Removing overspray from toolbox

[Shoreline_]

I picked up a new to me used toolbox from marketplace. It has zero dents, really dirty slides, and needs new liners. The problem with the paint is it came from what seems like an autobody shop so there is tons of overspray on it. Should I use like a cutting compound to remove it? I think acetone would damage the paint.

If worse comes to worse I can always repaint it. Just red is an expensive color.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would try acetone or thinners in an inconspicuous place & see what you get

 

[PCustoms]

I picked up a new to me used toolbox from marketplace. It has zero dents, really dirty slides, and needs new liners. The problem with the paint is it came from what seems like an autobody shop so there is tons of overspray on it. Should I use like a cutting compound to remove it? I think acetone would damage the paint.

If worse comes to worse I can always repaint it. Just red is an expensive color.

Picture?

Odds are cured paint is stuck...

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Acetone ( modern brake cleaner) seems to work well/very well on paint that is not fully cured. If the paint is some exotic hardener, etc.... good luck.

 

[rust in the eye]

Acetone, Brakleen will at the very least dull and streak the finish.
If you are lucky the box was dusty when the paint settled on it and clay bar treatment will get it off.

 

[ohhimark]

+1 on clay bar

 

[Shoreline_]

Picture?

Odds are cured paint is stuck...

I can get some tomorrow.

 

[RTM]

I always try mechanical removal before chemical. If you can thin the droplets down, there is less for the chemical to do. A plastic razor or scraper blade, tried in a remote area, can test if you will pop the original paint trying it.

 

[rust in the eye]

Goo Gone is helpful too but dulls the finish so expect to polish afterwards.

 

[theoldwizard1]

 

[bamawildcat]

That's a tough one. Autobody paint is catalyzed. Something like spraypaint is solvent based and would come off easily with solvent or clay. Like Rust in the Eye said, hopefully there was a layer of dust before the paint.

 

[rust in the eye]

That's ^^ what I meant, not Goo Gone.
I removed some paint spatter from an old toolbox out of cabinet shop today with this. It wasn't latex but ostensibly whatever they use to paint kitchen cabinets these days. It took it off but not without way more elbow grease than usually required for latex.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd lightly clean it with a damp cloth and good detergent first... remove the majority of it you can with the least aggressive method.

Probably move to clay bar with a few drops of dish detergent in the water.

 

[lolaetype]

I was also going to suggest a clay bar. I've had luck removing rattle can over spray using mineral spirits; it usually won't hurt something like the factory finish on a tool box.