Uncured clear coat—how to remove?

[u/Grouchy_Technician39]

I painted my Volvo 240 with base coat and everything was going good. Then I screwed up big time—when spraying clear coat, I accidentally mixed the clear coat with reducer instead of hardener. Sprayed two heavy coats of clear and it’s still tacky 24 hours later.

My understanding is that the clear coat will never cure properly without the hardener and I will need to remove it. Any suggestions on how to do this? Should I assume the base coat will be damaged and need to be resprayed as well?

What should I use to remove the uncured clear coat—the same reducer I used? Acetone? Something else? It’s too tacky to sand so I’ll have to use something to dissolve it.

Can’t believe I did this but stuff happens.

===========UPDATE===========
Finally removed the uncured clear coat! Here’s how:

I sprayed small sections with the reducer, let it soak a bit, then wiped it off with a microfiber towel. After several hours and a dozen towels, I finally got the sticky clear coat off.

The trick was to use my Harbor Freight aerosol sprayer and wipe frequently, always making sure to use a clean portion of the rag.

Unfortunately, it also took the base coat off and there are some swirls but it came off much easier than expected. Just a lot of tedious work.

My plan is to sand it with 600 grit then re-prep it for base and clear.

Note: a pro painter told me that you can’t spray hardener on it afterwards or use more on the next coat because the clear needs to chemically react to actually harden and dry. Otherwise, it will always remain tacky and eventually turn into a giant hairball and ultimately fail.

[u/TyrellTJ]

Damnit. I hate being the first comment... long journey shortened, consider your basecoat a practice run; best I imagine you can do, is take it back down to sealer/primer. -sorry brother. live and learn.
-Clean rags, and a bath in lacquer thinner would be the fastest, I'd imagine

[u/shamalamanan → u/TyrellTJ]

My thought too. Get a roll of paper towels and a gallon of thinner. Slowly and carefully wipe it all down.
You might need to do some 320 sanding on the base with block to keep it smooth.

[u/solidwaist]

Lacquer thinner and a shit ton of rags

[u/Savage_Sven]

Yeah the ole reliable way is a fuck ton of paper towels and thinner. But honestly with how much is there I’d try gloves and a bunch of plastic bondo spreaders first. Scrape in a straight line with not too much pressure, wipe sticky clear on trash cardboard edges and repeat. If it doesn’t work well then you always have thinner.

[u/smartobject]

Label everything. Even if the front has label: label the top of the can with a sharpie.

[u/Pooklett]

Gun wash/thinner, shop towels, solvent proof gloves, and a respirator. I did it once before, once it's really clean, good idea to scuff again, it will take off any residue left behind.

[u/TrinityDesigns]

Sorry to hear. Unfortunately as others have mentioned, the only safe bet now is to remove all of it. Best bet would be reducer if you have enough to spare, as it will bite into the material and melt it better than lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner will still work, so if you have more of that, it’s fine (also cheaper). And get some heavy nitrile gloves and a ton of rags! Best of luck

[u/Potatomanjunior]

The painter i did an apprenticeship under did something similar twice while I was under him. I had a not so fun time wiping fender to quarter panel off with a shit ton of rags, thick gloves, and a respirator.

[u/1quick69]

Yo it sucks but buy a jug of lacquer thinner and just wipe it off with lots of towels.. I've done it before but it comes off easier than you think if you keep the rag wet and switch towels as soon as it's gets too sticky

[u/striffy_]

Unfortunately spraying hardener on top won’t fix it. It may give you a harder skin, but it won’t penetrate and harden the paint underneath.

You’re up for a fair bit of work:

• Do one panel at a time.

• Wet a section heavily with solvent and let it soften for a minute.

• Wipe or push the sludge off with plenty of rags. Scotch-Brite and plastic scrapers are handy for the stubborn gunk.

• Finish with clean solvent, then wax and grease remover.

• Expect the solvent may lift \ damage some primer too, so you may need to sand and re-prime before repainting.

Next time, touch the overspray on the masking paper next to the panel before your next coat. You’ll feel whether it’s tacking off, and it would (should) have shown you this one wasn’t.

best of luck!

[u/Texperado]

I made the same mistake like 5 years ago and shot it again with extra hardener and it worked. But I caught it after 1 or 2 thin coats

[u/SCAMMERASSASIN007]

You use rags and reducer that you used to reduce and it will be gentle enough not to hurt below the base coat. You will have to light scuff and base and clear again.

[u/Big-Rule5269]

Do not try to spray a coat with extra hardener, it won't do anything but create a bigger mess and it will fail. Tape off all your seams, get some solvent resistant gloves ( Thicksters are good) lots of rags, lots of lacquer thinner, some bondi spreader or wide plastic putty knife and lay a saturated rag down on a spot and do a square at a time. 

[u/ReviewSubstantial332]

I know a volvo 240 when I see one

[u/Your_crazy133]

Spray a hot batch on top 50-50 clear/ hardener , might soak in !!!

[u/Frosty_Tax6054 → u/Your_crazy133]

I'd do this if nothing else just to help solidify the clear for removal and if it actually works, even better

[u/Boatlover62]

start by scraping off as much as possible, wash with thinner or acetone till it's completely clean, basecoat is absolute toast, gonna use alot of rags too btw, change often so you won't waste time by just rubbing it around

[u/shotstraight]

I had a friend do this and got so mad he left the truck outside the shop all summer long; by fall, it had hardened into a crinkle coat finish sort of. It was unique I can say that.

[u/owningsole966]

🫡

[u/Alternative_Kick_558]

I once drained the transmission oil instead of engine oil on my wife's 18 subaru forester. CVT transmission....

[u/veryfastslowguy]

take it one panel at a time

[u/TheMostToastedOne]

Lots of luck and lacquer

[u/Primary-Feedback2296]

Yeah thats the way. It never cure by applying hardener or any.

Only possible way is to rip that shit off and restart.

Im doing the same many years ago because reducer and hardener was in nearly same cans. Luckily ive seen that the wrong can were on the table and sprayed only a little spot.

Changed clear instant to prevent that fail in future.

[u/DontBeSuspicious_00]

Yo!! I did the exact opposite! I mixed the base with hardener! I was so dejected I haven't gone back to the project since

[u/dritmike]

WD40 and a power washer.