How to Remove Overspray Without Damaging Clear Coat

Overspray is basically a substance that sits on top of the clear coat and other surface panels that are relatively difficult to remove from the surface of the vehicle.

When it comes to removing the overspray without damaging the clearcoat, the task can become really hefty and complicated at the same time.

There are also types of overspray, such as fire soot and chemical fallout that are deeply embedded into the pores of a clear coat and cannot be removed at all without taking the whole clear coat off.

Are you facing the same issue here? Then continue reading to find out the solution to your problem.

How is overspray created?

There are many times when you are just minding your business and cleaning your car, and then it struck you that why not paint the damaged parts of the car? Well, that is where overspray can be created.

Using spray paint rigs or even paint rollers on a bad weather can cause overspray, like a lot of it in just one go. Indoor paint booths and metal foundries having a renege in their filters leading outdoors, therefore, lead to overspray fallouts on your vehicle.

The other reasons for overspray can be chemical and petroleum industries, for example, if you are living in an area where these industries are constantly working, and the plant stacks occasionally have blowouts, and then the result can be a lot of fallout damage for your vehicles.

How to Remove Overspray Without Damaging Clear Coat

As it is already mentioned that removing overspray can be a hefty task to accomplish, but there is a certain procedure that will help you remove even the deeply embedded overspray fallouts from your vehicle’s surface and also not damage the clear coat in the process.

These tips and tricks are also pocket-friendly and won’t make you buy a lot of tools and carry out the process in a place as simple as your garage.

But make sure that you consult with a professional, so if the damage is too bad, then you can get it done by a specialist for this work. Here are the following steps for removing overspray:

Method1

Get a Clay bar

First of all, you will need to buy a clay bar that is 100% authentic, so you don’t face further problems with your overspray.

As it is already known that clay bars are magic when it comes to removal of overspray from all types of surfaces and are often used on cars or glass even.

The costs of these clay bars range from 5$-25$, depending on the quality and quantity both of the clay bar, so make sure you get the one that is required by your car surface. Furthermore, you will need a lubricant to make the clay bar glide over the surface of your vehicle and remove the overspray effectively.

The lubricant can be a simple car surface cleaner spray, soapy water, or even a branded spray that comes most of the time in a pack with the clay bar to give a more even finish.

Read Also: How to Remove Clear Coat From Car

Clean surface

Now that you have your clay bar, you can get on with the next step that is creating a clean surface with your clay bar.

New clay bars are a bit hard, so you need to dip them in warm water and squeeze to get them soft and make sure that you clear away the surface where the overspray is done so that you can clean it with the clay bar.

Note: maintain the life of your clay bar by keeping it in a safe container that isn’t in the reach of children or pets, and safe from any dust as well.

Lubrication

As already mentioned, you will need to make the clay bar work effectively, and for that, lubrication is an important step.

The overspray is a dry patch on the car and needs to get wet so that you can use any removal sprays, clay bar sprays, or soapy water to do the job. To ensure that the spot of overspray is completely wet, you can use a damp cloth to wipe when you are done spraying it.

Use the clay bar

Now is the time to use the clay bar finally, and for that, you need to begin by slowly rubbing the clay bar onto the spot.

There will be a sense of resistance between the clay and the overspray, and this doesn’t mean that you should get scared because this is exactly the feeling you should get.

Resistance or friction between the two causes the clay bar to work properly, and once you feel that the overspray is starting to lose its dryness, then it means it is getting off, and you are doing the right thing.

Read Also: Top 10 Best Car Scratch Remover

Final touches

Now, as the overspray is off, you can bring the final step into the procedure, and by using a microfiber cloth/towel, you can wipe clean by spraying an auto body cleaner once again on the spot.

This will take off any remaining debris off of the spot and give you a shiny, smooth finish while maintaining the clear coat along the way.

Method2

Alcohol

As you might not know that alcohol can remove any paint, and overspray is one of the things it can work on.

You can start off by taking a little amount of alcohol and rubbing it on to the spot where the overspray is done and create a layer of it over the spot for proper function.

You will have to measure the quantity of alcohol according to the size of the over sprayed spot as well to make sure that the alcohol is right enough for the process.

Merging process

You will have to wait now for the alcohol to merge into the spot properly, or you can say dissolve completely to carry out its function.

This step will take some time, but if the alcohol is of good quality, then it can carry out its process in just seconds and relieve you from all the stress.

Just wait for your own assurance and let the alcohol sit on top of the overspray spot to clear all the damage and the dryness that is mostly created by the weather itself.

Read Also: Top 10 Best Paint Sprayer for Cars

Cleaning

Once the overspray is dissolved with alcohol, you can find a microfiber cloth to rub on it or wipe it up to clean away the messed up surface and also the puddle that alcohol creates most of the time where it is used.

Mostly alcohol is an effective means of clearing away overspray, but if you still want to be sure about it and bring any more touches to the spot, then you can slightly scrape away the spots where you think the overspray still remains.

Lubrication and final touches

To maintain this procedure for the long term, you will need to properly clean the entire spot by lubricating it with soapy water first.

You can either directly pour soapy water on the spot or dip a clean towel into the water and then rub the surface off with it.

This way, any remaining alcohol will be rubbed off, and the clear coat will be not damaged, which is really necessary to maintain if you just got it done on your vehicle.

Read Also: How to Fix Car Scratches On Your Own

What happens to the finish after removing overspray?

The finish of the vehicle is not entirely damaged if you follow the right steps and methods such as explained above, and if you still want to make sure about your clear coat, then get the best clay bar, alcohol, or removal spray for the process.

Either way, you will have to follow a step and get the respective product, which has to be high quality. You cannot compromise on the quality even if the price range is high because then the clear coat’s maintenance can’t be promised.

Anyhow, clear coats can be preserved with a little cooperation from car owners, and instead of spending thousands of dollars on the car specialists, you can follow simple methods at home in your own garage and just do the job right.

Final Thoughts

Taking the proper precautions and guidance is necessary for your clear coat and car surface overall. If you want to take a risk for the sake of saving some cash, then it is up to you, but your car needs proper car and maintenance when it comes to the exterior.

Overspray can be hazardous for your car and can cause years of damage if not treated right away, so make sure you spend the needed amount and save your car from the misery of dying before time.

Also, if the clear coat is fresh, then it is your responsibility to help the overspray get off, and in just an hour’s time, you can clear it away with a simple tool. So don’t waste your time and get on with it as soon as possible.