Help! Overspray on My Car
In a recent post at Spray Foam Nation's LinkedIn profile, the following question was asked:
Q. During the application of rooftop sprayfoam insulation, my car was on the ground floor and the body and windshield of the car was affected by sprayfoam dust. Please help me with a solution or idea for removing the foam dust from my painted car body and front windshield.
--Maroof Saani Chowdhury
CEO, Bonds & Shields Bangladesh Limited
A. Go to an auto body supply and ask for clay bar. You may want to buy a red and a blue one about $25 each. You will need to mix a solution of about 10 drops of baby shampoo to one quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray liberally and rub whole car down. The foam will stick to the clay and leave the surface clean. Rotate and fold clay regularly to expose new clay once it's clogged or not removing any more foam. You may have to pay for a detail afterward if scratches are still showing. Red bars are more aggressive than blue but work faster. Bring lots of elbow grease.
--Laszlo Keszthelyi
Project Manager at Monster Coatings Inc.
A. I've been where you are. While there aren't many "good" options, the clay block is the best. Several things to consider first. If your paint has been cared for prior to this over spray, your job will be a bit easier. Also, the sun is very effective at making the job a bit easier if you can wait just a bit before the clay block rub down. U.V. tends to break down the material (do the windshield right away, because it affects your vision in the rain).
Before you use the clay block, you will want to be sure you car has been washed really well. Using a heavy duty detergent and grime remover. Be sure it is rinsed thoroughly. I prefer using a clear spray liquid wax and cleaner with the clay block, rather than other wetting items. This works well on paints, metal and glass. Plastics are a bit more challenging. Depending on how bad the overspray is on your plastic parts; you may want to invest in a product used to "renew" milky headlight lenses, once you've removed the foam.
--Dave Thacker
Owner, The Insulation Station
A. Clay bar and lots of elbow grease!
--Samuel R Hostetler
President/Owner, Five Star Roofing LLC and Chief Strategist, Choice Roof Contractor Group.