Can't get rid of this stubborn grime

[olenderc]

Finally bought an electric pressure washer and foam cannon (AR Blue Clean AR112 + AR Foam Cannon). I was excited to say the least. My wash method was as follows:

-foam entire car with CG wash and clear (about 2 oz the rest filled up with water to 32 oz)
-rinse with pressure washer
-2 bucket wash with CG Mr. Pink and Incredimitt
-air dry with electric leaf blower

However, I can't get rid of this grime that comes from out under the door handles and the door sills. I mean I probably could but the pressure I would have to scrub with would definitely instill unnecessary swirls.

Some pics:

And now for the grime I can't remove with regular pressure passes of an Incredimitt:

The grime is some greasy crap they must load the doors with for whatever reason (prevent corrosion or something?). It comes out from these holes at least on the sills, the door handles I'm not sure of.

What gives, any ideas? I was hoping the pre-soak with a foam gun would be my magic answer, or at least help decrease the amount of left over grease I see, but no dice.

 

[jamesboyy]

I've seen that on a few VW's lately what it may be is a combination of grease and dirt from the door handle that stained the paintwork from begin exposed to the sun(heat) therefore you may have to compound and or polish that area

 

[Mike lambert]

It is body wax. It comes out of everything when it gets warm. It is used to prevent rust and moisture in places when shipped. Apc will remove it, and over time it stops. My wife's car does the same thing.

 

[Lakeside Detail]

There is likely built up dirt and grime behind the door handle and in the cracks. My detail van did this badly from the windows until I completely cleaned the gaps behind the windows. Its really common on white vehicle just because is easy to spot. I've seen it from door handles, windows, and mirror housings.

It happens to me after it rains too, at least used torops:

 

[olenderc]

I'll have to try some APC then. I'm just surprised wash and clear didn't break it up enough where I can't even wash it off during my 2 bucket wash after a foam pre-soak. This stuff is supposed to "clear" paint of wax and stuff to prep for polishing? Ha, I can hardly see how that would ever happen. Frankly a little disappointed in Chemical Guys.

 

[Corey@OptimalDetailing]

If it stained the clear, a polish will be required to remove it. I wouldn't go knocking CG, or any manufacturer for that matter, just because it won't remove it. Every vehicle is different, it may have stained yours where it may not stain mine.

PS: Great looking car!

 

[olenderc]

If it stained the clear, a polish will be required to remove it. I wouldn't go knocking CG, or any manufacturer for that matter, just because it won't remove it. Every vehicle is different, it may have stained yours where it may not stain mine.

PS: Great looking car!

I polished and coated my car about 3 weeks ago, so the paint has been maintained fairly well since then, I don't think I've given the runoff enough time to burn into the paint. Subsequently I just went into the garage to experiment a little bit to see if I could get it off other ways. First thing I tried, some Meguiar's Quik Detailer and a bright green microfiber towel. Few sprays to dampen the microfiber and then 1 spray on the side skirt. Wiped off easy peasy, I was like just like .

Good news is it's fairly easy to wipe off, bad news is why isn't my presoak and 2 bucket wash getting rid of it? I wasn't trying to knock CG by any means, I'm just rather disappointed in this product. I assumed a product marketed as something that will degrade your wax and leave your paint bare would be able to wash away this grime no problem.

Also thank you for the compliment, I appreciate it :xyxthumbs:

 

[swanicyouth]

I'll have to try some APC then. I'm just surprised wash and clear didn't break it up enough where I can't even wash it off during my 2 bucket wash after a foam pre-soak. This stuff is supposed to "clear" paint of wax and stuff to prep for polishing? Ha, I can hardly see how that would ever happen. Frankly a little disappointed in Chemical Guys.

Wash and Clear is their maintenance wash. Citrus Red 1oz:1 gallon is what is supposed to strip LSPs. I used to install that "rust proofing" stuff years ago on new cars as part of new car prep & SI/EI - if a customer was paying for it.

Some new cars may come with it, but we had like a little pump sprayer with this waxy stuff in it. It had a pin nozzle on the end of it and we would spray it in certain holes in the body cavity.

The stuff was just nasty and gross. Kinda reminded me of a tub full of melted ear wax. Luckily, most people didn't want to pay $$$ for this stuff.

If it's really bothering you the only real solution I see would be to pull the door panels and start cleaning out of the door skin with APC. Other than that, you likely will have to just keep cleaning it off your paint with APC until it goes away.

Something I would try to clean it would be a "wax safe" bug remover. I believe Poor Boys and 1Z Bug and Tar are considered wax safe. Something like AutoFinesse Avalanche may work as well in the foam cannon with a little agitation. If your going the APC route, I'd recommend a bottle of P21S Total Auto Wash. If you are cost conscious - get Sonus All in 1. They are paint safe.

