the best way to get it.

Also, the clearcoat is sprayed very well and even all over the windshield and it did not miss any spot on the windshield. It is totally covered.

[Carfire]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

Sorry to Hear the Bad News.

Amazon
ADS

[Evan.J]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

I have a friend who works with PPG auto glass here in the pittsbugh area he said the best way to clean glass that has heavy bonded materials would be a pumice powder. Now I myself have never done this but he was a engineer with them and that's what he said they used. I will see what other info I can get but maybe you can see what you find out. If I can get anymore info I will post that up as soon as I can.

[roushstage2]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

Lots of lubrication and a razor scraper, may try something like Bar Keeper's Friend...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

First, just want to point out something we post all the time about claying a car recently painted.

Often times if you have your car painted, or just a portion of it, chances are good over the rest of the car you're going to have some overspray paint and the paint will need to be clayed to remove the overspray.

This thread is proof of this problem.

The overspray may not happen when your car is in the actual booth, it could happen before it goes into the booth or after it comes out of the paint booth.

Why?

Because body shops spray paint and it gets into the air. Paint is sprayed in the booth but also out of the booth and anytime overspray gets into the air it can drift until it lands on your car. Thus as hard as it can be to believe, a car leaving a body shop could actually need to be clayed and you can have overspray anywhere, in this example it's on the windshield, but it can be anywhere on the car that is exposed to the air. The way to check feel any surface you have concerns about and check for a textured feeling. Of course you can only clay smooth surfaces so if you have overspray on things like pebble textured black plastic trim you'll have to find another way of removing the overspray besides detailing clay.

Chances are very good if there's overspray on the windshield it's also on other panels like the roof etc, unless everything else was covered or taped-off except the windshield.


Now onto the problem,

First, you want to avoid using anything that will scratch the glass. I've seen, heard and read about people #000 Steel Wool on glass but I've also seen a lot of cars that have glass that is scoured and scratched and it looks like it was rubbed with something scratchy like steel wool.

Personally... I don't use steel wool on glass. Wouldn't do it to my cars, wouldn't do it to your car. If you do want to go down this road do a test spot first and inspect the glass you use steel wool on compared to adjacent glass under multiple types of light to do your best to make sure you're not scratching your glass.

The usually fix for this would be an aggressive clay bar, we offer on in our Professional Line and you should be able to get some from any PBE Store.




If the paint is cured, fully dried and hardened, then it could be you're going to have to find a different method to remove the overspray.


I saw two new products at our local Lowe's that claim they will remove overspray paint but I've never used them and don't know if they would be strong enough to tackle this type of paint. I'll get their names tomorrow and post them to this thread.


Have you checked with the paint mixer at a PBE store?


He might be able to recommend a safer approach as it's his job to understand how to mix automotive paints and chances are good if there's a product/solvent in the paint industry that will work they'll know about it and even sell you a quart or pint.

We have a forum group on this discussion forum called How To Articles and in it you'll find this thread,

How to locate Meguiar's Professional and Detailer products in your hometown

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

I read the thread about using m04 with pad 7004 or something like that for removing stuff on the windshield but that did not work for the clearcoat.

That won't work. What you read was a way of removing road film and/or water spots from exposure to inclement weather of sprinklers, not paint which is basically glued onto the glass.

A foam pad will just glide over the overspray, it won't chop it off. A wool pad on a rotary buffer with some pressure and a course compound might do the trick but not a foam pad on any kind of machine.

You need some power and safe cutting ability for this kind of project

[tguil]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

The simple answer. Take it back to the body shop. A good shop will take care of it's "mess ups".

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

The simple answer. Take it back to the body shop. A good shop will take care of it's "mess ups".

Tom

That is the simple approach, you just have to be careful they don't fix one problem and cause another, which they shouldn't but so many horror stories on the forums from peoples experience taking cars back to body shops, detail shops and dealerships for the repair of their own mistakes.

The first thing I wold do is to wash the car so it's clean and then start feeling other panels of the car for overspray on these panels.

[pampos]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

Lots of lubrication and a razor scraper,

+1 on that...It worked great for me...just clean often the blade....

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

Stopped by Lowe's this morning and picked up a bottle of Motsenbocker's LIFT OFF 4

MOTSENBOCKER'S LIFT OFF 4



It's states it's primarily for Rattle Can Spray Paint so it's unlikely it will work for a the paint on your car's windshield which is probably a catalyzed urethane paint, which is a pretty touch paint as compared to the average spray can paint.

It was less than $8.00 so it wouldn't be to expensive to test out. Next to it were some other products for the same purpose but the Lowe's salesperson said they've tried them all for use in the Lowe's store and the Motsenbockers worked the best.

Here's what the website states about the product,

#4 Graffiti Remover

Mötsenböcker’s Lift Off® #4 Spray Paint Graffiti Remover is the only water–based, biodegradable and Green Cross Certified, by Scientific Certification Systems, graffiti remover in the world! It effectively removes all types of oil based paints, varnishes, lacquers and spray paints from all types of surfaces including: stucco, concrete, cars & trucks, brick, metal, plastic and more!
Features and Benefits

Spray Paint Graffiti Remover
Green Cross Certified
Low–VOC
Water–Based
Biodegradable
Safe for the Environment & User
Works On:

Oil–Based Paints • Varnishes • Lacquers • Spray Paints • Old & Fresh Paint • Acrylics • Primers • Enamels • Sealers • Aerosol Paint • Acrylic Enamels • Semi–Gloss • High–Gloss & More!
Safe On:

Hard, Soft, Porous Surfaces including: Stucco • Concrete • Cars & Trucks • Brick • Metal • Plastic • Street Signs • Utility Boxes • Tile • Vinyl • Plexiglas® • Aluminum • Stainless Steel • Fiberglass • Split Rock • Formica® • Slumpstone & More!



I have a beater truck with polished and waxed paint and a can of red spray paint, I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes...

[chang26k]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

The first thing I wold do is to wash the car so it's clean and then start feeling other panels of the car for overspray on these panels.

When I feel the windshield, it is very smooth and I can't feel the orange peel, ripples or anything. Plus, can you educate me more about clearcoat so know what I am up against.

When the clearcoat gets on the windshield or paint, only a little gets stuck right? Or does all of the clearcoat stick like paint does. Because in a wax, only a little sticks to the clearcoat and the rest is wipe off.

[Megafast13]

Re: Overspray clearcoat on windshield

It's just glass, use the Aggressive Clay and/or a Razor Blade with lots of lubrication, such as last Touch, etc.