Tools and Materials

• The most important tool you will need is some type of paint stripper. If you know what type of paint was used on the inside of your car, then you can get a paint stripper specifically for it. Otherwise, you will need to get an all-purpose stripper, or possibly a stripper designed for the plastic and vinyl surfaces of your car, which can often be found at an auto body shop. In a pinch, you can use rubbing alcohol as a substitute for the stripper. You will also need to have several cleaning materials handy, including rags for the easy work and a selection of small brushes or scrubbing pads for the hard-to-reach areas and corners. You will also need a respirator or some type of protection from the stripper fumes -- be sure to also work in a well-ventilated area so the fumes will not linger.
  
  You may also consider buying a vinyl restoration kit or a vinyl polish to treat the inside of the car when you are done. This will help burnish or remove any scratches you may accidentally create, and repair any damage you might inflict on some parts of the interior.
  
  

Removal Process

• Use your rags or brush to apply the paint stripper or thinner to the interior paint. You will then need to wait until it begins to affect the paint -- read the instructions on the bottle to see how long you have to wait. Most strippers start working in less than half an hour. You can often do a spot test by seeing whether the paint has started to peel, wrinkle, or bubble -- a sign that its bonds are being removed from the surface beneath.
  
  You can then use your rags and brushes to rub away the paint. Rinse them when they become too full of paint flecks, and go slowly to avoid creating scratches or rips in the interior surface. When you are finished, use a mixture of soapy water and new clean towels to clean off all the internal surfaces.