When a scratch emerges on your car, your first impulse is to get it fixed as soon as possible. Your car’s exterior is ruined, but more significantly, an untreated scrape can cause rust and other serious damage.
Some people wonder if you can use nail polish as a quick fix to touch up your scratch. It isn’t the best solution in the long run, but it could work. However, if you are touching up using regular car paint or spill some on your car, you’ll need to remove it, or it will ruin the look.
Now, you may wonder, does nail polish remover remove spray paint? Or is there a better way to remove it without damaging your car paint. In our guide, you can find all the ways that can work wonders before there is any significant damage.
By the end, you’ll know enough about which effective solution you can use to remove excess or spilled paint after you fix scratches. (Learn How To Reinforce A Wood Beam Using Steel)
How Can I Remove Spray Paint From Car
Spray paint cures in around 24 hours, so acting fast means it could be straightforward to remove. Perform a spot test on a tiny area of your car’s body, preferably one that’s somewhat hidden, regardless of the removal technique you decide to use. Use at your own risk, as some materials may harm your car’s paint.
Soap And Water
Soap and water could be your savior when time is short. Soap is non-abrasive; at the least, it won’t cause any damage to your car’s paint job.
This method is most effective when the spray paint is still wet or tacky. It will not work if the paint is dry.
What you need:
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth or other clean cloths
- Concentrated detergent soap
Rinse your bucket to remove abrasive particles so they won’t scratch your car’s paint.
Directions:
- Prepare Your Water: Add clean, warm water and enough soap to create suds in a bucket. Put your cloths in the mixture to soak.
- Clean the paint: Firmly rub the paint using a wet cloth while moving in small, circular motions. The optimum direction to clean the spray paint is from the edge toward the center. Rinse your cloths frequently to prevent spreading the paint to other areas on your vehicle.
- Wash your vehicle: There may still be some paint stains once you finish. Clean cloths, fresh soap, and water should be used to thoroughly wash and rinse your car to get rid of any last specks of paint from your car’s polish.
Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
You want to ensure you only use acetone-free (ethyl acetate) nail polish remover on your vehicle because if you use acetone-based nail polish remover is more potent the solvent can harm the paint.
Although milder, the chemicals can’t tell the difference between spray paint stain and vehicle paint, so use it with caution. (Read Can You Paint Enamel Over Acrylic)
What you need:
- Non-acetone nail polish remover
- Bucket
- Soap
- Water
- Clean rags or cloths
Directions:
- Put the bucket aside and mix soap and water.
- Apply nail polish remover to a clean cloth instead of applying it directly to your vehicle paint. Start with a small amount of solvent and add more as needed. Also, don’t soak the cloth with the chemical; it could drip over your car polish.
- Work from the spray paint edges toward the center and wipe the spray paint with the cloth containing the remover.
- Work in small, precise circles on the stains, and ensure you aren’t removing any of your car’s paint.
- Use soap and water to remove spray paint that may have been smeared in the removal process, as the remover returns the spray paint to a wet form.
- Change rags as needed, as these can transfer paint back to your vehicle as you wipe at the stain.
- Once the paint has been removed, give your car a thorough wash and rinse.
- This should get rid of any remaining nail polish remover or spray paint stains that could harm your car’s paint.
WD-40 Or Gas
The good news is that you can completely remove spray paint from your car using WD-40 or gas, but be careful. If you try removing spray paint from your car with gasoline or WD-40, remember these substances are flammable and should be handled with care.
What you need:
- Gasoline or WD-40
- Clean rags
- Bucket
- Soap
- Water
Directions:
- In a bucket, combine the soap and water; set aside.
- Use a cloth to apply your solvent rather than to the paint itself.
- WD-40 and gasoline are corrosive substances that can damage the molecules in spray paint. Note: If not applied swiftly and correctly, they might potentially harm the paint of the vehicle below.
- Use the same techniques from above as you would if you use acetone-free nail polish remover. Work on the stain in small, well-defined areas.
- When cloths start smearing the paint, replace them instead of picking them up.
- Wash and clean your car thoroughly using soap and water.
Automotive Rubbing Compound
Instead of using detergents or solvents to remove stubborn debris, automotive rubbing compound uses abrasive particles. As a result, it gets rid of spray paint reasonably efficiently.
However, rubbing compound needs to be sued carefully as it can easily cut through the car polish and damage the paint as you try to remove the spray paint. (Read Wood Stove Ductwork Guide)
What you need:
- Rubbing compound
- Car wax
- Clean cloth
- Soap
- Water
Directions:
Don’t apply rubbing compound to the paint directly. Add a small amount to a clean cloth, and only reapply as necessary.
