HELP!!!! Splashed by a cement truck!!!

[vkirkend]

I was enroute to a meeting in Arlington, VA yesterday and had the misfortune to get splashed by a cement truck in morning traffic. I tried to get the stuff off but some is being stuborn. Any suggestions?????
:argue:

[Professor]

That's bad news. First, know that you can not remove it by mechanical means. Concrete is nothing more than a mixture of water, sand, aggregate (natural rock, like granite or limestone) and cement. The only thing that I know of that is hard on cement is acid. You might start with some mild acids (like vinegar), but you will have to soak it thoroughly to achieve the desired results. You might find that a soaked sponge that is allowed to lay one the cement will do the trick. Keep in mind that you will want to use a high pressure stream to rinse away the cement after it has soaked in the vinegar. However, under no circumstances should you use a wiping motion or scrubbing method to remove the cement. That would be equivalent to sanding the paint with a very very coarse grit paper. It will probably take several applications dependent on the nature of the splatter. Vinegar may work for individual splatter, but will likely not be very effective at all if you have been splattered with a slurry or a concrete with plasticized additives and it has cured very long. There are some aggressive chemicals (usually acids with lower pH's) that can break the cementitious bonds of concrete, but you need to use them with the utmost caution (both for your car and your own physical safety). For example, hydrochloric acid can be very effective at breaking down cement ... what it does to your paint depends on the health of the paint (e.g., the last wax). However, hydrochloric acid (also called muriatic acid) will also give you a very nasty chemical burn if you get it on your skin ... and it is deadly when mixed with a multitude of chemicals (gives off mustard gas with very simple additives).

In summary. Start with vinegar (be patient) and step up to muriatic acid as a last resort. Be sure to review the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) with muriatic acid so you know the proper way to handle the chemical.

[larryo340]

By chance did you get the name on the truck?

[High-C]

Did you happen to get the name of the concrete company etc? A buddy of mine had a concrete company get his car messed up while making a parking lot repair where he was parked... They ended up being quite cooperative and helped get his issues solved... just a thought.

[magindat]

Also, on the acid idea. Blue Toilet bowl cleaner, the old school stuff, not this new crap with bleach or other junk, is very acidic and clings well. I have used it to remove sprinkler stains from cars. Might wanna test a hidden area first. I know that stuff eats tile grout. Should eat concrete, too.

[Bluerauder]

I was enroute to a meeting in Arlington, VA yesterday and had the misfortune to get splashed by a cement truck in morning traffic. I tried to get the stuff off but some is being stuborn. Any suggestions?????
:argue:
Try this ......

Cement and plaster are alkaline compounds. They are easily removed from clothes, woodwork, your body and cars using distilled white vinegar (a mild acid). Simply soak a sponge with the vinegar and lay it on the cement spots for a few seconds. This will loosen the cement so it can be hosed away. It may take a couple applications to remove the cement from the car. Whatever you do, don't try to wipe the cement off with the sponge, as this will scratch the paint.

[vkirkend]

No, I was on an I-395 entrance ramp near the capital and needless to say there was not a lot of room to move much less get stop and get a name and number. I also did not want to be late for the meeting I was heading to. I thought that it would come off easily. My mistake....

[Bradley G]

I must have hit a reflector , that was just glued down to the street.
I got spray from the epoxy adhesive driving over one that was apparently not dry.
A friend that works in the body shop was able to get 80% of it off.
The rocker panel area, is harder to remove because it is not metal.
Good luck, getting the ***** off!

[CRUZTAKER]

Ok, my end all Kerosene won't work on that. :rolleyes:

[Roadboss]

High pressure washer

[blackf0rk]

For serious!? Acid? While you're at it - use a chisel and hammer.


High pressure washer

Now that sounds like the best place to start.

[magindat]

For serious!? Acid? While you're at it - use a chisel and hammer.



Now that sounds like the best place to start.

Yes, acid. Not STRONG acid like from the blood of an ALIEN, but weak acid pre-tested and thoroughly rinsed. 'ACID' is not dirty scary four letter word, but a valuable tool if used correctly.

[vkirkend]

I will be spending the weekend pressure washing soaking spraying and de-cementing the Marauder. I like the vinegar but am scared of the Muriatic Acid. That sounds like howitzer to kill a fly. I don't want to have to repaint the beast just yet...

[Bluerauder]

I will be spending the weekend pressure washing soaking spraying and de-cementing the Marauder. I like the vinegar but am scared of the Muriatic Acid. That sounds like howitzer to kill a fly. I don't want to have to repaint the beast just yet...
So does this mean you are gonna miss the Safford L-M car show on Saturday? :( You'll miss the party at Tom's too.

Just bring your MM to the show and all the CAMers will bring a bottle of white vinegar. Figure we have to do something after eating and waiting for our door prizes and trophies. :trophy:

[RCSignals]

what parts of the car did the cement actually get on?

[blackf0rk]

'ACID' is not dirty scary four letter word

It is when it comes to factory Ford clear coat. Any acid strong enough to remove cement shouldn't come anywhere near the paint. At least, that's what I would tell my customers.

[magindat]

It is when it comes to factory Ford clear coat. Any acid strong enough to remove cement shouldn't come anywhere near the paint. At least, that's what I would tell my customers.

You may have point there....

I forget I repainted mine with 4 coats of DuPont clear!!!!

[vkirkend]

It was splashed on the driver side door, rear door and rear quarter panel I used my pressure washer on it yesterday and was able to get most of it off. I am afraid to use the narrow stream for fear of peeling the paint. (2500 PSI) I won't be coming to the car show as I have my Grandson for the summer and he is signed up for a Basketball league that plays on Saturday's and the draft is this Saturday at 4pm. So I will be doing the white vinegar thing on the spots still left tomorrow.

[Professor]

It is when it comes to factory Ford clear coat. Any acid strong enough to remove cement shouldn't come anywhere near the paint. At least, that's what I would tell my customers.

Muriatic comes in many different molarities (concentrations) and can be diluted with water. That said, cement is an alkaline base that has a specific component that reacts with HCL acid and allows it to break down. Paint is more resistant to acid than the cement. Obviously, you want to try the weakest acid you can get by with to remove the cement. The idea is to keep the acid on the cement ... not the paint. But ultimately, you will either have to get aggressive or it will require a repaint. If you are at the point of using muriatic acid, then your next choice is going to be a repaint anyway.

[Aren Jay]

Mythbusters used TnT, wasn't much left of the truck but it got rid of the concrete. Otherwise try the acid.

[Steve_NC]

Click and Clack (the tappit brothers) had this on their show a few weeks ago, and the muriatic acid worked for a listener.