Insulating foam stuck to hood

[dhbass]

Hi, we bought a brand new car last month, and a couple of weeks ago my fiance was driving past a renovation site and some expanding insulation foam splattered across the hood as she was driving by. It was nice and hot out, so that stuff is COOKED on there.

I took the bulk of it off with soap and elbow grease, but there's still quite a residue. I've tried wd 40 and some rona thinner, but I'm reluctant to try anything more aggressive for fear of damaging the paint. I've also tried rubbing compound, and it won't even touch it. I'm considering waiting for a few more weeks to see if the sun's UV rays will break it down. If that doesn't work, then I'm going to have to try and wet sand and polish it.

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to attack it chemically without damaging the paint?

Thanks!

[kalniel]

I think that anything that can attack it chemically is also used as a paint stripper.. so no.

[dhbass]

I agree, thanks for the reply.

[oolon]

Did you polish by hand? After you have given it some time to denature in light, try an electric polisher, you could use T-Cut to give it a bit of an edge. Any abrasive paper will go though to the undercoat instantly. I also think repeated small attacks with time for nature to have an effect is better. However expanding foam is nasty as it is stickly when soft, so it may be bonded with the paint, so it may be a limited respray job.

[alpha channel]

Claybar is generally used to get shot of the rough residue on a cars paint job, I'd try and take it to a professional valeting service, they should be able to figure something out (plus if they screw things up you should be able to claim on their insurance).

[dhbass]

Thanks for the responses. I used to work at a body shop and still have access to it. If I were to wet sand it with 1200 grit paper, then power polish it with a 2000 grit compound I'd be sure to get the foam off, but there's always the risk of damaging what's beneath it.

So far I've only used rubbing and polishing compounds by hand as I haven't had time to get to the shop for the power tools.

I like the idea of letting the sun have at it and taking it off bit by bit as it weakens.

Thanks again for the responses