Factory Interior Paint?

[Audiomechanic]

I've noticed on our bug and on others that I looked at before buying this one that the plastic appears to have a paint on it that is rubbery and sticky. It is flaking off of the doors, dash, armrest and trim and just looks bad. I can use my fingernail and scrape it off. The plastic underneath is the same color as the "paint."

What is the best way to strip this stuff off?

Thanks in advance!

[Bella Sera]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. I am looking forward to seeing what people say about this. TIA

[MichelleRoze]

I've heard lots of "remedies" to take this flaky stuff off, but you really just have to sand the ever-loving-crap out of this stuff. I hear though that soaking it in nail polish remover or something like that is good too, then sand it.

Then after sanding, paint it whatever color you choose! That's what I plan to do!

[Audiomechanic]

I thought about that, but I don't want to re-paint it. The plastic underneath is the same color as the paint so just removing the paint is fine with me. I Might try to mineral spirits and a scotch bright sponge.

I want to disassemble the interior of this car anyway to give it a proper detail. Might as well do it then.

[noR]

avoid sanding. That'll mess up the texture and you'll be in for a long night trying to make it 'even'.

Try some solvents coupled with high-pressure water. (take it off and presure wash'em?

[DZLBUG]

An old sock soaked with strong rubbing alcohol works wonders. I think you're going to want to paint it though, as it will be quite shiny otherwise. Krylon Indoor/Outdoor flat black is a near perfect match to the rubbery crap, but it holds up very well. Just clean up the plastic, scuff them up and spray a few quick and light coats. Doesn't take long at all and it turns out great.

[Audiomechanic]

Originally Posted by noR

avoid sanding. That'll mess up the texture and you'll be in for a long night trying to make it 'even'.

Try some solvents coupled with high-pressure water. (take it off and presure wash'em?

Not a bad idea there. I'll be pressure washing the carpet anyway, why not the plastic too?

Originally Posted by DZLBUG

An old sock soaked with strong rubbing alcohol works wonders. I think you're going to want to paint it though, as it will be quite shiny otherwise. Krylon Indoor/Outdoor flat black is a near perfect match to the rubbery crap, but it holds up very well. Just clean up the plastic, scuff them up and spray a few quick and light coats. Doesn't take long at all and it turns out great.

I might paint the dash, but that's it. The shinyness doesn't bother me otherwise and I was planning on getting ALL of the paint off. That includes the paint on the door panel, cosole, trim pieces, glovebox door, etc. The only part of the car that's black is the dash. Everything else is tan colored so finding a paint to match would be difficult.

[Oldbugman]

Believe it or not, and someone else has made this suggestion prior to me so I want to make sure they get the credit as well, just can't remeber who it was.

Easy Off Oven Cleaner: works great just spray it on let it sit and the paint will wipe right off, yes I have tried it and it does work. Does not seem to affect the plastic.

Another product I've heard that is good for paint removal but have not tried it. Wesley Bleach white whitewall tire cleaner, from what I've heard this will not daamage the plastic either.

[Oldbugman]

Ok so I'm cleaning my dash and trying everything thats been mentioned to use. The only product I had'nt tried was Wesleys Bleche White tire cleaner, let me say this stuff is amazing. Sprayed some on let it sit for about five minutes and lightly scrubbed with a scotch brite pad. Stuff came off almost effortlessly. Did it again just to get the spots I missed, rinsed with clean water let dry and BAM I'm paintin. Wish I would have tried this when I started what a time saver it would have been.

[SMG]

Duplicolor Vinyl and Fabric paint works great. It's made to be a dash paint and it holds up great in the heat and matches pretty closely.

[xXRockyHorrorsXx]

OH EM GEE! Lol. Every New Beetle owner experiences this problem. I have a hard time recalling what I used to strip that crap off, but it was some Orange cleaner stuff and then after spraying it on, I gently scraped it with a credit card. Don't use goo-be-gone...I'm pretty sure that like...dissolves the plastic.