I have had an accident with paint in my partner's car

[Bunty55]

and he is unaware of it.
We cleared the garage out and some paint was left out to take to the tip. The paint is garden paint and is oil based I think. Somehow, I do not know for the life of me how, one of the tins was knocked over and contents spilled onto some charity bags.
I lifted the bags into the back of his car and when I removed them I saw the damage to his leather seat.. in his works car... that he will get into trouble for...
He was not involved at all - he was at work when we did the clear out.
Does anyone know how to remove it? I tried soapy water and it got rid of the more wet stuff but there is still a big stain on the seat and on the back of the drivers seat which he will see eventually.
Help - oh wise Mumsnetters please

Mobile car valet person round today?

This was an accident. It’s what insurance is for. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Are you worried that he’ll react badly?

Professional valet will have the right products to help... or a mobile valet will come to your house and sort it out

Thanks. I was hoping for hands on advice.. what to use... so he does not find out.. type of thing :)

Agree - professionally done

Are you insured on his work car?

That’s really the thing that’s bothering me… why do you feel it’s important that he shouldn’t find out?

It’s just an accident. It can be sorted out. You were just trying to clear out the garage.

You should totally be able to just talk to him about this. It’s just paint on a car seat. It shouldn’t be a big deal.

Undoubtedly it’s possible to fix but will need professional attention. There’s a good chance it won’t be solved by cleaning and will need some kind of repair. It would be a good idea to find someone like this in your local area: trimkings.co.uk

Garden paint? Can you elaborate on ether paint a bit more?

So is it oil or water based

Water based will come out eventually
Oil based more of a problem

So nobody has any idea then? I was thinking perhaps white spirit ?

My DH spilled bright blue paint all over rout car back seats (white leather) I just used bicarbonate and white vinegar and scrubbed the seats. Couldn’t even tell
it happened

Well white spirit is only of use on oil paint really.....when it's still wet

Water based really only needs water. Maybe a bit of sugar soap

White spirit in a hot car not best idea

Also I would NOT advise white spirit on leather

He'll definitely know if you use white spirit as it'll stink!

It would be totally reasonable and human response for him to be upset that it's happened, not everyone has superhuman levels of emotional control and calmness like above posters seem to suggest 😂 obviously screaming shouting and undue levels of anger would not be reasonable but I'd be trying to solve it myself too!

I wonder whether this stuff could help? I've used it on tar in fabric so it's powerful but gentle

De.Solv.it® Sticky Stuff® Remover Liquid - 250ml amzn.eu/d/e5qqnZa

I would leave it to the professionals TBH.

@Narcheska · Today 11:43
'My DH spilled bright blue paint all over rout car back seats (white leather) I just used bicarbonate and white vinegar and scrubbed the seats. Couldn’t even tell
it happened'

Thank you. I will try it.

Are you worried that he’ll react badly?
It's right there in the opening post that it's a company car and that he will get into trouble over this. So his employer will react badly.

And yes to the previous question - are you insured to drive his car?

Yes, I’d contact a specialist detailer. They have all kinds of cleaning products. Facebook is often a good source, ask on your local community board, look at reviews and have a good chat with the person first, so you can get a feel for whether or not they are just a bloke with a bucket and a bottle of Halfords soap, or whether they actually know what they’re doing.

I think you e misunderstood, the op is not saying she doesn’t want th employer to find out, she’s saying she doesn’t wish him to find out. Which is very different.

The more stuff you try, the more likely you are to either damage the leather or fix the stain. Just contact a professional.

I am laughing at all the third degree questioning !
Yes I am insured to drive it - of course I am - I drove it to the charity shop.
No I do not want him to find out what happened which is why I am asking for advice on here - not on the state of my relationship. But thanks anyway for the concern. Much appreciated :)

Maybe I’m just living on another planet, but even if the employer is a tyrant who will
tar and feather the DH, feeling the need to cover it up so the husband doesn’t know it happened at all doesn’t feel hugely healthy.

People should be able to fuck up, tell their partners and feel that they’re both trying to sort it out together. ‘oh shit! I’ve accidentally spilled paint in your car. I think I should take it for a professional clean,’ shouldn’t be a challenging conversation in a healthy relationship.

Op people are just worried that you don’t want him to find out. It indicates a bad reaction, it is totally normal to tell your partner without worry.

I think I need to go and lie down in a darkened room now. It was just a question and now my relationship is being brought into question. Would you like to know my bank balance as well?

@bunty

I work with paint and often clean up spillages

I tried to help but you just focused on the other questions and didn't help me to help you