removing chewing gum from the painted surface of the car | FerrariChat

removing chewing gum from the painted surface of the car

Discussion in 'Detailing & Showroom' started by ebobh15, Mar 8, 2014.

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  1. ebobh15

    ebobh15 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 18, 2012
    3,746
    Pulling the car into the garage after a drive, I noticed that the left front fender above and behind the wheel well, there was a pretty good amount of fresh chewing gum spun onto the paint. Looks like I might have caught it just right, and it spun off the edge of the wheel into a cotton candy spray of goop onto the paint (about a 6"x8" area with thin strands of gum).

    I have the car in the garage cooling down right now, but have been searching FChat, Autogeek and ask.com with no success. Does regular bug and tar remover work for chewing gum? I'm in SoCal, so freezing the gum and hoping to peel it off isn't a good option. Looking for something that ideally takes off the gum, and then I can spray detail over the area to keep the shine. Thanks
     
  2. gf1red

    gf1red Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2006
    413
    Staten Island N.Y.
    Full Name:
    Mike G.
  3. ebobh15

    ebobh15 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 18, 2012
    3,746
    Thanks- I saw this, but didn't know if it would strip away my clearcoat or something like that. I'm known for making dubious decisions at times (like when I accidentally sprayed tire dressing on the surface thinking it was my quick detailer) so I wanted to ask.
     
  4. wang

    wang Formula 3

    Feb 23, 2004
    1,998
    Brunei
    Full Name:
    H. Wang
    Try olive oil. Work it out slowly. Should work.
     
  5. JG333SP

    JG333SP Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2010
    1,871
    N Shore, MA
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    Jim G
    I think I've heard wd40 works for this but check around before trying it
     
  6. ebobh15

    ebobh15 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 18, 2012
    3,746
    Thanks- I wound up putting ice cubes in a plastic bag along with cold water, sealing it, and then putting it over the gummy areas. It cooled it enough for me to get out a good deal of it, and then I used Meguiar's wash/wax mixed into the water bag, and then dabbing it & rubbing very lightly to dislodge the rest.

    I think olive oil or baby oil on col sheet metal would also work. I washed the car and quik-waxed it and it looks like new. I did go get some Turtle Wax bug and tar remover for the future, and will go down to Home Depot to see if Goof Off might work better for gum.

    If I tried to run over that piece of gum a hundred times, I'd never get it right on the edge of my tire & wheel to spin it up like it was.
     
  7. JG333SP

    JG333SP Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2010
    1,871
    N Shore, MA
    Full Name:
    Jim G
    I have a small area on the back of my car that was discolored by a piece of duct tape that was hanging on the edge of a car cover I use. It's faded over about a year but I tried everything to get it off
     
  8. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
    10,814
    Cardiff, UK
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    Steven Robertson
    Shoe wax/polish dissolves chewing gum.
     
  9. TF142

    TF142 Karting

    Jul 7, 2004
    87
    Universal City, TX
    Full Name:
    Tyler F
    Have you tried to buff it/Polish it with a DA? Have any pictures?
     
  10. rardoin

    rardoin Karting

    Feb 11, 2014
    68
    Lafayette Louisiana
    Full Name:
    R Ardoin
    3M adhesive remover.
     
  11. JG333SP

    JG333SP Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2010
    1,871
    N Shore, MA
    Full Name:
    Jim G
    I did try to buff it out but it's a cheap respray (part of how I got a crazy deal on the car yrs ago) and after a few moments I let it go b/c I'm going to paint the car the right way eventually. I'm getting it out of this warehouse I keep it in in the next few weeks and will post some pics of the spot

    I've heard of duct tape marring paint on other cars so keep it away-especially if your car doesn't have the best paint on it!
     
  12. TF142

    TF142 Karting

    Jul 7, 2004
    87
    Universal City, TX
    Full Name:
    Tyler F
    Adhesives can certainly wreck a paint job, that's for sure. I am definitely interested in seeing the spot that the duct tape caused to discolor.

    Best of luck with the respray! It's always nice to start over with a fresh coat of paint.
     
  13. JG333SP

    JG333SP Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2010
    1,871
    N Shore, MA
    Full Name:
    Jim G
    Thanks man! I would love to paint it myself the right way-haven't done it in yrs but would love my kids to get involved with wet sanding, etc. it's easy-just time consuming but it looks amazing when done. Of course I've said that the last how many summers?!
     

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