Paint removal question

[blown motor]

I bought a sign that has some spray paint graffiti on it. How do I get it off? I tried brake cleaner, a product called Goof Off which is great for removing glue left from tape or price tags and LS11 enamel reducer. So far the Goof Off is the best but even it isn't very good.

[ToxicWolf]

Wish I had a good answer.  My concern is how to take the paint off you don't want without damaging the black sign paint. 

[Rich G.]

Try lacquer thinner. Sometimes wax or compound will take off cheap paint.

[soundcontrol]

I tried a bunch of stuff to remove primer on top of paint on my Cuda, nothing is great but Acetone worked the best.

[JS29]

  Lacquer thinner might be to harsh, I would try rubbing compound. 

[blown motor]

I never thought of rubbing compound. I'll give it a try. I don't have any lacquer thinner on hand. Here is my first mock up. When I get a few more I'll figure out the final arrangement and get them up on the wall.

[gzig5]

Pressure washer should work if you have access to one.

[Maddawg]

What is going to work best depends on what kind of paint was smeared on the sign. And unfortunately what will work best may damage the underlying surface. That said, pre-painting degreaser has been my go-to yuck removal liquid for decades, gets off a lot of things without damaging the original finish. If the degreaser does not work I would carefully try a small area with paint thinner and then lacquer thinner to see if either of those worked.

[signsgonebye]

Rubbing compound and 0000 steel wool. gently, it works!!

[anlauto]

I think paint stripper...you're not going to hurt that type of material in my opinion....

Isn't it illegal to own road signs ?

[jimynick]

Murray, it's almost always lacquer based paint and lacquer thinner is what I'd try, acetone will likely cut it faster, but it'll also likely fog it, and you don't want to "fog" it up, do you?  . Put a decent amount of thinners on a finger tip held rag and apply it in a small, circular spot and see what happens. Watch for it softening the underlaying plastic and it'd be a on and off deal were I doing it. Failing that, as mentioned, some medium to coarse rubbing compound using a wetted rag. I wouldn't use steel wool on plastic as I can pretty well guarantee you it'll dull it. You could also try one of the 3M stripe removal discs, but they're expensive and not in every store either. There, that'll keep you out of trouble while you're quarantined!   

[blown motor]

I think paint stripper...you're not going to hurt that type of material in my opinion....

Isn't it illegal to own road signs ?

Really? They're for sale constantly on Kijiji and fb marketplace. I hope our law enforcement members don't read this thread. 

[blown motor]

Some of the things I've tried do damage the finish of the sign. I'll keep at this, I have lots of time since I cant go really anywhere. Thanks for everyone's input.

[jimynick]

I think paint stripper...you're not going to hurt that type of material in my opinion....

Isn't it illegal to own road signs ?

Really? They're for sale constantly on Kijiji and fb marketplace. I hope our law enforcement members don't read this thread. 

I'm pretty sure that they've got enough on their plates at the moment, that an old broken down Mitchell farmer should be safe with his stash of "illicit" road signs.     

[Chryco Psycho]

Alan / cop at it again  Actually I believe there is some truth to that so that people don't take them & sell them as it could cause accident or death if a stop sign was removed at the wrong place for example .
Cool collection , shouldn't it be speed limit 160 ?