Best way to remove spray paint from laptop case?

[katz]

I have a refurb in here that the previous owner has gotten spray paint over-spray on the lid/case. I know that acetone will remove paint from metal and plastic surfaces. Has anyone here used acetone on a laptop, or have another solution for the paint removal? I'm not sure if acetone will damage the laptop surface or not.

 

[roborobs computer repair]

I wonder if Rubbing Alcohol would work

 

[phaZed]

Doubt the rubbing alcohol will work, tried that before (Not on a CPU) with no success.

I think the acetone/paint remover would be the only decent way to do it but I do think/fear it would screw up the finish on the laptop. Even worse, I suppose there could be a problem with "melting" the plastic.

Might have to do a small test area to find out.

 

[Porthos]

WD 40?

 

[britechguy]

I would try a tiny spot test with acetone (or even nail polish remover - which is primarily acetone) in an inconspicuous area first.

Plastics do not tend to have any issues with acetone, but there are often finishes on top of the plastic that might.

Another option, and you'd still need to spot test, are any one of a number of citrus-based paint stripper gels. They do a bang-up job of making most paint "peel off in a sheet" when you wipe it after treatment, but you'd need to do the same sort of spot test before slathering it on.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Wouldn’t it be cheaper just to get new plastics? Im $100 an hour...just sayin

 

[Diggs]

Skin it -

https://www.decalgirl.com/skins/laptop-skins
https://www.skinit.com/device-skins/laptop-skins

...etc.....

 

[Dave 1973]

I've used Goof Off for removing decals and tape residue on laptop cases.

It will also remove most paints. It does have acetone in it, so you have to

test first....

https://goofoffproducts.com/heavy-duty-remover/

 

[Moltuae]

Skin it -

https://www.decalgirl.com/skins/laptop-skins
https://www.skinit.com/device-skins/laptop-skins

...etc.....

Or make your own rubberised skin using Plasti-Dip:

 

[Markverhyden]

I depends. What type of pain and plastic. Acetone doesn't have any effect on PE's but will on other plastics and their coatings. Even then it's almost guaranteed you'll have surface blemishes even if the paint is gone. I'd do what @Moltuae and @Diggs suggested and cover it up.

 

[Your PCMD]

I use 90% rubbing alcohol. It works well for over spray and tiny paint particles, not so much for actually painted surfaces.

 

[Diggs]

BTW - Cleaners (including paint removal) I use in order of aggressiveness is alcohol, lacquer thinner, then MEK (methyl ethyl ketone). The last two may not be friendly with plastics.

 

[Your PCMD]

BTW - Cleaners (including paint removal) I use in order of aggressiveness is alcohol, lacquer thinner, then MEK (methyl ethyl ketone). The last two may not be friendly with plastics.

Can also use...

 

[Diggs]

Can also use...

...and although I appreciate the humor above, where I worked in the past we blasted delicate things with walnut husks. Even researched using dry ice to use as a blasting media as others were doing where cleanup was an issue.

 

[britechguy]

Even researched using dry ice to use as a blasting media as others were doing where cleanup was an issue.

That's actually an incredibly clever idea. Did you ever end up using this technique and did you get the result you wanted?

 

[Sky-Knight]

Or make your own rubberised skin using Plasti-Dip:

If you're going to do all that... why not take the darned thing apart so you have just a clam shell to paint...

 

[Moltuae]

If you're going to do all that... why not take the darned thing apart so you have just a clam shell to paint...

I suppose you could, if you plan to do a more permanent/professional job, using regular paint.

Plasti-dip is a semi-permanent rubber-like coating, which can be peeled off, should you wish to remove it (or repaint it) again later. If the plan is just to quickly tart-up the lid, it's a lot less work to mask-off than strip-down.

 

[Diggs]

That's actually an incredibly clever idea. Did you ever end up using this technique and did you get the result you wanted?

We never did go that route but explored the idea as walnut was a mess. It was some time ago but even then we knew that others were using the process with good results.

 

[wavey]

You could use acetone, but be aware that acetone dissolves ABS plastics that most laptops are made of. Rub it on then wash it off.
It will probably dull the finish though.

 

[Fred Claus]

https://www.oola.com/life-at-home/2456287/how-to-easily-remove-spray-paint-from-almost-any-surface/