How do I get rid of oil stains that have just spilt onto a car's paintjob?

Question

I was adding oil to my car and ended up spilling a decent amount of oil on my sisters car [don't ask how]. Completely forgetting that I'm suppose to put kitty litter on oil stains, I ended up rubbing it all onto the top of the trunk. Thankfully the car is black so it doesn't show up well, but it is still pretty easy to see when you get close. How can I remove the oil? Do I need to use the litter? Any help would be appreciated ASAP!

Answer 1

wipe off as much as you can, you can use lacquer thinner, paint thinner to also dilute it to remove it better. after wards just wax up the area as the lacquer thinner will remove the wax in that area. neither of these products will hurt the finish.

BUT, since you mentioned black, and some black and red cars are still painted the old way, single stage, before rubbing any chemical on it, rub an area with your finger or a towel hard, if it turns black, you have single stage paint. Meaning soap, water, then wax to remove any oil residue.

Otherwise dump the lacquer on it, wipe it off, smear some wax around and it will be good as new. I use these chemicals on cars from Ford to Ferrari daily.

Don't listen to anyone who says to use gasoline or brake cleaner spray on it. As both have chemicals and agents that interact and break down modern paints of today. Items like that were safe for 80's paint, not todays. Even transmission fluid will each through todays paint in under 4 hours.

Answer 2

I was going to answer exactly the same as Micheal B. However, he got to it first. I gave him a "Thumb's Up," though. The reason why? If you think about it, what does dish doap advertise that it does? "Cuts through tough grease!" Grease and oil (of all types) are a petroleum base, and dish soap will break it down to where it will easily remove it. I'm a mechanic and as such, my hands get very greasy on a daily basis. I use dish soap to clean my hands and I come home clean. Works like a charm!

Answer 3

Not on painted surfaces you don't...get a soft rag, soak it in warm water, work some dish washing liguid into the rag, and lightly buff the oil off...then wipe the area with just another damp cloth and wipe dry with a third rag...soft...

Answer 4

Starting fluid is best cleaner I don't know if anything could take out a stain ..

I had generator blow off oil cap and splatter my travel trailor last year and it took it right off about 6 cans

Answer 5

mix hot water,about a gallon, and add a good mixture of dawn dish soap to the mix... poor over oiled area, dawn works good on grease and oil.. Poor on oil and let set a while and rinse or scrub with a soft rag if necessary and wash off with hot clean water....

Answer 6

Try Simple Green Extreme Clean. It is a heavy-duty cleaner and DEGREASER. I buy it at Sam's Club, but I'm sure you can find it other places too. It works very well! I would try a small area first, if it works out, your good to go. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Gentle car wash detergent, then some car wax.