Did chewing gum stick to the body of your car? Whether it is on the paint or plastic you could damage or stain the exterior of the car using a normal cleaning spray. If you scratch the wrong way, you could scratch the paint. To avoid this type of problem it is important to remove it carefully and there are many specific products that you can use for this purpose safely.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Prepare the car before attempting to remove the chewing gum
It is very important to avoid rubbing or scratching with too much force, so as not to scratch the car body. You should still prepare the vehicle with a few steps.
- Remove as much chewing gum as possible before using any product.
- Move the car to a shaded area so the gum doesn't melt as you try to remove it.
Step 2. Clean the area around the gum
Wipe the area of the car body where the chewing gum is attached, trying to remove all visible dirt.
- All you need is a bucket full of hot water and dish soap. Spray a dose of detergent in 500ml of water. Wet a cloth in the bucket, then wipe it over the body to remove any visible residue from the car body.
- Avoid using products that are too abrasive. Better to use a soft cloth to scrub your car body.
- Repeat the process even after removing the chewing gum to get rid of any remaining residue. After cleaning, you may need to apply a new coat of protective wax.
- If the water is hot enough, you may be able to remove the gum with plain soapy water.
Part 2 of 3: Using Chemicals
Step 1. Try a body repair solvent
Take a cotton ball dipped in the solvent and leave it on the chewing gum for a minute to soften it. Then, take a soft cloth dipped in solvent. Remove the rubber from the body.
- You may need to repeat this a second time if you can't get it all out.
- Body shop solvents are specifically designed to be used on paint; they are therefore an excellent solution to clean the outside of the car without damaging it.
- You can try this step with denatured alcohol as well.
Step 2. Spray the rubber with a specific product to remove bugs and tar from the car body
If you wet the gum with this product, it should come off smoothly. You may need to re-wax the car after this treatment.
- The biggest advantage of tar and bug removers is that they are specifically designed not to damage the car body.
- You can apply the product to chewing gum using a soft cloth. Rub the solvent into the gum until it is completely removed.
Step 3. Purchase a specific commercial product for removing dirt from the car body
- You can use some all-purpose cleaners on your car's bodywork, following the instructions for hard surfaces.
- To use these products, apply them to the gum and wait 3-5 minutes. Afterward, tear the rubber off the bodywork. Use a clean cloth to remove any residue.
- Wear protective eyewear and solvent-resistant gloves when using chemicals.
Step 4. Purchase specific chewing gum remover products
Believe it or not, there are products designed solely for removing tires. They are often used by industrial cleaning services; therefore look for them in the shops from which these companies source their supplies.
- Spray the product on the rubber, you can remove it from the body.
- Some people use WD-40 oil to remove chewing gum, bugs and other stains from the outside of cars.
Part 3 of 3: Using Natural Products
Step 1. Try using a can of compressed air
By spraying compressed air on the rubber, you can harden it enough to be able to remove it. Often this method is very effective.
- You can find these cans in almost any hardware store.
- Usually, cans of compressed air are used to clean other objects - for example computer keyboards. Fortunately, they also work on car bodies.
Step 2. Use ice to harden the gum
This way, you may be able to remove it from the bodywork. You can do this with an ice cube.
- Get a small towel to wrap ice cubes with. Keep the compress on the gum for about five minutes. After the treatment, the chewing gum should have hardened.
- Try to gently remove the hardened gum. You may need to repeat the operation. You can also put the ice cubes in a zip lock bag. That way they won't drip too much when they start to melt.
Step 3. Use peanut butter
The oil in the butter can help you remove the rubber from the car. It is not a product designed to clean the bodywork, but some use it anyway and testify to its effectiveness.
- Spread the peanut butter on the chewing gum. Let the product rest for three minutes before removing it with a damp cloth. Peanut butter causes the gum to lose its adhesive power, which will be easier to remove.
- You can try putting baby oil on the gum to use the same principle. Some people have also tried eucalyptus oil with similar success.
Advice
- Tar and insect removers can be used to remove tree resin from the bodywork.
- Do not follow the tips for removing a chewing gum from the interior of a car if it is on the bodywork. You could ruin the paint.
Warnings
- Before using a tar and insect remover, be sure to read the instructions to use it correctly.
- Do not use a sharp object such as a knife or blade to try to scrape off the chewing gum. You would end up damaging the exterior of the car and could remove some paint parts as well.
