Have you recently discovered the benefits of plasti dip? Did you buy some and use it on your car? In the process, could you have gotten the plasti dip on an unintended surface?
Well, this is what we refer to as overspray in the detailing world. If you are new to plasti dip, it is normal to have some overspray when applying the product to your vehicle.
Overspray usually occurs because of a lack of proper painting techniques. You will get more accustomed to spray painting with time, and overspray will no longer be an issue.
However, if you have some plasti dip overspray on your car, you definitely can’t leave it there. It may affect your car’s finish and aesthetics.
Therefore, getting rid of it as soon as possible is crucial. Below, we will discuss some of the ways you can safely remove plasti dip overspray without damaging your car paint or surface.
What Can I Use to Get Plasti Dip Overspray from Paint?
Before we list some of these methods, we must clarify something. There is a difference between getting plasti dip off a car and removing plasti dip overspray.
A vehicle that has been plasti dipped features several layers of the product, which can be peeled off easily.
However, plasti dip overspray comprises tiny particles of plasti dip that don’t peel easily, and that’s why you have to use the following methods.
With that in mind, let’s get started with some of the things you can use to remove plasti dip overspray.
• Microfiber Cloth and Some Elbow Grease
This is the safest method of removing plasti dip overspray from cars. From time to time, even professional detailers get plasti dip overspray on surfaces they didn’t intend to coat with this product.
One of the ways you can remove plasti dip overspray is by using a microfiber cloth and elbow grease.
This method is only effective when the plasti dip hasn’t been allowed to cure on the surface. Because once that is done, no matter how much effort you put in, the overspray won’t come off.
In case you were spraying plasti dip and noticed some overspray. Immediately you are done with applying the final coat, grab a microfiber cloth and get to scrubbing.
The plasti dip should come off quickly. Ensure that you scrub thoroughly and gently. If you apply too much pressure, you may end up scratching the paint.
• Use Goo Gone
Another product that has been commonly used in removing plasti dip overspray is Goo Gone. When plasti dip cures on a surface, it dries into a layer of rubber coating.
What Goo Gone does is break down the rubber coating into a gooey substance that you can easily scrub off the surface of your car using a microfiber towel.
There have been concerns regarding the use of Goo Gone on car paint. The manufacturer, however, claims that you can safely use it on all surfaces.
However, as a careful car owner, we wouldn’t recommend leaving Goo Gone on paint for long as it may eat through the clear coat.
If you plan to use it to remove plasti dip overspray, spray it on the affected surface. Please give it a couple of minutes to dissolve into the plasti dip, then rub it with a microfiber cloth.
The gooey substance should come off easily. Once you are done, grab some water and carwash shampoo. Wash the surface thoroughly and layer it with some wax. If it’s possible, you can apply some sealant.
Other than the above concerns, Goo Gone is an excellent plasti dip overspray remover. It works fast, doesn’t pose much of a risk to car paint as long as it is washed off, and Goo Gone is a common household cleaner.
You can get some from your local store or order it online, and it’s very easy to use.
• WD-40
Another popular product that is used to remove plasti dip overspray is WD-40. The only drawback of this product is that it comprises ingredients that can be harmful to paint.
However, if you are desperate to remove plasti dip overspray from your car surface, then WD-40 can do just the trick.
You should spray it on the plasti dip overspray, and let it soak for a couple of minutes before rubbing it off with a microfiber cloth.
Which Products Remove Plasti Dip Overspray the Fastest?
If you want to get rid of the plasti dip overspray faster, a couple of products can help you with that. They include;
• Paint thinner
Out of all the ingredients you can use to remove plasti dip overspray, paint thinner is the most aggressive. Please use this as the last resort when you have entirely run out of options.
In the same way, it is effective at removing plasti dip, and so is it at removing clear coat and paint.
If you leave paint thinner on the surface of your car paint for too long, it will eat through the clear coat and etch the paint job. Thus leaving the metal naked and vulnerable to corrosion.
If you decide to use paint thinner, you will use a slightly different approach than Goo Gone and WD-40. Do not spray the product directly to the plasti dip as the results can be catastrophic.
Instead, dab some paint thinner on a microfiber cloth and hold it against the plasti dip overspray for a couple of seconds before wiping it off. Please do not give the plasti dip room to settle on the paint as it will eat through it.
• Isopropyl Alcohol
This solvent is known to clean a wide range of stains. Therefore, plasti dip should come off quickly when exposed to some isopropyl alcohol. This product works similarly to Goo Gone.
It breaks down the plasti dip into a liquid material that can be wiped off easily. Isopropyl alcohol shouldn’t be allowed to it for too long on paint as it will etch it.
Therefore, spray some on a microfiber cloth, let it soak on the plasti dip overspray, and then wipe it off with a dry cloth. After that, you should wash the surface with soap and water.
These methods are fast, but they are quite risky because the ingredients in question can hurt the car paint. You, therefore, have to evaluate between urgency and risk when choosing the best method how to remove plasti dip overspray.
Are There Safer Ways to Remove Plasti Dip Overspray?
If you are not a risk-taker, there are a couple of safer ways and pose no harm to your paint.
• Peeling off plasti dip is the safest way for you to remove overspray. Depending on how tiny the overspray is, this method may not be ideal. But it is worth a try.
• The second safest method of removing plasti dip overspray is by scrubbing it off with a microfiber cloth. The latter can be quite useful, especially if the plasti dip hasn’t cured on the car paint.
• If the above method doesn’t work, there is another safe method, which entails using clay bars. Claying has been known to remove contaminants from car surfaces for years. You, too, can use this product to get rid of plasti dip overspray. Please note that claying requires a lot of work.
Can I Use Mineral Spirits to Remove Plasti Dip Overspray?
Mineral spirits are as aggressive as paint thinners. Therefore, if you do use them, ensure that you are very careful. The problem with harsh solvents such as mineral spirits is that they can cause a lot of damage.
When you leave them in your car for too long, there is a good chance that the paint will be eaten away. And this can leave your car’s metal parts vulnerable to rust and corrosion.
It’s better to use safer methods, even if they take longer to remove the plasti dip overspray.
What Causes Plasti Dip Overspray?
If you discover plasti dip overspray after completing your project, do not be too hard on yourself. It happens to the best of us.
Knowing the causes of plasti dip overspray can help you prevent similar occurrences in the future. Here are some of the things that can cause plasti dip overspray;
• Wind – Never underestimate the power of wind when you are applying this specialized rubber coating. There is a reason all types of painting jobs are done in an enclosed environment. The presence of strong winds can make it difficult for you to target specific areas.
• Your spray pattern doesn’t match the surface – There are two types of spray patterns broad and narrow. The latter is more ideal on small surfaces and vice versa. If you use the wrong spray pattern, there is a good chance that you will find yourself with too much overspray.
• How far do you hold the plasti dip spray from the target – Holding it too close or too far can result in plasti dip overspray and an uneven finish. The recommended distance between the plasti dip spray can and the target surface should be seven to ten inches.