Whatever you do, don't use something like Spray Nine or Simple Green - or you may end up wishing you never messed with it. Use something known to be safe on paint.

 

[olenderc]

Wash and Clear is their maintenance wash. Citrus Red 1oz:1 gallon is what is supposed to strip LSPs. I used to install that "rust proofing" stuff years ago on new cars as part of new car prep & SI/EI - if a customer was paying for it.

Some new cars may come with it, but we had like a little pump sprayer with this waxy stuff in it. It had a pin nozzle on the end of it and we would spray it in certain holes in the body cavity.

The stuff was just nasty and gross. Kinda reminded me of a tub full of melted ear wax. Luckily, most people didn't want to pay $$$ for this stuff.

If it's really bothering you the only real solution I see would be to pull the door panels and start cleaning out of the door skin with APC. Other than that, you likely will have to just keep cleaning it off your paint with APC until it goes away.

Something I would try to clean it would be a "wax safe" bug remover. I believe Poor Boys and 1Z Bug and Tar are considered wax safe. Something like AutoFinesse Avalanche may work as well in the foam cannon with a little agitation. If your going the APC route, I'd recommend a bottle of P21S Total Auto Wash. If you are cost conscious - get Sonus All in 1. They are paint safe.

Whatever you do, don't use something like Spray Nine or Simple Green - or you may end up wishing you never messed with it. Use something known to be safe on paint.

I've been meaning try get some P21S total auto wash, heard good things with respect to degreasing. Though I'd likely use it mostly for heavy build up type stuff, are you supposed to use it as a car wash? It comes in a spray bottle and the name seems misleading like its a car wash soap almost.

 

[swanicyouth]

I've been meaning try get some P21S total auto wash, heard good things with respect to degreasing. Though I'd likely use it mostly for heavy build up type stuff, are you supposed to use it as a car wash? It comes in a spray bottle and the name seems misleading like its a car wash soap almost.

Well, the name is confusing. It's a German made product from a German company - so maybe something in the name got lost in the translation. It's more like a highly concentrated d-limonene based APC that can be diluted. It's also paint safe - but it can remove "wax". It's not a carwash product. It's good for cleaning gunk of paint that "car wash"'isn't strong enough to remove.

If you buy the bottle - the sprayer it comes with is garbage. So, have another sprayer handy. It works exceptionally well with a foaming type sprayer - so maybe order one of those.

 

[FUNX650]

Finally bought an electric pressure washer and foam cannon (AR Blue Clean AR112 + AR Foam Cannon). I was excited to say the least.

I was hoping the pre-soak with a foam gun would be my magic answer,

or at least help decrease the amount of left over grease I see, but no dice.

I'll have to try some APC then. I'm just surprised wash and clear didn't break it up enough where I can't even wash it off during my 2 bucket wash

after a foam pre-soak.

This stuff is supposed to "clear" paint of wax and stuff to prep for polishing? Ha, I can hardly see how that would ever happen. Frankly a little disappointed in Chemical Guys.

Subsequently I just went into the garage to experiment a little bit...I tried, some Meguiar's Quik Detailer and a bright green microfiber towel.

Few sprays to dampen the microfiber and then 1 spray on the side skirt. Wiped off easy peasy, I was like just like .
Good news is it's fairly easy to wipe off,

bad news is why isn't my presoak and 2 bucket wash getting rid of it.

I wasn't trying to knock CG by any means, I'm just rather disappointed in this product. I assumed a product marketed as something that will degrade your wax and leave your paint bare would be able to wash away this grime no problem.

IMHO:

The above posts by the OP could be the "Poster Boy" for the purposes of demonstrating the fallacies of thinking that a "foaming"-device (gun/cannon) is an adequate car wash tool---(makes for a good dog-and-pony-show, though); and, along with that: Car wash shampoos are mostly inadequate at "stripping" many LSPs.

Thanks for your posts and this thread OP!!

Bob

 

[olenderc]

Well, the name is confusing. It's a German made product from a German company - so maybe something in the name got lost in the translation. It's more like a highly concentrated d-limonene based APC that can be diluted. It's also paint safe - but it can remove "wax". It's not a carwash product. It's good for cleaning gunk of paint that "car wash"'isn't strong enough to remove.

If you buy the bottle - the sprayer it comes with is garbage. So, have another sprayer handy. It works exceptionally well with a foaming type sprayer - so maybe order one of those.

