Removing black gloss paint from white UPVC

[thikasabrik]

Any ideas on how to remove dried black gloss paint from a white UPVC door? The man who did my exterior decorating was a bit slap dash and has left four biggish streaks on the door. I've had a go at scraping it with a sharp object and have ended up scratching the UPVC.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received!

[BillyNoMates]

You could try using a slightly abrasive liquid such as Cif with a nylon pan scourer. This will scratch but so finely you probably won't notice.

Having said that, a friend has just had new uPVC doors installed. He was advised to clean them with White Spirit and says it works a treat. Not sure if that will be a good solvent for gloss though.

[Mowbray]

You could try Turps substitute??  I am not sure whether this will make any difference to the UPVC tho'.  Let us know what happens?

[jake-the-peg]

If those suggestions fail Nitromors paint strpper will definately remove the gloss but I don't know about the plastic. Try a smal bit on an out of the way bit first

[flaming]

I think you should ask the manufacturer of the PVC doors.  There's probably a name plate somewhere.  Or any manufacturers of white PVC goods, as they would know what paint solvents would act without damage to the material.

I do sympathise about the tradesman's carelessness.  I had the biggest bodger in London , I should think, doing some carpentry.  When I made a mild protest about something he said I was 'nit-picking'!

[thikasabrik]

Thanks for all your suggestions. The Cif & scourer didn't work, neither did the turps sub or white spirit. I dabbed some nitromose on the underneath of a UPVC window sill - thank goodness I tested it there - and the UPVC bubbled up. I got the door from a local supplier so on Monday I'll give them a ring. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

The man who did the painting was very cheap and I should have realised that if you pay peanuts, you get a monkey!

[Mrs_Pegasus]

My Dad uses Duraglit or T-Cut on anything like that!

Again I would test it out but it should lift the paint a layer at a time and not damage the PVC.

[BillyNoMates]

Sorry that the Cif/scourer or white spirit didn't work.

I hope that you will be charging the painter for the cost and time of you having to remove this.

[papaclio]

There is a UPVC scratch remover / cleaner which consists of a liquid and four grades of "sanding pad"

In Scotland it is available from Double quick supplies in Cumbernauld

[thikasabrik]

Update.

The local firm who fitted the door had someone working nearby & he came and had a look. It took him about five minutes to shift the black gloss. He did some sanding and then applied something which smelled suspiciously like petrol but he wouldn't say what it was. Where the gloss has been is a stain, but it's minor. Best of all, he charged me nothing!

Once again, thanks for all your advice & tips.