Clear coat experts of the world: please help. For the love of God, help me.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
12/26/2019 at 21:28 • Filed to: I did this to myself

Never seen this before in my life, after a decade of bad X-mas decorations on my cars, but: the little blue reef I put on my car appears to have stained my clear coat on the front edge of the hood.

No photos because it doesn’t show for a damn at night, but let me tell you hwat: it is there.

I got some spots off with hot water and elbow grease, but other parts are not budging (cold as hell right now too so...). Shopped hard for a bug guard — again — to cover it up, but they haven’t made any since 2007 and none are for sale on any forum, or ebay, or JDM (yo) sites under an Altezza/Gita.

Any way... not sure what to do. Let me know... Short of a bleeping repaint.

DISCUSSION (18)

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:33

Try the claybar cleaner of your choice and see what happens (and it’ll give you a reason to claybar the rest of the car). Follow up with the wax of your choice after. If that doesn’t do it, try a bit of polishing compound on the spot (and again follow up with a wax or sealant).

Svend > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:40

Most products will remove it, try a light polish, tar and glue remover, claybar/mitt, etc... even some waxes will rem ove it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:40

Claybar first before trying to go with the big guns. Failing that, get a simple orbital buffer and get both medium and fine cut polishing compounds. Medium cut is for problem areas and them fine cut is for blending the buffed area in to the rest of the car as a whole. If the medium compound doesn’t work, try 2000-4000 grit sandpaper, along with a small cup of distilled water to pour onto the area for a wet sand. Use WET sandpaper only. You’re trying to get out the thinn est layer possible on top and the water does two things - helps move out the offending patch and prevents the paper from biting too deep. All in, s hould be 50-100$ depending on sales. Finish up with a simple paste wax like meguiars or turtle wax to protect the area.

I’ll be that guy and say that a decent name brand paste-wax is pretty much as good as you’ll get for your average car. Don’t overpay on it, just follow up with a good wash and wax with this thick paste wax and you’ll have a great shine in no time.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:45

Clear coat is clear. Trust me, I’m an expert.

bmil128 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:55

Liquid carnauba wax on a microfiber with some elbow grease to rub it off followed by a clay bar then a coat of wax . Have gotten rid of paint overspray and rub marks that way before

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 21:57

https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-09224-Racing-Rubber-Remover/dp/B005R5WGCS

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
12/26/2019 at 21:58

Does it matter how hot or cold the car is? Should I throw it in the garage with the heater blasting beforehand?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:05

Clay

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:11

Room temperature is best, so just garage it and maybe put a space heater near it before patching. But temperature isn't nearly as bad as direct sunlight. Don't do this on a bright, sunny day in direct sunlight. I'd say between freezing point of water and room temperature is ideal. It'll keep water from evaporating and keep your clear coat hard.

NKato > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:13

Shouldn’t, really. I have a cheap polishing kit in my car for dealing with extremely small blemishes or surface imperfections . Honestly, if it's just pigment that got on there, it's a quick polish job.

smobgirl > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/26/2019 at 22:14

I’ve had a scuff mark on my car since someone bumped it with their bro truck in a parking lot years ago. I gave up trying to get it off...I might just give it another shot. Thanks!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > smobgirl
12/26/2019 at 22:16

It’s also amazing for autocross but it’s corrosive as fuck. So be careful

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:32

Spray it with some brake clean and then wipe it off with a paper towel. It won’t work if you clean the area first, you have to do it gritty.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:40

Sounds like it’s time for a new c ar to me.

glemon > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/26/2019 at 22:55

So you tried water and elbow grease and it got some of it off, that is a good sign. Do you have an WD40, it is a mild solvent that won’t harm modern paints. If that doesn’t work I would try some polishing compound. You don’t need an orbital sander for a small job like this, just some elbow grease and a clean terry cloth towel. I like Meguires like this, according to the label it is kind of a multi-viscosity polish, starts out aggressive and mellows out with the finish. https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirror-Action-Cleaner-Polish/dp/B0002SQYRI/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=meguires+polish+dual+action&qid=1577418795&sr=8-5

His Stigness > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 00:52

Just use a quality one step compound/polish or just a polish (compound is more aggressive than polish) like CarPro Fixer. Just do it by hand with a quality microfiber towel. After you get the transfer off just add a wax on top. https://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M53/Fixer-1-Step-Nano-Polish-Compound-P1317/250-ml-S1/

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
12/27/2019 at 00:56

See, that's where I was going with this.

Long_Voyager94 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
12/27/2019 at 07:04

Beat me to it.

This is the correct answer.