Removing paint from black plastic trim. (Page 1/2)
fredtoast JUN 07, 11:44 PM
The car I just bought had a $100 used car lot paint job. One of the worst I have ever seen. There is overspray on the wheels. But the worst part is that they just painted over the black plastic body trim instead of taping it off.

What can I use to take off the paint without ruining the trim?
Mike in Sydney JUN 08, 02:12 AM
I suspect you are out of luck. I doubt there is any thing chemical you can use to remove the ppaint without damaging the plastic but you can try Scotchbrite pads. They are available from auto paint suppliers.

SCOTCHBRITE GRIT CHART
3M Scotch Brite Nylon Pads:
7445 - White pad, called Light Duty Cleansing - 1200-1500 grit
7448 - Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - 800 grit.
6448 - Green (?), called Light Duty Hand Pad - 600 grit
7447 - Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand -320 grit
6444 - Brown pad, called Extra Duty Hand - 240 grit
7446 - Dark Grey pad, called Blending Pad 150 grit
7440 - Tan pad, called Heavy Duty Hand Pad - 60(?)
Blue Scotch-Brite is considered to be about 1000 grit.

I would start with the white or light grey and then try something more coarse.
Sage JUN 08, 09:18 AM
Might try this stuff.....I've seen it remove the paint from the body of model cars. Generally, you had to soak the part in a pan/bowl/whatever of it, but it might work spraying it on and leaving it for awhile?

No guarantees...just a thought, as I've seen it work to remove paint from plastic without damaging the plastic.

Comes in spray bottles, or gallon jugs. Walmart is supposed to have it.


Don't know if mineral spirits would be of any use, or tupentine....never tried turpentine on plastic, could melt it?

Other than that, what Mike has outlined will work just fine, just take a while and require some elbow grease!

Another thought....you could tape it off and use trim paint to just return it to black....but when when it does start "peeling" (and it will) you have a worse problem to deal with. LIke I said, just a thought.


Good luck!

HAGO!

[This message has been edited by Sage (edited 06-08-2023).]

theogre JUN 08, 09:43 AM
If they didn't properly prepare to paint the plastic...
Paint may Peal off the plastic.
Polypropylene and some other plastic types don't like many paints, primers and even many "glues" and won't stick long.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Dukesterpro JUN 08, 09:44 AM
reminds me of my basketcase 88GT, which I just traded out for my lovely 86.

Rustoleum Paint,

Rolled On.

Rolled over trim, Fiero Badge, taillights (Cracked anyway) on all the glass, on the sunroof seals lmao
fredtoast JUN 08, 10:15 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

If they didn't properly prepare to paint the plastic...
Paint may Peal off the plastic.
Polypropylene and some other plastic types don't like many paints, primers and even many "glues" and won't stick long.





They didn't prepare it at all. That makes it even a worse problem. If I do nothing it will just start peeling off and look even worse.

I will probably end up ruining the current trim and then posting on here asking how to re-paint plastic trim.
fredtoast JUN 08, 10:16 AM
Will this old trim break apart if I try to remove it?
Mickey_Moose JUN 08, 10:52 AM
Remove the trim and use brake fluid on it. Old modeler car trick for removing paint from plastic.

I would use scotch brite on it as that will scratch the plastic - although you could eventually buff it out.

The trim will not likely break, you will most likely break some of the mounting clips - just note, depending on the year/model of the car - not all trim can be removed and is molded with the piece (doors and rear quarter for sure).

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 06-08-2023).]

theogre JUN 08, 11:12 AM

quote
Originally posted by fredtoast:
Will this old trim break apart if I try to remove it?

Likely No but the Clips holding it like on the doors very often will.
fredtoast JUN 08, 11:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by Mickey_Moose:


The trim will not likely break, you will most likely break some of the mounting clips - just note, depending on the year/model of the car - not all trim can be removed and is molded with the piece (doors and rear quarter for sure).





My Haynes manual is in the mail. Not touching anything until I get that to consult..