Acid rain? How can I get this out?

P

porschemacanshawaii

New member
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hi all,

This my first post on the forums. I'm in need of everyone's help. I washed my car today since it's been a while. Upon washing my car, I found this stain that looks similar to bird poop but I don't remember having any of that in my car. I would have noticed it and washed it right away.

It's been raining here in Hawaii recently and I'm thinking it might be acid rain since it does drip downward.

Any ideas on what it could be and if this is something I can correct or would I have to get the car repainted?

Thanks in advance.
 
if you can't wipe it off with some QD, then try using some polish and a foam applicator and see where that gets you...
 
What makes you think that there is acid rain in Hawaii? If there were, wouldn't it be over your entire car, especially the hood and top?
 
I tried wiping it off with some quick detailer but nothing happened. This is the picture after. I'll try some polish and see what happens.
 
Have you parked in a parking garage recently?
 
Rsurfer said:
Have you parked in a parking garage recently?
Click to expand...

Yes. I park in a parking garage for work. I did some research and found that it could minerals from the garage. I tried using some white vinegar and water now and it didn't work.
 
porschemacanshawaii said:
Yes. I park in a parking garage for work. I did some research and found that it could minerals from the garage. I tried using some white vinegar and water now and it didn't work.
Click to expand...
It could very well be efflorescence from the concrete floors. Had a corvette that had efflorescence stains, but it was on his chrome wheels and I used Meg's Wheel Brightner that took it right off. I would not suggest using Wheel Brightner on your paint.
You might try a water spot remover and hope it works.
 
porschemacanshawaii said:
Hi all,

This my first post on the forums. I'm in need of everyone's help. I washed my car today since it's been a while. Upon washing my car, I found this stain that looks similar to bird poop but I don't remember having any of that in my car. I would have noticed it and washed it right away.

It's been raining here in Hawaii recently and I'm thinking it might be acid rain since it does drip downward.

Any ideas on what it could be and if this is something I can correct or would I have to get the car repainted?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

porschemacanshawaii said:
Yes. I park in a parking garage for work.

I did some research and found that it could minerals from the garage.

I tried using some white vinegar and water now and it didn't work.
Click to expand...


Hi porschemacanshawaii,

Here's your pictures uploaded to your gallery here and then inserted to make them easier to see....


UnknownSpots_01.jpg


UnknownSpots_02.jpg



From the pictures, it looks like the stain has penetrated the clearcoat. Let's hope this is not that case because if it is the only way to remove them will be to polish the affected area or get more aggressive and COMPOUND and then polish the affected area.


I'm not sure what rsurfer is PMing you my guess is something that isn't sold on the AG store. If it is sold on the AG store I'm not sure why he feels compelled to take his information to a private message?

Regardless...


Here's a list of water spot removers available on the AG store... I'm not even sure if there are any other water spot removers available as we carry quite a selection.

CarPro Spotless Water Spot Remover

Optimum MDR Mineral Deposit Remover, water spot remover for paint, water spot remover glass

Meguiars Water Spot Remover

Duragloss Water Spot Remover (WSR) #505

GYEON Water Spot 500 ml

Meguiars #47 Hard Water Spot Remover is a boat polish for fiberglass boats that cleans the gel coat and prevents further oxidation.

McKee’s RV Water Spot Remover Gel, best rv water spot remover


That's seven different water spot removers. Most of the above are formulated to remove hard water spots which is the generic way of describing MINERAL deposits. The word HARD in the description hard water spots means minerals deposits.

Again, from looking at the pictures, it looks like whatever corrosive substance landed on your car's paint penetrated INTO the paint and those spots are not simple deposits sitting on the surface. Thus a water spot remover likely won't work and what you're going to probably have to do is compound and polish the paint and HOPE you have enough clear to remove the spots without abrading past the clearcoat and into the color coat.


The other remedy rsurfer pointed out, and that others will often point out without at the same time mentioning the SAFETY ISSUES is a a wheel cleaner that contains HYDROFLUORIC ACID, which if you get this on your skin, into your eyes, ingest it orally or breathe it into your lungs it can cause major damage to your organs.

Hydrofluoric Acid is also used to remove topical water spots not spots that are caused from some corrosive substance that has penetrated INTO the paint.


:)
 
As for using vinegar to remove the spots on your car's paint you're just another person that probably read or heard misinformation which is very common when it comes to the topic of using vinegar to remove water spots.

Does it work? Only if the water spots are caused by some form of Calcium Hydroxide.

I explain the fallacy of trying to use vinegar to remove water spots here,

Using Vinegar to remove water spots


The article also points out something everyone else leaves out and that is if wipe you car with vinegar you'll likely remove any wax or sealant protection. Thus the paint needs to be re-waxed afterwards.



:)
 
If after you try using chemical water spot removers and the spots are still present, then what I would do is something I call troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting is where you place a strip of painter's tape through the middle of the defect you want to remove.

Next work on just one side of the tape line. For your paint defect this would mean applying either a polish or to get more aggressive, apply a compound. This should be done by machine as most people don't have the skills, patience or muscle to properly hand apply compounds and polishes to modern clearcoats.

Then after buffing on one side of tape line for 45 seconds to a minute, wipe the residue off and inspect the area.

Check to see if the paint on the side you buffed on looks better than the side you left alone.

If the side you buffed on looks better then continue buffing till the defects are gone or until you reach your comfort level for buffing on thin factory car paint.

IF the side you buffed on shows zero sign of improvement then this would indicate the stain has penetrated deep into the paint. Not a good thing.


That's how I would approach this project.



Do you own a buffer?



If not, now might be the time to get into machine polishing not only to work on these spots but to take care of the paint on your Porsche anyways.


:)
 
paul_g said:
I know Mike cannot probably comment, but out of all the above listed, what is most peoples preference?
The Gyeon looks interesting.
Click to expand...


I can comment but I don't think any of the above will work. All of the above are for water spots that are sitting ON TOP of the paint.

None of the above will remove stains that have penetrated INTO the paint.

When you have a stain or any defect, like a scratch, that has penetrated INTO the paint the only way to remove it is to abrade the surface until you remove enough of the affected paint to level the surface so that the defects visually disappears.


I've subscribed to this thread and will follow it to see how this turns out.


:)
 
I've used the Duragloss Water Spot Remover #505 on my windows and it worked great.
 
porschemacanshawaii said:
I tried wiping it off with some quick detailer but nothing happened. This is the picture after. I'll try some polish and see what happens.
Click to expand...



Any updates?

Did you find out if these spots are ON the paint?

Or

Did you find out if these spots are IN the paint?

Would love to hear your follow-up and how you eventually remedy this issue with the spots and your car's paint.



:dblthumb2:
 
Thanks for all the responses everyone. I contacted the management of the building that I park in and they offered to detail my car. Upon getting a quote, the detailer tried to test polish the spot and it came off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top