Overspray Cleaning/Removal

Hooked · Wednesday at 10:50 AM

I didn't find any other threads addressing this except for old stuff on a toolbox.

Grandson got his F150 back from the body shop yesterday (wreck damage) and we discovered they didn't do a very good job covering the roof when painting the doors, etc. so we need to get some light overspray removed. I thought about using claybar but don't know if this is the preferred approach or is there a better solution to get this cleaned up.
He could always take it back but that would be a real PIA going that route.

lolaetype · Wednesday at 11:06 AM

Depending on how much overspray there is a clay bar could work well. You have nothing to lose by trying it other than the cost of the claybar and the lubricant. Something else I've used on rattle can overspray is a cloth moistened with mineral spirits. It's not aggressive enough to bother the already cured paint on the roof.

gizardlizard · Wednesday at 11:09 AM

High speed rotary buffer, lambswool pad and some mild cutting agent. The new paint is softer and will come off.

carlaisle · Wednesday at 2:15 PM

What gizard said, but I'd 100% take that straight back to the shop and let them do the work they were too lazy to avoid the first time. They can do it while you wait.

Stuart in MN · 2026-05-21T12:46:37-0400

Yeah, even though you said it will be a pain to do so I'd bring it back to the shop and tell them to fix it Right Now.

whateg01 · 2026-05-21T12:49:09-0400

If it's fresh, acetone will wipe it off but you'll want to re-wax right after if that's your thing.

whateg01 · 2026-05-21T12:50:07-0400

Stuart in MN said:
Yeah, even though you said it will be a pain to do so I'd bring it back to the shop and tell them to fix it Right Now.

It's going to be a pain either way. A pain in the arms or a pain in the ****. I agree with giving them the opportunity to make it right. Of course, if this was a discounted paint job, they might say pound sand.

Mark_17 · 2026-05-21T14:15:40-0400

I've taken off light overspray with clay bar. That's the least intrusive method. I'd start there.

MileHighRover · 2026-05-21T16:09:30-0400

The clay bar was literally invented to remove overspray in a body shop. It is the correct tool for the job.

Gordonjuan · 2026-05-21T16:28:35-0400

I would start with a clay bar or one of the synthetic mits. Start with the least aggressive and move up.

If you do clay it, you should do a light polish afterwards. It can causing marring and marks. It just depends on how picky you want to be about the paint. Of course, protection afterwards. Wax, sealant, coating.

PCustoms · 2026-05-21T16:57:05-0400

Back to the shop, it's their issue

BurtEggley · 2026-05-21T19:59:29-0400

PCustoms said:
Back to the shop, it's their issue

this ^^^ . Many have said it. If you do something and later there is a problem, guess whose problem it will be then - yours.

Hooked · 2026-05-22T10:08:02-0400

I appreciate the urging fellas. I've 'suggested' to my grandson he beat a path back there today (his day off). We'll see.

Overspray Cleaning/Removal

Hooked

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lolaetype

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gizardlizard

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carlaisle

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Stuart in MN

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whateg01

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whateg01

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Mark_17

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MileHighRover

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Gordonjuan

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PCustoms

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BurtEggley

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Hooked

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