Yeah I experienced this same poor sprayer effect with the P21S gel wheel cleaner, I need to find a replacement for that bottle. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[olenderc]

IMHO:

The above posts by the OP could be the "Poster Boy" for the purposes of demonstrating the fallacies of thinking that a "foaming"-device (gun/cannon) is an adequate car wash tool---(makes for a good dog-and-pony-show, though); and, along with that: Car wash shampoos are mostly inadequate at "stripping" many LSPs.

Thanks for your posts and this thread OP!!

Bob

I wholeheartedly agree. However, I performed a foam cannon "pre-soak" for the purpose of loosening up any dirt and grime on the paint prior to performing a conventional 2 bucket wash as I mentioned in my OP. I had done so per recommendation of forum member swanicyouth in hopes of decreasing the chances of instilling swirls during my washes.

By this method, I include an extra step in the car wash process, rather than less steps. By no means do I believe or suggest that simply foaming a car and rinsing is adequate enough to properly clean a car.

In my particular situation, I was merely disappointed that the addition of this extra step failed to help address one particular stubborn spot on my car that had deposits of "body wax" even after subsequent followup with a 2 bucket wash.

Would you agree then, that there is a sense of false-advertising in products like this marketed as being able to strip LSP?

Directly from the product description: "The Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Clear is one of the safest products you can use to strip off the protection (i.e. sealant, wax) from your paint."

Unfortunately I must have been naive to think this product would have the "power" to tackle a little built up wax/grime that subsequently came off no problem with merely a quick detailer. Seems a little backwards if you ask me, but that's just my own speculation. The only thing I can think of is (from a foam cannon dispenser) the concentration of product for the particular 2oz per 32oz dilution I used was not enough.

 

[FUNX650]

I wholeheartedly agree. However, I performed a foam cannon "pre-soak" for the purpose of loosening up any dirt and grime on the paint prior to performing a conventional 2 bucket wash as I mentioned in my OP.

By this method, I include an extra step in the car wash process, rather than less steps. By no means do I believe or suggest that simply foaming a car and rinsing is adequate enough to properly clean a car.

In my particular situation, I was merely disappointed that the addition of this extra step failed to help address one particular stubborn spot on my car that had deposits of "body wax" even after subsequent followup with a 2 bucket wash.

That was my point:
IMHO..."Foaming"...Doesn't really pan out.

Would you agree then, that there is a sense of false-advertising in products like this marketed as being able to strip LSP?

Directly from the product description: "The Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Clear is one of the safest products you can use to strip off the protection (i.e. sealant, wax) from your paint."

Unfortunately I must have been naive to think this product would have the "power" to tackle a little built up wax/grime that subsequently came off no problem with merely a quick detailer. Seems a little backwards if you ask me...

To be certain:
Some folks ideas/definitions of:
"LSP-stripping"...will vary from those of others.

Bob

 

[Antihero47]

Is this what you used. If so, it clearly states that it does not strip wax.

 

[olenderc]

Is this what you used. If so, it clearly states that it does not strip wax.

It seems to be the same product as this, which is the one I purchased. However, product descriptions differ between both sites. Obviously I would err to trust the manufacturer's site, so I guess that solves that. Not sure why the former website would misconstrue such information.

 

[DaveT435]

It is body wax. It comes out of everything when it gets warm. It is used to prevent rust and moisture in places when shipped. Apc will remove it, and over time it stops. My wife's car does the same thing.

I'll have to try some APC then. I'm just surprised wash and clear didn't break it up enough where I can't even wash it off during my 2 bucket wash after a foam pre-soak. This stuff is supposed to "clear" paint of wax and stuff to prep for polishing? Ha, I can hardly see how that would ever happen. Frankly a little disappointed in Chemical Guys.

If your talking about Citrus clear it is an everyday wash. It will not remove an LSP. It just doesn't contain any wax or gloss enhancers that could be left behind. I use this shampoo on my coated cars because I don't want anything left on top of the coating. Wash and gloss and Citrus red are the ones designed to remove LSP's.

 

[olenderc]

If your talking about Citrus clear it is an everyday wash. It will not remove an LSP. It just doesn't contain any wax or gloss enhancers that could be left behind. I use this shampoo on my coated cars because I don't want anything left on top of the coating. Wash and gloss and Citrus red are the ones designed to remove LSP's.

From their site product description it lists "wash and gloss" as wax/sealant safe:

Chemical Guys CWS_301_16 - Citrus Wash & Gloss Concentrated Car Wash (16 oz)

I couldn't find the "citrus red" product to see how they categorize it, but the only soap I could find where they specifically list as not wax/sealant safe is the bug + tar soap.

I know a lot of people claim to use wash and gloss as a LSP stripper, but it specifically lists the product as wax/sealant safe, not to mention contains a gloss agent which would seem counter-intuitive for a product if it were meant to strip LSPs.