Remove paint from my Fazer headlights :(

[HazzaBui]

Posting in general as I want general paint removal tips, rather than fzs specific advice.


A couple of nights ago, some little shits decided to give my bike a bit of a makeover, in the form of covering my headlights with spray paint (I've attached some images).  They also sprayed the seat, but I'm not particularly worried about that - more concerned by my non functioning light 


So! I was hoping people could offer some (preferably cheap) ways to remove this paint, that won't damage the headlight plastic/fairing.


As always, any info, pages I can read, past experience etc is all very much appreciated!


Thanks 
HazzaBui

[fazersharp]

Any polish and ebow grease, because if you wanted to paint it yourself you would first give it a light rub with sandpaper to provide a "key" otherwise it would come off so polish should do it

[mickvp]

ive used both polish, and an aggresive clay bar to remove overspray in the past, so i would imagine that either would work ok (would rather do it sooner than later though before it hardens more).

[Gnasher]

Cellulose thinners should do the trick, small area at a time, not too much, apply only to the unwanted paint and be quick leave it there just long enough just to soften the unwanted paint have some water on hand (spray bottle) to wash it away between applications.

This stuff will attack most surfaces and MAY damage the headlight lens cover so dont blame me if you leave it on too long

[purplebear7]

Hold Fire Guys ..
 
Be 100% sure you are talking about GLASS here! 
 
Lots of modern vehicles have light units that look like glass but do in fact have PLASTIC lenses!   Some chemicals might destroy them .. even light rubbing with abrasives will .. of course .. scrath plastic!  Check.
 
Stay Safe ..     Trev the Polar Bear

[AdieR]

Depends on the type of paint used, and the length of time it's been there.

The first thing I'd try is plenty of hot, soapy water along with one of those green pan scourers, which will be less abrasive than chemicals (not sure on the FZS, but the later FZ definitely uses plastic lenses).

What might also help with some of the more stubborn bits, is a thin, flexible steel rule (one which has plenty of "give", and will bend, rather than dig into the lens).

Bear in mind that if it was "ordinary" paint, some of it may crack and flake in time anyhow (plastic components need plasticised paint, to flex with the plastic when the bike moves), which standard paints can't do.

[fazersharp]

NO scourers, no thinners ------ those lights are plastic
Polish ASAP before it fully cures. Im sure the nobs didnt stand over your bike shaking the ball in the can so with luck it isnt properly mixed anyway (or would that make it harder to get off ?)

[fireblake]

I've heard toothpaste is good on plastic lenses. Very mildly abrasive.  It's supposed to be grest for cleaning car headlights thst have faded a bit. Or could just be another urban Internet myth

[Lazarus]

would a power hose not get most of it off?

[R1FSR]

WD40 will do it

[xjrnino]

I use wire wool on the car windscreen to remove flies, just check on a siny area first.
 
Cheers

[Ianboydsnr]

Tcut is ideal, used it many times to remove paint dusted onto screens, should work on headlights fine!

[Gnasher]

The reason I mentioned
 

This stuff will attack most surfaces and MAY damage the headlight lens cover so dont blame me if you leave it on too long

The lens covers are plastic and have a hard coating very similar to a helmet visor, DONT use any abrasive compounds or wire wool scotbright pads etc you WILL damage them.......................DONT say I didn't tell you!

[Lawrence]

Tcut is ideal, used it many times to remove paint dusted onto screens, should work on headlights fine!

This is what I'd start with.  Plenty of elbow grease too.

[Skippernick]

Start with Autoglym, Tcut is far more abrasive.


You can get special wipes which the highways agency use to get graffiti off road signs, they would work.


But as said before TIME is of the essence, spray paints go hard a lot quicker than paint out of a can.


Get rubbing

[HazzaBui]

Thanks for all the responses and advice!  I'll give it a go, and post the results tomorrow 

[headgonekneedown]

as rs1fr says wd40.

[HazzaBui]

Had a go at it today, and got most of the solid paint off, but it left some hard to remove crap behind.  Pictures attached - think I might need something a bit stronger than soap and water to get this off!

[mickvp]

thats a thin layr that has already hardened on, it will need polishing off with autoglym SRP/Tcut original/meguiars plastX. should come off with a couple of goes and some elbow grease, and there shouldnt be any fogging afterwards. (be extra careful on the surfaces that are painted i.e. other than the headlights!)