5 Ways Remove Road Paint From Your Car By Yourselves

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Have you ever noticed yellow or white paint streaks on your car out of nowhere? Or has it ever happened to you that your car has had road paint on its exterior for some days and you failed to notice it earlier?

We are sure it must have happened to you. That’s why we are here with some tips and tricks on ”how to remove road paint from cars”.

How To Remove Road Paint From Your Car

This is something that must have happened to every other person out there driving a car at least once in their lifetime. However, if you are always careful then that’s a different story. Otherwise, it’s a very common occurrence.

Still, people are unaware of how to deal with such a situation. If you are also one of those people then don’t worry. We know how costly it is to go for car detailing every time something goes wrong.

So, we’ll not suggest that to you. However, we have got some verified methods for you to remove road paint from your car by yourself.

How to Remove Road Paint From the Car By Yourself in the Comfort Of Your Home?

Now, there could be two possibilities:

  1. Your car has got some fresh road paint streaks.
  2. Or, your car got road paint on it from some days which you failed to notice earlier.

No matter what your situation is, there are several ways to come out of these situations. Just follow any of the given procedures and remove the road paint from your vehicle with ease.

  • The easiest method is to use a pressure washer on the affected area to wash it. The pressure from the pressure washer would loosen up the paint and it will be wiped off.
  • In case the paint doesn’t get off and is still intact then spray WD-40 on the affected area and let it stay for some time before washing it. In case, if the paint is still intact then repeat the same procedure and that will do the job.
  • You can also use some baby wipes to get rid of the nasty streaks. Since baby wipes have certain petrochemical ingredients in them, they could be effective to loosen road paint. Make sure you go easy or you would end up messing up the finishes of your car.
  • If the road paint stripe on your car is a full-blown stain and not just a stripe then apply petroleum jelly on it and leave it for some hours or overnight and then wash it with a pressure washer. It would get off the paint easily from your car.
  • You can also wipe it off with a microfiber towel. All you have to do is to put some mineral spirit on the microfiber towel and wipe the paint with it. The mineral spirit would loosen up the paint which could then be removed easily.
  • There are some leading ready-to-use wipes in the industry to maintain your car. So, if you are short of time then you can just buy any of them from the market and use them to wipe off the paint from your car.

Choose any of the above-mentioned ways to remove the road paint from your car. At last, make sure you apply a proper form of protection of wax, sealant, or any strong coating to give it a final finish.

It would remove any remnants that were left behind and will make it easy for you to deal with such situations in the near future.

Use Clay Bar to Remove Road Paint

A clay bar is another highly effective method to remove stubborn road paint from your car’s surface. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Soften the Area: Start by washing the affected area with water and car soap.
  2. Lubricate: Spray a clay bar lubricant on the area where the road paint is present.
  3. Rub the Clay Bar: Gently rub the clay bar over the paint in a back-and-forth motion. The bar will pick up the contaminants, including road paint, without damaging the car’s surface.
  4. Wipe Down: Use a microfiber towel to wipe down the area and check for any remaining paint.

This method works great on paint that has dried up over time or when other methods like pressure washing and WD-40 don’t completely clean the surface.

How to Remove Paint From Wheel Wells?

Removing the road paint from wheel wells is quite a task but it could be done easily if you do it with extra care. Go with any of the following methods to get rid of the paint from your car’s wheel wells.

  • Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly and leave it for some days followed by the pressure washing of the car.
  • Or, you could just apply some alcohol using a sponge and dry it off with a rag or something.

Use a Heat Gun for Hardened Paint

For paint that has dried for an extended period or paint that has bonded tightly to your car’s surface, a heat gun can help soften it. Here’s how:

  1. Set the Heat Gun to Low: Use the heat gun at a low temperature to gently heat the paint.
  2. Scrape with a Plastic Scraper: After softening the paint, use a plastic scraper (not metal) to carefully remove the paint.
  3. Follow Up with a Wash: Wash the area with soapy water to remove any residue.

This method can be especially useful for removing thicker road paint splatters without damaging the vehicle’s surface.

How to Avoid Getting Road Paint On the Car?

Prevention is always better than cure. The best way to avoid getting road paint on your car is to prevent it which you can only do by being extra careful while driving. Make sure to not drive on a freshly painted road.

  • Read the instructions carefully on the road markers.
  • Look out for any warning signs.
  • And, look out for safety cones anywhere on the road.

Use a Paint Protection Film (PPF)

One highly effective way to avoid damage from road paint is by installing a paint protection film (PPF) on your car. It acts as a clear protective barrier over the car’s paint, preventing road paint from bonding to the surface. The film can be easily removed or replaced if needed. This solution is particularly useful for people who frequently drive through construction zones or freshly painted roads.

Conclusion

Getting road paint on your car is something recurring if you are the one to ignore road markers for which you can’t go to auto shops every time it happens. The best way to avoid it is to be careful while driving.

But still if you get some paint streaks accidentally on your car then follow any one of the aforementioned steps and get rid of the nasty looking stains by yourself with ease.

FAQs

Is road paint hazardous?

Road paint consists of several VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that could be harmful to the environment and our cars. It could also affect the exterior finishing of your car.

How effective is WD-40 to remove paint?

WD-40 does not just get rid of the rust but also the paint easily. However, it might require you to repeat the procedure to effectively get rid of this paint.

Can Road Paint Damage My Car’s Paint Job?

Yes, road paint can damage your car’s finish if not removed promptly. The longer it stays on your car, the more likely it is to bond with the surface, especially under heat and UV exposure. If left untreated, it may require professional detailing to repair the damage.

Is It Safe to Use Acetone to Remove Road Paint?

Acetone can be effective in removing road paint, but it’s a very strong solvent and can damage your car’s clear coat and paint if used improperly. It’s best to apply acetone cautiously with a microfiber cloth and only to small areas. Always wash and wax the affected area afterward to protect the paint.

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Suanne Klahorst

Hello, my name is Suanne Klahorst and I'm the writer and Editor on CarDetailingDIY. I love to write and tell people what they need to know about car detailing and make sure they get good information to do the detailing by themselves.