by "You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
Published 10/18/2017 at 09:38
by "You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
Published 10/18/2017 at 09:38
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My wife’s Explorer is kind of a mess. After running it through the touchless car wash yesterday I clay barred the bugs off the front of it in preparation for wax. On the hood there is some nastiness that didn’t come off with the clay bar. Looks to be tree sap, bird crap and/or bug crap. There are also tiny specks of rust on rear and a few here and there on the lower door panels. I’m assuming the rust specks are something on the surface of the paint and not actual body rust. How do I get that nastiness off?
"random001" (random001)
10/18/2017 at 09:44, STARS: 0
Oh dear. I fear we are in deep paint correction territory. I’ll get my Random Orbital...
If there’s rust, it means paint damage, and rust is coming through from the door. No way out of that. If it just looks like rust, it might be surface contamination. I get those little brown spots on the paint, too. If you can go after it with your finger nail and pick off something like a scab, then it’s on the surface, and a cayabar should take the rest off. Otherwise, if it’s rust... deep correction territory.
As for the nastiness, sounds like it’s chemically bonded, or possibly etched in. Neither is very much fun to deal with. A good hard polish might get some of it out. Take a close look, see if it looks like the clear coat is pitted. You should be able to feel that, too. If it’s chemically bonded, you can probably polish away the layer and restore it. If it’s etched....deep paint correction territory.
"ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy" (bakeshake)
10/18/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0
Last week, Svend advised someone in a similar situation to soak a rag in a water-based bug remover and let it sit on the problem spot for a while, being sure not to let it dry out.
"Rico" (ricorich)
10/18/2017 at 10:08, STARS: 0
First regarding these rust specks. This is due to iron particles sticking to your paint. These particles can come from a variety of places and the best way to remove them is by using a Iron fallout remover. This link has multiple brands https://autogeek.commerce-search.net/search?catalog=autogeek&query=Fallout+remover&submit=Go&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autogeek.net%2Fexteriorcare.html
I’ve only personally used Iron X. They all smell like shit so prepare yourself. This is the body paint equivalent of using those wheel cleaners that change brake dust to that reddish-purple color.
As far as the tree sap, try a little WD40 on a MF cloth and see if it will dissolve it.
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
10/18/2017 at 10:23, STARS: 0
Isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol are paint safe and will usually take most “sticky / goopy” saps off (compared to hard, dried saps that will come off with clay). Do NOT use goof off, acetone, xylene, paint thinner, or mineral spirits.
You don’t need an Iron X or similar product for paint decontamination at the “rust” if you clayed the area. Those are specific substitutes for medium-grade clay, but they won’t decontaminate your paint any more than clay will. But If you clayed the area already you might want to consider buying it anyways, since you need to touch the paint up (sorry bud) and with enough applications the iron x will dissolve the rust right out of the pit.
Both of these will take time. The first couple applications of the alcohol on the sap won’t seem to take it off just spread it around. Use microfiber and get something extra plush for when you’re really trying to get the last of it off. Clean after you’re done and hand buff with a medium-fine polish like Megs 205 and you’ll be good as new.
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
10/18/2017 at 10:25, STARS: 0
Also the alcohol will eat through any wax you had on there (as clay will) so prepare accordingly.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
10/18/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 0
I’ve used goof off before and not noticed any damage to the paint, but it is super aggressive. I mostly use isopropyl alcohol now.
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
10/18/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 0
I hear you and a lot of people say it’s fine, but isopropyl alcohol is widely accepted and a common detailing tool. Just doesn’t seem worth the risk. I would maybe - MAYBE use Goof-Off on paint overspray as a last resort, if clay, IPA, tar remover, citrus cleaner, etc., all didn’t work.