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Removing paint overspray from vehicles can be a very tricky process. Here’s a quick overview on how overspray incidents occur and the best methods for removing overspray.

How Overspray Occurs

Overspray usually occurs when contractors are painting taller buildings. Painters typically utilize spray guns to paint buildings. When contractors paint in higher up locations overspray paint easily becomes airborne. This airborne effect is generally compounded with higher than normal winds. Once overspray paint gets in the air it can travel great distances. In the largest overspray claims cars can be affected with overspray several miles away from the initial paint source.

What Does Overspray Look Like? 

Overspray is a thin mist of paint that binds to the surface of a car. You may notice tiny white dots over the car and windshield, or a rough texture when you run your hand over your car.

Overspray on Vehicles

Once overspray is airborne it will typically began landing on nearby surfaces, such as windows, rooftops, and vehicles. Most people don’t notice overspray on their buildings or windows, but it is often very noticeable on the surface of a car. Overspray binds to a cars clear coat due to the binding agents in the paint. Once overspray paint binds to a car it is very difficult to remove it. Below are some standard methods for removing overspray.

Overspray Removal

There are 3 ways to remove overspray from a vehicle:

1. Repaint
2. Sand and buff the clear coat
3. New Technology

Repainting

Repainting is by far the most costly and least efficient way to remove overspray. This would require stripping the vehicle’s paint, smoothing its surface and repainting it. It would require hours of work and would not be guaranteed to look factory new.

There are several reasons why repainting outside of a factory is a bad idea. It’s almost impossible to get a cars surface as smooth as it was in the factory, it’s even more difficult to match paint colors and lastly most detail shops don’t have the same technology and heating tools needed to insure a strong clear coat. Repainted surfaces tend to crack, rust and peal faster than original factory ones. Furthermore, repainting does not solve the problem of paint on the cars windows, plastics and mirrors, so other methods will still need to be applied.

We never recommend repainting a vehicle.

Buffing/Sanding

Most detail shops prefer to use automated tools to remove overspray. This includes high powered buffers. These tools can be effective in removing certain types of overspray, but require hours of labor and are very aggressive on vehicle clear coats. They also often miss small corners and detail areas of the cars surface. Because it can negatively impact a cars clear coat, we don’t recommend this method either.

New Technology 

Their is a third way to remove overspray, and that is the Detail Masters way. We revolutionized the way vehicles get restored through dozens of patents and unique solutions. We approach each vehicle gently, insuring that the original factory paint and clear coat remain 100% intact. We help owners avoid costly detail shop estimates and repainting. Our methods are guaranteed to be faster, safer and more affordable. To learn more about our technology contact us. 

Paint guns like this can cause paint to become airborne and contaminate vehicles

Overspray affects thousands of vehicles each year. Typically overspray incidents occur when contractors use paint guns in windy conditions, especially if they are painting at higher elevations. Aerated overspray paint goes airborne and begins to affect surfaces in the surrounding areas. In extreme cases paint can contaminate surfaces for several miles from the paint application.

Here is the typical recipe for an overspray claim:

• Windy conditions
• Use of a paint gun
• Painting above ground level
• Not using protective sheeting

After overspray gets into the air it begins to settle on surfaces like windows, cars, roofs and other structures. It can be particularly tricky when it affects vehicles. Binding agents in the paint make it difficult  to remove it from a vehicles clear coat. That is where the professionals at Detail Masters can help. Our crew works exclusively with overspray making the lifelong experts. In 2017 Detail Master’s completed jobs in over 20 cities nationwide.

Our process is simple:

• Dispatch first team member to your site (usually within 24 hours)
• Analyze and test contaminated surfaces
• Request necessary team and supplies
• Organize job site
• Remove paint
• Detail vehicles
• Complete paperwork and process claim

Contact us today to learn more about our expert crew and process.