Paint Can Disaster

[morpheusx]

definitely claim that on your insurance and have it fixed right at the body shop. Afterall that's why we get insurance to begin with. Since its a comp. claim your rates will not increase.

[rigormortis]

for future reference
-------------------

if you hurry up and get at it really fast, spray paint can be removed using rubbing
compound, but you need to remove it before its completely dried

[ranchogirl]

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

A few years ago I ran over a GALLON of OIL-BASED white paint in my garage when my car was ONE DAY OLD.

(Yes, my husband left it there...)

I was pulling into the garage and it happened in a single instant. One second nothing, then the next second - POP - paint was everywhere. Everywhere.

It not only got my car of course, but a huge amount of stuff in the garage, including my husband's golf bag, folding tables, tool chests, our epoxied floor. Everything. Everywhere. In an instant.

All I remember was getting out of my car half screaming and half crying and getting the hose, which did nothing (oil-based). My neighbor across the street called my husband at work and told him that he thought that something was wrong with his wife. He came home, and I don't know how he did it, but he got it all off. I think he used paint thinner. I'm not sure how he managed to do it without damaging the paint but he did. It was all over the tires and wheels too.

You are not alone. And I second the suggestion of filing an insurance claim if you are not able to get it all off.

[SparrowHawk60]

What a mess, doesn't pay to be careless. I too always wind up paying for taking short cuts.
A body shop should be able to buff most of the over spray off your car. Windshield and plastic parts are an other story.
Watch out using solvents on the plastic parts, as you found out they may eat the plastic! Also most solvents need some sort of stopping agent. Once they start working they need something to make them stop. Strong soap and water often works, but may not have the full effect on oil based solvents.
A lot of plastics don't rebound well, once ruined they are often to far gone to be saved.
I hope you have the best of luck restoring your car's original finish.
A lot of us who parked in the Navy's shipyards use to get over spray on our cars. Paint thinner and elbow grease was the only way to get this stuff off.

[steveholtam]

Thanks everyone for the tips and ideas. I spent some more time last night getting the windows clean, using pure Goof Off. It worked pretty good and I got most of the windows nice and clean. I plan on tackling the trim and plastic parts tonight. I'll try some of your thoughts during this process.

This whole process has been odd for me. Everyone I know is fully freaked out, and I'm just taking it like unwanted labor. I guess I blame myself, so its up to me to fix it or live with it. I think I will be able to get almost all the paint off, its just how much plastic will I melt. I guess I could replace many of the plastic parts later if I feel the cost justifies the corrected look.

I did love the worry over the first scratch reply! Ranchogirls story was great also. I can only imagine how much work your husband went through to clean up the mess. Oil based paint is a PAIN!