Paint speckles on my dash?

[mr_miles]

according to my better half who cleaned the interior and glass in my new yaris for me today while I'm here at work, the little speckles that i thought to be some sort of cleaning compound are actually paint. they're on the stereo faceplate, and the dash in front of the speedo. What would be a good way to remove it without harming the dash and everything else? I don't want there to be fading on anything from chemicals so I'm at a loss as to a good product to use.

[Klink10]

To be more clear, are the specs on painted plastic parts?

[mr_miles]

short of the plastic around the HVAC control knobs, its the black plastic for the storage bins, and directly in front of the speedometer on the flat surface. it's also on the hazard button and passenger air bag indicator, and radio faceplate.

it looks like someone was sitting in the passenger seat and misted the dash with paint. or sneezed paint. I'm going to try a sponge with hot water, and see if that helps lift it. any paint in the silver painted plastics i can scrape off, i imagine.

I will nab a picture tomorrow when it's light out,my garage has pretty dismal lighting. :[

I was thinking of using mineral spirits, but i just fear discoloration. maybe a toothbrush and some sort of cleaning stuff....

[Klink10]

Thanks for the response. From what you say then it's on all plastic pieces. As a detailer I use mineral spirits on my plastic pieces to remove coating residue prior to applying a new coating with no ill effects. Basically the parts were treated with product A and I didn't like the look so they were removed and cleaned with an APC then wiped down with MS and a new product B was applied. Discoloration or surface texture will change with aggresive methods (tooth brush etc). I just use a detailers horse hair brush for cleaning with the APC, rinsed well and dryed. Then I use a 4x4 gauze pad dipped in mineral spirits to wipe and insure the piece is clear of oils (fingerprint smudges) allowed to air dry after a dry wipe then apply my UV coating. Turns out real nice (this was just done within the week). Bottom line....on the hard plastic areas I wouldn't hesitate to use a gentle application of MS followed by a protective UV coating. Hope this helps.

I need to add that the MS brand used was and is Klean Strip and it comes in a qt size can available at my area Home Depot. Not available at my Lowes. There have been reported issues with the use of other MS products. The can is brown and blue in color. If you can find Klean Strip Prep All that would work also. It's what i use to wipe body panels prior to machine polishing.

Man I keep editing to add stuff. You got to remember that if your stuff was treated with something for UV protection, the wipe with MS will take that something off so it will look like discoloration. I advise doing the whole piece, stripping it clean. Then apply your new UV protection. PM me for my UV protection choice.

[JonS]

Is there a paint that matches the factory matte dark gray/black of the dash that wouldn't fade out quickly?

[Klink10]

All paints will fade over time. Not sure I would paint my dash unless I knew for sure that it was a keeper, painted to suit you may not suit someone else if you wanted to trade or sell. There are folks that are painting trim pieces.

To answer your question though.....not that i know of. If you find one let me know as I have a small scratch to hide.

[mr_miles]

Ah cool, thank you. I'll give that a shot! I have goo gone also, was going to try that very lightly today. being that this is my first "new car" I'm just trying to keep her as pretty as possible. I've been reading up on how to really detail a car lately too. I can clean and detail pretty well, but now i want to do it as close to professional as I can. study study study.

[MickZEL]

Are you sure that this is a speck of paint?
I'm from the windshield heater emitted white grains.
I think it is aluminum oxide evaporator. Washed off with the usual damp cloth.

[mr_miles]

Spent all day at the DMV, and about to leave for work here in a couple so I wont be able to check anything until tomorrow morn'. I'll be sure to write about it, maybe I'll be able to figure out what it was.

[mr_miles]

got called into work early again as i was just sitting down to start cleaning it up, go figure. i did manage to nab some photo's, though.

[Klink10]

It's beyond me how someone could sneeze that.

[mr_miles]

the bad news is the goo gone didn't even dent it, so mineral spirits it is! Guess I'll pick some up tomorrow evening on my way home from work. the good news is my car has that fresh orangy scent now.

[Klink10]

Just remember your technique. Harsh rubbing or harsh material will change the texture of the plastic. I would do a light rub with MS on a microfiber. Let the MS do the work. It will dry on its own even after a soft wipe off that misses.

[mr_miles]

yep :D that was my main reason for trying to not use MS, i didn't want to risk taking any of the dash's coloring away. Done that far to many times at work and then had to go back and touch up paint the areas...

[Klink10]

Originally Posted by mr_miles

yep :D that was my main reason for trying to not use MS, i didn't want to risk taking any of the dash's coloring away. Done that far to many times at work and then had to go back and touch up paint the areas...

The MS won't hurt it. I just had mine apart, cleaned with MS and then re-treated with UV protection.

[mr_miles]

Good enough for me! going to go pick some up as soon as the lady gets home and scrub the Sh!t(gently, with no pressure) out of it, we'll call it a date.

[Klink10]

Originally Posted by mr_miles

Good enough for me! going to go pick some up as soon as the lady gets home and scrub the Sh!t(gently, with no pressure) out of it, we'll call it a date.

I speak only for the type I use as mentioned in previous posts.

[mr_miles]

so far no luck. It's smeared it around some color, but hasn't taken off many(if at all) speckles. gotta keep at it. this is one heck of a type of paint.