Acetone...will it take the clearcoat and/or paint off a car? *Update* WD-40 worked like a charm..

[Insane3D]

I had the rear hatchback window on my Mustang broken a few months back when someone broke into my car. I just got it replaced yesterday finally, but I have a whole bunch of nasty adhesive left over from the tape I used to make a plastic window. It seems to come off with ordinary bug and tar remover, but very very slowly. I have some acetone, and I'm sure it will work better, but I am thinking it will take the paint and/or the clear coat off as well. Anyone have any experience with body work?

*Update*

WD-40 did the trick.

 

I don't think it's worth the risk to try it. Just use some elbow grease.

 

[Alchemist99]

I would vote it would remove clearcoat as it a solvent.

 

[flot]

Acetone eats through car paint. Don't do it.

Try WD-40

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: flot
Acetone eats through car paint. Don't do it.

Try WD-40

its worth taking the time not to screw up the paint. soak a rag with some wd-40 and lay it over the area for several minutes once its soaked in a tad, may help a little, but dont rush it.

 

[Nocturnal]

Just use Goo Gone. You can get it at K-Mart. That stuff does wonders for all that left over goo.

 

[Soybomb]

It won't come sloughing off, but acetone does most definatley etch and strip paint, as would something like MEKP

 

[Eli]

Yes, it will eat at it. Acetone is pretty heavy duty stuff..

 

[selene]

yeap goo gunk , its orange peel based, I tried it on my car already.. even on the leather. but test a small portion first.. usually use a swab, dab it a little.. dont use cotton, use the sponge type or just use a sponge.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks guys... I figured acetone would be too heavy duty. I ended up using WD-40 as some here suggested, and it worked like a charm. Thanks for the help..

 

[waitman]

I use wd-40 a lot for adhesive goo, have used baby oil/mineral oil also. just let it sit a couple minutes it will come off pretty easily.

 

[Growltiger]

I also vote for Goo Gone or De-Solv-It. They are both similar. I had to use the latter to remove some candle wax that was spilled everywhere when a candle fell over and it worked like a charm. It's worked great on getting adhesive stuff off, too.

Read item #1 from the FAQ

 

[gsarratori]

I just used straight acetone on my car and it worked perfectly, with no damage to my car. I ran over latex paint that spilled out of a contractor's car about a year ago. Why I waited I don't know. FYI - my car is a 2005 Chevy Equinox LT

I tried WD-40 and and Goo Gone but neither did anything. Mineral spirits did nothing. The only thing that worked before I tried acetone was gasoline. So I decided to try nail polish remover containing acetone - and bingo. Because I had so much of my car to handle I bought a quart and it worked great. I immediately went to car wash and got the deluxe wash and the car looks great.

Also note, I rubbed as hard as I needed o get the paint off. No scratches or swirls. Car looks wonderful again.

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[Rakehellion]

Use gasoline.