Rub the paint in precise, controlled circles, and ensure you’re not scratching the clear wax coat of paint on your car. If you are, stop immediately and switch to another of the methods.
Don’t try to cover a wide area; instead, work slowly.
After removing the spray paint, rinse any leftover rubbing compound and wax the harmed area. This might help protect the paint on your car from further harm and bring back its shine.
Types of Nail Polish Remover
Two different kinds of nail polish remover exist. Acetone and non-acetone. The most used variety today is non-acetone since it is less abrasive than acetone. Both contain solvents, which disintegrate paints and other substances, such as glue, which is how they remove paint from your nails.
Acetone Nail Polish Remover
The original nail polish remover is acetone, and while it’s pretty harsh, it will completely remove nail polish. Also, even if you need to let acetone sit longer, you can use acetone to remove paints from your car.
Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Ethyl acetate or methyl ethyl ketone is in a non-acetone nail polish remover known as MEK.
Because acetone nail polish won’t work with nail extensions glue, they developed these types of remover.
Industrial applications use acetone and MEK. These include removing grease, paint, and as a paint thinner.
Can You Remove Car Paint With Nail Polish Remover?
The short answer is that you can remove car paint using acetone and nail polish removers with MEK bases.
In a few hours, acetone may completely remove all paint from a car surface. Although less effective, the non-acetone remover is also an option.
Because there is less danger of removing paint from areas you aren’t trying to, this may be a good thing.
When to Use Nail Polish Remover on Paint?
Acetone can damage or remove the paint on your car, so you don’t want to get any on it accidentally. However, in some situations, nail polish remover is a helpful remedy.
These include removing tree sap from your paint, paint transfer, and scratches.
When using nail polish remover for these purposes, exercise caution. Your paint or the clear coat that covers it can be removed.
Now that you know that nail polish remover can be used in certain circumstances let’s look at how to use it. (Learn How Much Does A Gallon Of Paint Weigh)
How to Use Nail Polish Remover To Remove Scratches
When removing scratches from your car, nail polish remover can be surprisingly successful.
- You should first wash and dry your car. Some scratches may be removed with only a thorough wash.
- Apply the nail polish remover now. While some sources advise using acetone, others recommend using non-acetone polish remover.
- Apply the polish remover with a fresh cloth.
- Gently buff until the scratch is removed.
Remove Unwanted Paint Using Polish Remover
Perhaps someone sprayed paint on your car or opened their car door and hit it.
Whatever the cause, nail polish remover works wonders at removing excess paint from your vehicle.
- First, you’ll wash and dry your car.
- Utilizing a clean rag, apply nail polish remover. Acetone polish remover might be preferable if the area is large or dense. Try a non-acetone remover for a light coat of paint.
- Wipe away any remaining polish remover after removing the paint to prevent harm to your paint.
- Wash your car, thus removing nail polish remover traces, or you could be searching for how to fix acetone on the car title.
- You might wish to use a clear coat touch-up product since it can remove your clear coat and cause long-term harm to your paint.
How To Remove Tree Sap
To remove asphalt or tree sap, use nail polish remover. You should start removing as much as possible before using the remover in either situation.
With soap and water, tree sap can be removed, especially if it is still new.
Be careful and apply a tiny amount of nail polish remover with a cotton ball to soften the sap as if you were removing the glue.
When the material is gone, rub over the affected region with a clean rag to remove traces of sap and the remover.
FAQs On Will Nail Polish Remover Remove Car Paint
Can you use nail polish on car paint?
Nail polish can clean car paint. Find nail polish that closely resembles a car scratch. Apply the polish on the scratch. Once dry, apply a clear coat. You can also use a clear coat to prevent rust and any further damage to the scratch.
How to prevent nail polish remover from damaging my paint?
Avoid letting nail polish remover dry on your car in a way to protect the paint and prevent damage. It will chew through the paint more quickly once it has dried. Once your paint has dried, it might be challenging to remove.
Can You Use Isopropyl Alcohol On Your Car?
Some people class isopropyl alcohol as acetone; however, they are very different chemicals. It’s never a good idea to use straight isopropyl alcohol on stubborn paint spots. Like acetone, alcohol may swiftly erode your car’s paint job finish.
However, it is much safer to use isopropyl alcohol to remove stains from windows or tree sap.
