11
Road Paint Removal
Vehicles that are driven on freshly painted roads are most likely to accumulate road paint on their exterior surfaces. Freshly applied road paint can be splattered onto the exterior surfaces of a vehicle, and required special treatment to be removed.
Road paint is typically made of thermoplastic marking paint that contains synthetic resins, beads, pigments, and other materials. It is a durable substance in extreme weather conditions and requires to be intentionally treated when on a vehicle’s surface.
To effectively treat road paint, there are three main methods:
- Fresh to semi-hardened road paint (using SUPER SOL, a microfiber towel, and a plastic razor blade). SUPER SOL is a solvent-based cleaner and degreaser that helps to penetrate and lift road paint from the surface of a vehicle. The soft, clean microfiber is used to agitate the area of application. For intense applications (semi-hardened road paint), use a plastic razor blade to carefully pry off the road paint.
- Hardened road paint (using PURPLE POWER, and a clay bar). PURPLE POWER is a heavy-duty water-based cleaner and degreaser and acts as the lubricant with the clay bar. This method is best used for road paint that is extremely difficult to remove. The clay bar will be unusable for further paint decontamination, after using it in this method. You will require a pressure washer or hose and nozzle for this method.
- Black fabric wheel wells (using a black carpet dye). Paint does not easily remove from black fabric wheel wells. Once all loose paint is peeled off, rather than removing the paint from this surface, use a carpet dye to effectively hide the road paint and make it appear new. Carpet dyes are formulated to leave the areas soft and flexible, with a permanent coating that will not crack, split, peel, or rub off.
The time to remove road paint is dependent on the exterior surface area of the vehicle, the intensity and amount of road paint accumulated, and the method of removal. Once the road paint is removed, the areas of application will be left clean and road-paint free.
Safety supplies include goggles, an apron, rubber boots, and impervious gloves. View the products used tab for Auto Valet products and accessories relating to this detailing task.
AREAS OF APPLICATION
Painted Surfaces
Trim
Wheel Wells
PRODUCTS USED
PRODUCTS USED
Detailing task 11: Road Paint Removal
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Directions
METHOD 1: FRESH AND SEMI-HARDENED ROAD PAINT
Uses SUPER SOL, a microfiber towel, and a plastic razor bladeSTEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION
Complete an exterior wash using a vehicle wash soap; areas should be clean and free from tar, grease, and grime. Ensure areas are cool and dry prior to the application of SUPER SOL.STEP 2: APPLY AND AGITATE THE DEGREASER
Use a spray bottle and solvent resistant trigger sprayer nozzle. Generously spray SUPER SOL onto the areas of application. Allow SUPER SOL to dwell on the surface for no longer than one minute. Agitate with a microfiber towel. For intense applications, use a plastic razor blade to pry off the road paint.STEP 3: WIPE THE DEGREASER AND REVIEW YOUR WORK
Wipe the surface with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. If necessary, retreat the areas of application, repeating steps 1 to 3. Ensure to thoroughly dry areas prior to retreatment.METHOD 2: HARDENED ROAD PAINT
Uses PURPLE POWER, and a clay barSTEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION
Complete an exterior wash using a vehicle wash soap. Ensure areas are clean and free from tar, grease, and grime. Wet surfaces with cool water. Using a spray bottle and trigger sprayer nozzle, generously spray the areas of application with PURPLE POWER, at the dilution of 500 mL of PURPLE POWER per 1 L of water (1:2).STEP 2: APPLY THE CLAYBAR
Ensure the clay bar is free of contaminants. Use light pressure to remove the road paint. For best results, (1) keep the vehicle’s area of application lubricated with PURPLE POWER during the process, and (2) knead the clay bar periodically to ensure its surface remains clean.STEP 3: RINSE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION
Rinse the areas of application thoroughly with a high-pressure washer.STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR WORK
Review work. Complete an exterior wash using a vehicle wash soap, and dry the vehicle.METHOD 3: BLACK FABRIC WHEEL WELLS
Uses black carpet dyeSTEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION
Remove dirt, silicone, grease, and grime. Rinse the area with clean water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth before refinishing. Protect adjacent surfaces from overspray. Remove any loose or peeling road paint.STEP 2: APPLY THE CARPET DYE
Shake the carpet dye aerosol well before and during use; shake for 2 minutes, after the ball within the aerosol begins to rattle. Repeat this step for 10 seconds after each minute of use. Spray the carpet dye aerosol 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 inches) from the area of application, in a sweeping motion. Avoid runs and drips by applying several light coats. Allow at least 5 minutes between coats, if required.STEP 3: REVIEW YOUR WORK
Review work. If necessary, reapply the carpet dye to the areas of application, repeating step 2. After using the aerosol, clean-spray the valve. To clean, turn the aerosol upside down and spray until clear.Tips
- When using pressure equipment, ensure it is in safe operating condition. Never direct water or air pressure streams at yourself or others.
- Be sure to carefully read and follow all product instructions and precautions, on the product labels.
FRESH ROAD PAINT
- Always follow the dwell time listed for SUPER SOL; incorrect usage may lead to damage to the applied surfaces.
- Use a plastic razor blade alongside SUPER SOL, on painted surfaces for safe and effective removal of road paint, and to eliminate paint damage.
- SUPER SOL is flammable. Keep away from open flames, hot surfaces, or sources of ignition.
HARDENED ROAD PAINT
- The PURPLE POWER and clay bar method will make the clay bar unusable for further paint decontamination usage.
- Ensure to wet the areas of application before applying a water-based cleaner and degreaser, especially when using an undiluted product.
- For the correct product dilution ratios, check the product label for the product being used.
- Use clay bars on clean, cool paint and out of direct sunlight. Work on surfaces between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F).
BLACK FABRIC WHEEL WELLS
- If the carpet dye aerosol spray button becomes clogged, pull it off and clean it. Do not stick pins or wire into the can opening. Replace the spray button with the valve opening pointing away from you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If the carpet dye aerosol spray button becomes clogged, pull it off and clean it. Do not stick pins or wire into the can opening. Replace the spray button with the valve opening pointing away from you.
There are three main methods to effectively remove/treat road paint. Choose the best method depending on the freshness of the road paint, or where the road paint is located on the vehicle. (1) For fresh to semi-hardened road paint, use SUPER SOL, a microfiber towel, and a plastic razor blade (the razor blade is needed for semi-hardened road paint. (2) For hardened road paint, use PURPLE POWER, and a clay bar. PURPLE POWER is used as a lubricant with the clay bar. (3) For black fabric wheel wells, use a black carpet dye. Paint does not easily remove from black fabric wheel wells. Rather than removing the paint from this surface, use a carpet dye to effectively hide the road paint and make it appear new.
Road paint is typically made of thermoplastic marking paint that contains synthetic resins, beads, pigments, and other materials. It is a durable substance in extreme weather conditions and requires to be intentionally treated when on a vehicle’s surface. Vehicles that are driven on freshly painted roads are more likely to accumulate road paint on their exterior surfaces. Freshly applied road paint can be splattered onto the exterior surfaces of a vehicle, and required special treatment to be removed.