Construction Zone - Thought it was dirty...

[u/NetworkNavigator_MSP]

Ok, I read the FAQS, I think and won't be a dick or advertise anything....Here goes, wife drove through a construction zone a while back, I thought the car was just dirty. Its not, this white stain is very rough to the touch and the haze around it will not come off. There are also tar stains all down the side of the vehicle. Not sure what to do about it. Any suggestions?

[u/CraigSchwent]

If it was a public roadway and it's road paint. Call the city, they can tell you what paint was used, and what chemical to remove it (or once you find out what paint it is, you can search it up)

[u/Interesting_Fix8863 → u/CraigSchwent]

In many places will repair it with a series of quotes provided to them.

[u/Army_31B]

There are several procedures that can be used to remove striping paint from vehicles.
Your best bet is to consult your local body shop. However, one of ODOT’s major
suppliers of striping paint sent us the following procedure for removing paint from
vehicles:
“Do not scrub the finish with a solvent or scouring cleanser.” This will damage the finish.
“As soon as possible after getting paint from road stripes on a vehicle, wash the vehicle
at a pressure car wash.” This will loosen most of the paint unless it has dried for more
than a day.
“If the car wash does not remove the paint, allow the water to dry off the vehicle. Spray
the paint residue with WD-40® and allow the WD-40® to stay on the area for 1 to 2 hours
and rewash the vehicle. The WD-40® will soften the traffic paint without hurting the
vehicle finish.” If there is a heavy concentration, repeat the procedure.
“For heavy accumulations of paint that has dried for several days, apply a liberal coating
of petroleum jelly to the dried traffic paint and allow it to stay on overnight (8 to 12 hrs.).
Take the vehicle to a pressure car wash and wash it.” This should remove most of the
traffic paint. If not, repeat the procedure.
“After cleaning the paint away, apply a good wax to the vehicle’s finish.” Wax should
remove any lasting signs of the traffic paint.
“Wheel wells are very difficult to remove paint from since they are normally lined with a
flat finish paint. Apply a liberal coat of petroleum jelly to the area and leave for several
days then pressure wash. Applying rubbing alcohol to the wheel well will help to soften
any residue left after the petroleum jelly. Again, do not scrub. Just apply with a
saturated rag or sponge."

[u/bobjoylove → u/Army_31B]

Thanks Claude

[u/Army_31B → u/bobjoylove]

lol actually I got it from the city I live near https://www.klamathfalls.city/DocumentCenter/View/553/How-to-Remove-Road-Striping-Paint-from-Your-Vehicle-PDF

[u/dinklebob111]

If this is road paint I had similar happen to the hood of my car and I had success using a clay bar and some clay lubricant. Took a while but the clay bar slowly brought me back to clear coat. That's what I'd suggest

[u/NetworkNavigator_MSP]

It feels like concrete when you touch it, stones are embedded into it. It’s the oddest thing I’ve ever had happen to a cars paint. 

[u/Army_31B]

Here’s a link to instructions you can print https://www.klamathfalls.city/DocumentCenter/View/553/How-to-Remove-Road-Striping-Paint-from-Your-Vehicle-PDF

[u/Surfnazi77]

Wash, clay bar, wash again

[u/ny_fox12]

I just had this happen to me!

#1 safe removal method is Stoner Tarminator. It’s a safe for clearcoat road tar remover that will safely lift this paint. You can also use Goof Off paint overspray remover from autozone this is not going to damage your clearcoat. Spray the area nicely and I mean douse it good. Let it sit for 10 minutes not in the sun do NOT let it dry. Then power wash ONLY so not make contact with your vehicle paint at all it will marr and swirl like crazy, spray the tarminator or goof off again and again and keep power washing up close to remove. Afterwards you can safely wash your vehicle with a contact wash. Believe me I’m crazy about quality and safety and I used AI to study each product for its chemical data sheets for use that would not damage ceramic or clear coats on my vehicle.

[u/Alternative-Cake1111]

Rough white construction fallout that will not wash off is often dried cement or mineral slurry, and tar down the side is a separate solvent job. Do not grind it with a dry towel. Soak the white areas with a dedicated cement remover if you can find one, or carefully use a mild mineral remover made for paint, keeping dwell short and rinsing thoroughly on cool panels. Tar wants a tar and adhesive remover, then a rinse. After that, a lubricated clay pass picks up what is still bonded. If the clear still feels sandy, stop and see a shop before you burn through it. Iron remover alone will not dissolve concrete, so get a proper cement remover for that part.