Body Shop or Auto Detailer?

[Napalm]

Hey y’all! In need of some assistance.

My wife ran through some white household paint on the road in her new-to-us 2017 Limited.

It’s all over the fender liners, on the paint, and wheels and rear tire. I can use my fingernail and it will come off with a little elbow grease.

I’m looking for some insight from some paint and body experts. Is this a body shop repair or could an auto detail shop handle something like this? I’m fixing to start grabbing quotes and wasn’t sure where to begin. Thanks for any help!!

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[Humble Leader]

not a paint expert. not a body expert. not a detailing expert. but I wouldn't take my vehicle to a detailer for that. care needs to be had so you don't remove good paint and have a bigger problem. heres what I would do

- if the fingernail method is working then stick with it, but if you need something more then try below
- on the tires leave it alone it will work its way off
- on the fender liner, try some paint thinner and/or acetone. see if it works. same thing for the rims
- on the paint, same thing as above (if it worked) but use a q tip or cotton swap and be careful (masking tape as best you can around the larger spots), you don't want to go through the clear coat and into the base coat
- when you're done removing the paint from the body I would use a light polish followed by a nice coat of wax

 

[spartacus]

A good detailer would be good. A body shop will most likely sand it and paint. DIY would be; Hair dryer to soften the splattered paint then use rubbing alcohol. Then clay bar it with soapy water. Don't rub the clear coat too hard. Wash the area then do it again if needed. Hot water also won't hurt. Dry it compound it, polish it, then wax it. Next time this happens get to car wash or a water hose asap.

 

[johnnygraphic]

not a paint expert. not a body expert. not a detailing expert. but I wouldn't take my vehicle to a detailer for that. care needs to be had so you don't remove good paint and have a bigger problem. heres what I would do

- if the fingernail method is working then stick with it, but if you need something more then try below
- on the tires leave it alone it will work its way off
- on the fender liner, try some paint thinner and/or acetone. see if it works. same thing for the rims
- on the paint, same thing as above (if it worked) but use a q tip or cotton swap and be careful (masking tape as best you can around the larger spots), you don't want to go through the clear coat and into the base coat
- when you're done removing the paint from the body I would use a light polish followed by a nice coat of wax

No, don't do any of the above!

A good detailer would be good. A body shop will most likely sand it and paint. DIY would be; Hair dryer to soften the splattered paint then use rubbing alcohol. Then clay bar it with soapy water. Don't rub the clear coat too hard. Wash the area then do it again if needed. Hot water also won't hurt. Dry it compound it, polish it, then wax it. Next time this happens get to car wash or a water hose asap.

Yes to the above. Do NOT take it to a body shop as they are not paint detailers fanatics like a detail shop would be. They usually want to get the car in/out as fast as possible. If you don't have the clay bar/polish/wax/sealant, take it to a professional. While they're at it, they can take care of the rest of the car and give it a good polish/coating. I suggest either a ceramic coat or graphene coating. Long lasting and VERY smooth. Much better than traditional waxes.

If you want to try your hand at it, buy a clay bar kit and GOOD microfiber towels (Rag Company), alcohol and a light polish and machine. Watch YT videos for tutorials. Then, after all of that, coat it.

 

[DEF4Runner]

You might also be able to use some bug/tar remover to help loosen it up a bit...might just come right off.

I believe it's safe on clear coat but be sure to read the label before squeezing the handle.

 

[honda250xtitan]

diy that.

or have a detailer do it and have them fix the rest of the paint.

body shop will take it off with a rotary polisher and leave you with swirl marks once the cheap wax they use to cover it washes off.

 

[Saker]

Don't use acetone on your paint or clearcoat........PERIOD!

 

[John in NC]

2nd vote for the bug and tar remover.
Wheel cleaner spray on the wheels might work.

 

[Napalm]

Thanks for all the input guys!!

Gonna start out with a clay bar kit and some bug and tar remover and go from there.

Body shop quoted me $610 at minimum, gonna hold off on that.

Also thinking about doing a rocker panel swap over the the SR5 ones, never been a fan of the limited rocker panels.


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[Napalm]

DIY was the way to go. Clay bar kit, bug and tar remover, two coats of Wax and some serious elbow grease.
Before

And after - 5 hours later

Can’t get it off the inner fenders, most likely gonna replace them. I’m also replacing the limited rocker panels/steps with an SR5/trail swap and some different steps!


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[Forgetful]

Good job, but your choice in footwear won't please the Instagram models here.

 

[JoshDub]

The fender liners will also come out. Let the tar remover soak. Heat also helps if you have a steamer

 

[Napalm]

The fender liners will also come out. Let the tar remover soak. Heat also helps if you have a steamer

I’ll give that a try! It’s definitely a multi day repair process, my main goal for today was getting it off the actual paint!

Good job, but your choice in footwear won't please the Instagram models here.

LoL! If you ain’t croc’in, you ain’t rockin!


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[DEF4Runner]

Since it's the inner fender liner, and since there's no (auto) paint there, see if you can dab some mineral spirits in there to get it off.

Up close and personal with a power washer might work too

If neither of those work, maybe some bedliner spray might stick.

 

[Saker]

House paint..... ?

Is it latex paint, the pressure wash.

Is it oil based, mineral spirits as mentioned, then pressure wash.

On body, be careful.

 

[Napalm]

House paint..... ?



Is it latex paint, the pressure wash.



Is it oil based, mineral spirits as mentioned, then pressure wash.



On body, be careful.

Yes sir, I believe it was water based as it could come off with just a fingernail. For the body I just used clay bar, but and tar remover, and elbow grease.

Since it's the inner fender liner, and since there's no (auto) paint there, see if you can dab some mineral spirits in there to get it off.



Up close and personal with a power washer might work too



If neither of those work, maybe some bedliner spray might stick.

That’s the plan, try some harder chems on the fender liners. If it doesn’t work, then move to paint/plasti dip/bedliner


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[honda250xtitan]

nice work OP. definitely more rewarding to knock it out yourself. now go buy a griots garage DA polisher for next time