Wet Sanding overspray

[lolcantturn]

I know wet sanding is a touchy subject especially for the novice detailer. Basically, if you don't have a tool that measures paint depth, don't do it.
That being said, I don't think my case is too dramatic. The paint on my E34 shines, but there's a problem. It has white overspray from someone spray painting something in the same garage it was in. The clay bar took most of it off, which leads me to believe it's not too bad. However, the rest I believe will need to be wet sanded.
I'm thinking 2000 grit wet sand would be safe and wouldn't be too risky going through the paint?



This is at it's worst on the hood, didn't clay this part. At the top of the picture you can kind of see the masking tape line where it was clayed and the hood shines pretty well.

[DIIRTY-30]

Have you tried 3M rubbing compound? I've had really good results using it..


Edit: I've had people in parking lots hit my door on my e30/truck before and leave paint behind; hitting it with the compound takes it right off. I guess it depends on how good your clear coat is?

[mcskibadee1]

^this. You are trying to shoot an ant with a shotgun. Borrow a decent buffer and some compound, you might not even need rubbing compound but even a swirl remover will be enough.

My IS lip came off and I drove over it had tire rub marks on both sides and some polishing compound and a buffer took it out in 5 minutes.

I use the SSR 2.5 on my trunk,hood and roof for the bad stuff.

http://www.autogeek.net/pbsr.html

[young_esquire]

I recently got some overspray on my car while painting the trim. Just got get a clay bar set and do the entire car (shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes) and give it a wax after.

[e30vert]

Light pressure with 2000 will be fine. Make sure to keep the area saturated with water the entire time. After that compound and polish. It will appear hazy after the wetsand and compounding. Dont worry. Polishing heats the clear coat and makes all the haze go away.

[lolcantturn]

Much appreciated guys!

I didn't have 3M rubbing compound, but I used Turtle Wax Compound, it took a lot of it off but I'm still not 100% satisfied. It would look normal to someone who doesn't know its there, but I guess i'm just being picky. I'll wait till I get a full day to clay and compound the car.
Compound really brought out the "dead" paint, I must invest in some wax and polish

[mcskibadee1]

Polish will make it shine, wax will protect that shine. There is a great write up that is stickied in the body and paint section.

[nomansland92]

I'd wet sand it, you would be safe with 2000 grit just watch your edges. The hardest part will be buffing. Black is a tricky color so get swirls out of it.

[bmrfan]

Here are some additional things you might try (I've personally done both to remove paint overspray):

Try removing the overspray with SEM Solve - this is a product that is designed to remove "adhesives, wax, road tar, grease, and paint overspray".

Try using an "aggressive" clay bar (Meguiar's Professional line "Red" Clay for example). A more aggressive clay will probably remove the remaining overspray but will likely leave the paint slightly hazy so you will need to polish the paint to remove the haze.

[Jparkr]

Don't wet sand it yet. Try carburetor cleaner on a clean white rag. It will removal all the over spray very quickly, won't hurt the clear coat and the scratched from it will be insanely mild and easy to remove compared to spending the afternoon cutting out 2k grit scratches.

You will need to re-wax all areas that you use the carb cleaner on obviously.

[F34R]

Don't wet sand it yet. Try carburetor cleaner on a clean white rag. It will removal all the over spray very quickly, won't hurt the clear coat and the scratched from it will be insanely mild and easy to remove compared to spending the afternoon cutting out 2k grit scratches.

You will need to re-wax all areas that you use the carb cleaner on obviously.

This^ I used to work in detailing and we did the same very thing.

[Jparkr]

Its works so well that you will think its some type of witchcraft.

[Ceeker]

if the paint is fairly fresh (overspray) you can wet a rag with lacquer thinner and glide it over the surface. then wash off immediately. it might dull it a bit at first. do a light polish or wax and you're done. I've done is a dozen times. as long as you wash the area immediately off with soapy water you should be fine. there is plenty of hardener in the paint so the thinner would need to be left on for a bit for damage to occur. there is no need to wet sand.
the other option as pointed out the clay bar - may need a second app.

[audiquattrot]

I can barter my detailing services, for iX parts ;)

Really though, I have a lot of experience wetsanding, buffing, etc....can help you out whenever you want since you're right over the bridge. PM me if you need help. I have all wetsanding, compounding, polishes, orbital & pads to do it properly.

edit: btw if its only spray paint, nail polish remover works to remove it, and retain your paint. Just do a test spot before going to town on the rest of the car.

[lolcantturn]

Don't wet sand it yet. Try carburetor cleaner on a clean white rag. It will removal all the over spray very quickly, won't hurt the clear coat and the scratched from it will be insanely mild and easy to remove compared to spending the afternoon cutting out 2k grit scratches.

You will need to re-wax all areas that you use the carb cleaner on obviously.

That is very interesting! One would assume that carb cleaner might be too harsh for the paint. Now the scratches remaining, I'm guessing a good scratch compound type deal would take care of them?

I can barter my detailing services, for iX parts ;)

Really though, I have a lot of experience wetsanding, buffing, etc....can help you out whenever you want since you're right over the bridge. PM me if you need help. I have all wetsanding, compounding, polishes, orbital & pads to do it properly.

edit: btw if its only spray paint, nail polish remover works to remove it, and retain your paint. Just do a test spot before going to town on the rest of the car.

Haha I might need you for detailing my E30! But much appreciated, good to know there's local help around here :D