Noticing tiny specks of paint or a gritty feel on your vehicle’s surface? We can take care of that.
If your car feels rough when you glide your hand across the paint or you’re seeing fine dots of color on the surface, chances are you’re dealing with paint overspray. It happens when paint particles from a nearby construction project float through the air and settle on your car’s exterior.
Overspray is pretty common in a city like Chicago, especially if your car’s parked near a construction site, roadwork, or even during building maintenance when crews are painting. These airborne paint droplets can land on your windows, paint, plastic trim, and even your wheels.
But keep in mind, not all rough textures mean it’s paint overspray. Sometimes it’s caused by other contaminants like tree sap, industrial fallout, or road tar stuck on the paint. Either way, your vehicle needs proper attention to get back to feeling smooth and looking its best.
It’s tempting to fix the problem on your own, but paint overspray isn’t something you want to tackle with razors, scrubbing pads, or harsh cleaners. We’ve seen many well-meaning car owners end up scratching their paint or creating swirl marks that need even more correction afterward.
The challenge with overspray removal is that not all paint types or surfaces react the same way. For example, getting overspray off smooth glass is usually easier than removing it from plastic trim or textured panels. Even with careful techniques, some light marring can happen—so we usually recommend a polish after the removal to bring back that clean, glossy finish.
We follow a careful step-by-step process to safely remove overspray and preserve your vehicle’s finish:
Full Wash: First, we give the car a deep wash from top to bottom, including the wheels, fenders, and tires. This clears off loose dirt and preps the surface for the next steps.
Overspray Removal: With clay bars and adhesive removers designed for this kind of work, we gently lift the overspray without damaging the underlying paint or trim.
Wipe Down: Once the overspray’s gone, we wipe everything down to get rid of any product residue left behind.
Light Polish: This step isn’t mandatory, but we recommend it. A light polish helps clean up any minor haze and brings out the shine in your paint.
Tire Dressing: We finish things off with a water-based tire dressing to give the tires a clean, deep black look—no sling, just a sleek finish.
After all this, your vehicle will feel smooth to the touch and look noticeably better.
We do more than just paint overspray. We offer a full range of interior and exterior services for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Whether you’re looking to protect your paint or deep clean the inside, we’ve got the tools and experience to get it done right.
Paint Correction: Swirls, scratches, and faded spots can make any car look dull. With machine polishing, we bring clarity and shine back to your paintwork, often making it look better than it did off the lot.
Ceramic Coating: Want long-term protection from Chicago’s tough weather? Our ceramic coating creates a durable shield that repels water, dirt, and road grime while adding a glossy finish that lasts for years—not just a few months like wax.
Exterior Detail: A popular service to get done once or twice a year. This will cleanse the paint, keep it smooth, and add a sealant for gloss and protection.
Maintenance Detail: Ideal for well-kept vehicles that just need a touch-up. This service includes a quality wash and a basic interior cleaning to keep your car looking its best between deep details.
Interior Detail: If your interior needs a full reset, this is the one. We deep clean carpets, shampoo seats, scrub down plastic and leather, and get into all the hard-to-reach areas. Stains and spills don’t stand a chance.
Headlight Restoration: Cloudy headlights aren’t just a cosmetic issue—they reduce visibility and safety. Our restoration process sands and polishes headlights until they’re crystal clear again.
Odor Removal: Got a stubborn smell in the cabin? We go beyond surface cleaning and treat the source of the odor using professional tools and products to give you a more comfortable ride.
And there’s no need to deal with traffic or wait at a shop. We bring our detailing services straight to your driveway, parking garage, or workplace anywhere in the greater Chicago area. We service Chicago and surrounding areas like Glenview, Northbook, Wilmette, Winnetka and more.
Clay bars help, but they’re not always enough. Overspray that’s been sitting for a while or layered on thick may need stronger products and more advanced techniques to fully remove.
In most cases, we can remove overspray from multiple surfaces. Glass and paint usually come clean pretty easily. Trim can be more sensitive, so we take a cautious approach to avoid any fading or discoloration.
A compound might reduce the overspray a little, but it won’t fully solve the issue. Plus, it can cause heavy swirls or damage if not used properly.
Time to clean up your paint and get rid of that pesky paint overspray. You can give us a call or submit an online form and we’ll get back to you ASAP.