A building facade, fence or balcony being painted above the car park, decorating next door or fresh road markings, and suddenly the bodywork is covered in tiny specks of paint. Even a few drops spoil the look, and attacking them with abrasives or solvents risks damaging the factory finish.
The best protection is to cover the car or move it away from the work. If paint has already landed on it, WD-40 helps: it loosens the bond between the specks and the lacquered surface so they wipe off easily with a soft cloth.
What you will need
Important: Work on cool bodywork in the shade. Keep WD-40 away from brake discs and pads, tyre treads and the windscreen; wipe off any overspray at once. This method removes paint sitting on top of the clear coat but does not repair scratches.
Step 1
Wash and inspect the bodywork
First wash dust and grit off the car with water and car shampoo. Rubbing a dirty panel would leave fine scratches. Dry the surface and, in good light, find every paint speck, including the roof, mirror glass and plastic bumpers.
Step 2
Apply WD-40 to the marks
Shake the can and spray WD-40 Multi-Use lightly over the affected area so every speck is covered. For single drops near trims and seals, the straw of WD-40 Smart Straw is more precise.
If a whole bonnet or roof is affected, the WD-40 Trigger Pro makes it easier to cover a large area evenly. Do not drench the panel: a few sprays per section is plenty.
Step 3
Let the product work
Wait a few minutes. During this time WD-40 gets under the dried specks, weakens their bond with the clear coat and prepares them for removal. Do not let it dry in the sun, so treat one panel at a time.
Step 4
Wipe the paint off with a soft cloth
Gently wipe away the softened specks with a cotton rag or microfibre cloth. They usually come off with no resistance. Do not press hard or use scouring pads or scrapers.
If a drop holds on more firmly, apply again and wait a few more minutes.
Step 5
Wash the car with shampoo
Finally, wash the treated areas with water and car shampoo to remove paint residue and the WD-40 film, which would otherwise attract road dust. Rinse and dry the bodywork.
Tip: Fresh water-based paint often washes off with plain water, so if you spot the splashes the same day, start by washing the car. WD-40 works best on specks that have already dried.
What next
Once clean, apply a coat of wax to protect the paintwork before winter and road salt. WD-40 Multi-Use has other uses in the car too, from tar spots and sticker adhesive to frozen door locks.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».