Methods for Removing Paint from Car Surfaces
2 Answers
Methods for removing paint from car surfaces are as follows: 1. Banana Oil. Dip a towel in banana oil and gently wipe the paint spots to dilute the paint. It is very effective for cleaning paint spots, and finally rinse with clean water. However, banana oil is toxic, volatile, and somewhat corrosive, which can damage the car paint, so extra caution is needed when using it. 2. Gasoline. Gasoline can dissolve paint effectively with little corrosion. The steps are the same as with banana oil. 3. Alcohol. Paint can be removed by wiping with alcohol. Use a soft cotton cloth dipped in alcohol and gently wipe the paint. 4. Essential Balm. Essential balm has the effect of dissolving paint and can also be used to clean paint spots, with the same operation as alcohol.
To remove car surface paint, as a hands-on enthusiast, I find chemical paint strippers to be the most commonly used method—readily available at auto repair shops or online. Apply it, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and the old paint can be easily scraped off. Always wear gloves and goggles during the process to avoid skin contact with chemicals. I've also tried manual sanding with sandpaper, which is more labor-intensive but safer, especially suitable for small-area repairs like fixing scratches. Remember to use fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 800-grit or higher) to avoid scratching the metal surface. The entire process should be done outdoors in a well-ventilated area to prevent inhaling fumes. If the old paint isn’t completely removed before applying new paint, the car body may rust or bubble, so I usually clean the surface and apply primer first. When refurbishing old cars, I follow these steps—it works well and saves money.
