How to Remove Plasti Dip

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Plasti Dip is an easy way to color your car for cheap and, when it's applied correctly, is also easy to remove. Lift the edges of the Plasti Dip to peel it off in a big sheet. When the Dip is too thin to be peeled, it has to be scrubbed off with WD-40 or a dip remover. Paint thinner can also be used to soften and scrape away the Plasti Dip. Wash and buff your car to get it back into its original condition after the Plasti Dip is gone.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Peeling off Plasti Dip

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  1. Pick 1 section to work on first, such as the hood. Starting in the corner, pick at the Plasti Dip with your fingers to lift it away from the car. Avoid pulling it off the car immediately, or else you may end up with lots of annoying, small Plasti Dip strips on your vehicle! [1]
    • If the Plasti Dip was applied correctly, it will be thick enough to peel off. Thinner layers shred, so they have to be washed off with WD-40 or another product.
  2. Work along the edge, lifting the Plasti Dip without removing it. Once the edge is clear, pull the Plasti Dip down along the car’s surface. It will come off in a large sheet, which you can throw away. [2]
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  3. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any leftover Plasti Dip. Be sure to check hidden locations such as the edges of the hood, the car doors, or the car's underside. Plasti dip in these locations are thin strips that will come off right away.
  4. Pick up a bottle of isopropyl alcohol from a general store or drugstore. Pour it into a spray bottle to make applying it easier. Spray it around the edges of the Plasti Dip, trying to get it under the edges. Peel off the Plasti Dip or rub it off with a cloth. [3]
    • When removing Plasti Dip from a wheel, for example, spray around the outer edges of the rim.
    • A power washer can also be used, but make sure it’s on a low setting so it doesn’t scratch the car.
  5. To ensure that the paint isn’t damaged, wash off the isopropyl alcohol along with any remaining Plasti Dip fragments. Use a car-safe soap purchased from an auto supply store, rinse it off with a hose, and then dry the car with microfiber towels.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using WD-40

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  1. WD-40 makes quick work of Plasti Dip and can be found at any general store or auto supply shop. If it doesn’t come in a spray bottle, put it in one to make applying it easier. Spray the Plasti Dip generously to soak it. [4]
    • A commercial dip or goo dissolver may be used instead of WD-40. They can be found at most general stores.
  2. Paper towels are another option you may use. Gently move the cloth or towel in circles over the Plasti Dip to help work in the WD-40.
  3. Leave the WD-40 alone for 5 minutes, then start wiping off the Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. It should come off without much effort. Scrub gently to avoid scratching the vehicle.
  4. Place the razor over any leftover Plasti Dip. Put light pressure on the Plasti Dip to avoid scratching the surface underneath it. Slowly move the razor down and under the Plasti Dip to sweep it away.
    • A plastic razor is less likely to scratch the vehicle, so it’s better than using a metal razor or paint scraper.
  5. Thoroughly wash the car to remove the WD-40 as well as any remaining Plasti Dip. If you notice small pieces of Plasti Dip, scrub them off with a cloth dampened in warm water.
    • Make sure all the WD-40 is removed from the car to avoid causing damage. Be careful not to let it sit on sensitive parts such as the brakes.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Paint Thinner

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  1. Bring the vehicle into a well-ventilated area, such as a driveway, and put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Pour some paint thinner into a container. Get 2 or 3 paper towels completely damp.
  2. The trick is to get the paper towels as flat as possible. Treating the top side of the car is easy, but the ends require some work. Hold the towels in place as much as possible by clipping them to the frame with plastic clips.
  3. Watch the paper towels for any signs of change. Look for spots the same color as the Plasti Dip to form on the paper towel after a few minutes. When this happens, the Plasti Dip is soft enough to be removed.
  4. Carefully lift the paper towels off of the car. To speed up the removal process, lay the towels on other spots still covered in Plasti Dip. If the towels won’t stick, dampen them in more paint thinner.
  5. Go back to the spot you soaked with paint thinner earlier. Hold the drywall scraper flat against the car’s surface. Slide the scraper under the Plasti Dip to remove it. Wipe the gooey mess off the scraper with a clean paper towel or trash bag.
  6. Soak an extra paper towel in paint thinner. Use it to scrub the first area that had the paper towels over it. Scrubbing will remove any small Plasti Dip fragments and also help soften any large pieces left over.
  7. Continue soaking paper towels, scraping, and scrubbing to remove all the Plasti Dip. You may have to treat the same area a few times to completely clean away all the Plasti Dip. It’s tedious work, but it is a safe way to remove the Plasti Dip from a delicate area like the car’s body.
  8. The paint thinner should only affect the Plasti Dip, but to be sure, wash the car as soon as possible. Again, use a car-safe soap and rinse it off when you’re finished. Your car should be back to its original condition.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Peeling off Plasti Dip

      • Microfiber cloth
      • Isopropyl alcohol

      Using WD-40

      • WD-40
      • Microfiber cloths
      • Plastic razor
      • Car wash soap
      • Water

      Using Paint Thinner

      • Paint thinner
      • Paper towels
      • Drywall Scraper
      • Trash bag

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      References

      1. ↑ https://nickscarblog.com/diy/the-ultimate-plasti-dip-guide-tips-ideas-more-for-cars
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r7xvBSqhOE&t=103s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VLpmdO_TLk&t=92s
      4. ↑ https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/easiest-plasti-dip-removal.252092/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove plasti dip from your vehicle, first pick a corner on any one of the panels. Rub the corner with the pad of your thumb to gently lift it up until there's about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) you can grab onto. Grip the corner of the plasti dip and gently pull it off of your vehicle. Go slowly so you don't accidentally rip the sheet off. If the sheet does break though, don’t worry. Just repeat the process by running your thumb over the sheet where it broke to lift it back up. Then, continue to pull it off of the panel. Repeat this process for every panel on your car. For the trunk and doors, open them to make it easier to access an edge, since plasti dip usually covers the seams where they fit into the frame of your vehicle. If you're not able to peel the plasti dip off by hand, spray each panel on your vehicle with an oil lubricant. Then, use a plastic razor or old gift card to scrape the plasti dip off. If you have any thin pieces of plasti dip left over, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to buff them off. When you’re done, wash your car with car soap and water to remove any remaining residue. To learn more, including how to remove Plasti Dip using WD-40 or paint thinner, scroll down.

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