HELP!?!? My T4R Spray-painted. Need removal advice.

[Rogers Global]

So new years brings a lot of things. For me it came with a surprise early in the morning with a "make-over" for my TE.

I rented a small utility trailer from U-Haul to dispose of some Christmas Trees and ran out of time to return it before getting dinner with friends. I came home to make the after-hours return and came home to this:







Apparently someone felt the trailer was a few feet to close to the stop sign. Admittedly it was a little within the 30ft limit. Someone gave me a dose of their own "social justice" when I'd much rather had a parking ticket.

Here's the issue: I've been able to remove most the paint from the painted panels by it's not coming out of the trim. Any safe suggestions to remove it???

 

[Presta24]

wow man, i dont even know what to say. people are ass holes. what gave that person the right to do that? if they were that upset they could have just had you towed.........i would be livid

 

[4gin007]

that really sucks. def not a good way to start the new year. i work as a painter at a collision repair shop and i cant think of any way to get spray paint off trim pieces. anything strong enough to remove paint will certainly be strong enough to cause damage to rubber and plastic trim pieces. speaking from expierence, hope it helps in some way. good luck.

 

[RunninInGA]

Is an insurance claim a possibility?

 

[Rogers Global]

that really sucks. def not a good way to start the new year. i work as a painter at a collision repair shop and i cant think of any way to get spray paint off trim pieces. anything strong enough to remove paint will certainly be strong enough to cause damage to rubber and plastic trim pieces. speaking from expierence, hope it helps in some way. good luck.

The light at the end of the tunnel here is that the paint was sort of brittle. It feels like the stuff they spray on sidewalks to mark things during construction. I've already been able to get it off most the painted paneling... It that's trim that's got me worried. I wonder if there's something special about that paint-type that'll save me from filing a claim. I don't know what my deductible would be or how much I'd be looking at for repairs.

 

[Millerad1651]

Don't know if it will work in your case, but I have used non-chlorinated brake cleaner to remove paint transfer. Someone backed into a friends truck, and left white paint on his black truck...it came off, but we had to make sure to wax afterwards.

 

[GonOvr]

I had a paint can rupture in the back of my 4runner. This stuff got it off everything (carpet, windows, rear seat, trim, windows). It is very strong, test it in a inconspicuous spot first, to make sure it doesn't have a negative effect.

 

[kolbydmc]

I would recommend talking to ChildrenOfBodom as this has happened to his 3rd gen.

 

[bolantej]

maybe just a credit card or a stiff brush if it's that sidewalk stuff.

 

[jca21]

i used goof off on the back trim piece to remove the glue from the 4runner emblem. turned the plastic white.

i suggest you try this:

MeguiarsDirect.com: Gold Class Trim Detailer 10 oz.

i use meguiars trim detailer on all the black parts of my TE especially when they get white from waxing. seems to take the wax off with ease and its safe since its meant for black plastic trim.

at 10 bucks a bottle its worth a shot, plus you can keep it for cleaning the trim after.

btw wax the truck where the paint was.

man if i caught the guy who did that i'd put that orange spray can where the sun dont shine.

 

[khann]

I wonder if this shi...head would be brave enough to stand in front of You and said 'hey men you stand too close.' He should be shot at glance with no trial

I was removing paint with steel wool of higher grade - but after this clear coat is scratched - polishing is reqired after.

 

[Stgo2019]

That is unbelievable!
I don't have any suggestion on how to get the paint off but..

I would park there with a trailer every night until that self righteous prick came back.

 

[PWGUNNY]

That sucks. I'm sure you'll find the right product to get it off without damage. I would not use anything abrasive though.

 

[mtbnole]

park it in the same spot again, hide somewhere, and either bring a big gun, or bigger stick.

 

[Brunes]

park it in the same spot again, hide somewhere, and either bring a big gun, or bigger stick.

Great idea-Bait the jerk and then commit a violent felony because of some vandalism. And by great idea I mean great idea if you wanna go to jail.
OP-Haven't messed with this kinda removal-GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[westwind77]

park it in the same spot again, hide somewhere, and either bring a big gun, or bigger stick.

I love it...my same thoughts....or video tape it but make sure confront him during the CRIME, have friends with you, be prepared to chase his punk A$$ down. That way there is NO question who did it, then go after him for the money to repair it. If this happened in an Italian neighborhood it would never happen again!

 

[Pug]

Several cars on our street got 'tricked' (or 'treated') on Halloween by some young vandals. Fortunately, having recently waxed my son's truck the spray paint came off of fender easily using McGuire's polish. On the plastic I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and then followed up with a liberal application of Vinylex. In the end, there was no paint residue, no spotting and no discoloration on paint or plastic.

 

[BrianSD_42]

DUDE, call me a skeptic but I think this stuff will probably destroy your remaining clear coat.

The best option is to take the vehicle to an autobody shop and ask if they can remove it without repainting. Next option is to file an insurance claim.

I had a paint can rupture in the back of my 4runner. This stuff got it off everything (carpet, windows, rear seat, trim, windows). It is very strong, test it in a inconspicuous spot first, to make sure it doesn't have a negative effect.

 

[Beach Runner]

I agree with Pug, try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser. Test a small spot first, but my bet is because it is "fresh" paint, it will probably come off. I used one to remove mud/dirt stains in the paint when I removed my fender flares. After using cleaner wax with no results, I tried a magic eraser and it removed the stains with no effort.

 

[Rogers Global]

park it in the same spot again, hide somewhere, and either bring a big gun, or bigger stick.

That was definitely my first thought. lol Maybe my second... Third... etc.

Cooling down by just focusing on getting fixed has helped. My wife's 2008 Camry was the victim of a hit and run two weeks ago parked in the same spot.





I guess we're just getting used to it?? lol New Year's resolution 2012: No more wild car issues!

Some people have suggested that it's the same person. Which is creepy since we can't think of anyone that would do this AND they'd have to know BOTH our cars. Mine is garage parked 95% of the time. I like to think that some people are just jerks.