How to remove these spots?

grego33

grego33

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I have a Tiguan that has these spots all over. Mostly on the hood and roof but also some on vertical surfaces. I don't know what they are. The car is garage kept but it's the family car so it sees plenty of action. I suspect they come from something in trees, probably where the car is parked at work, where there are some ornamental trees and a large oak.

One from the hood:


And one from a rear-view mirror to show it's a raised spot, not just a stain.


These aren't sap. They are hard, almost like small seeds. Washing, including a ~5min foam soaking didn't phase them. Clay takes care of them, but with a pretty good amount of work. The top pops off pretty easily. I can pick it off with a fingernail no problem. But it leaves a brownish stain underneath that takes a good many swipes with the clay to get rid of.

So looking for advice. Is clay the best way to go? Is there some product that I should try? My cars have been pretty neglected, but I'm trying to remedy that one at a time. I have some polishes and compounds from my last project but not much in the way of cleaners yet.

Thanks
 
I think this might be a case of Artillary Fungus?


Check out this thread....


Black spots on my truck - artillary fungus


ArtillaryFungus.jpg




:xyxthumbs:
 
Found this with a quick Google search...


Sphaerobolus (commonly called either "artillery fungus" or "sphere thrower" fungus) forcibly ejects a peridiole (or speck) from the body of the fungi for a considerable distance. Peridioles can be projected vertically for more than 6 ft and horizontally for over 20 ft.

Some researchers have even reported that the discharge is actually accompanied by a barely-audible sound!

As with most fungi, growth is influenced by temperature, light, and moisture. When temperatures range between 50°F and 68°F and moisture levels are adequate, the fungus produces fruiting bodies (miniature plants). These structures usually form on the substrate medium (bark, dung, or decaying plant material) in autumn and spring and are quite small, approximately 1/10 inch in diameter. Because of their size, they are often very difficult to spot.


Can't be for sure if this is the problem you have on your paint but it kind of sounds like it.

What kind of plant life do you have around your house or where you regularly park your car?



:)
 
Looks like your options to remove are either a mechanical means,

Detailing Clay
Plastic Razor Blade
Nanoskin Autoscrub Wash Mitt
Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel
Nanosking Autoscrub Pads



I have articles on all of the above except the plastic razor blades which are pretty self-explanatory.


After using any of the above you should plan on doing at least one machine polishing step to remove any marring or scratches left in the paint.


:)
 
Fungus. Gross. That picture does look similar. I can't tell if those are raised or not though. Gladly I don't have them quite that bad! :-) I probably have about 10-15 on the hood and the same dispersal over the hood. So I guess that would be maybe 1/sq.ft.

I suspect that they come from an oak tree, or possibly some crape myrtles that are prevalent in the landscaping where my wife works and the car spends a great deal of time. The rest of the time is in the garage at home or various other places. So I think the odds point to something at work. It's on neither of the other 2 cars, including one that isn't garaged, so I don't think it comes from home.

A polish was on the todo list anyway so I don't mind that. I hadn't heard of the plastic razor blade. That sounds like a good way to pop them all off then follow up with clay/nanoskin. I've seen a bunch of references to nanoskin on the forums to this might give me justification to get one :dblthumb2:

Thanks!
 
Mike, good post! That's exactly what those look like. I get those sometimes and hate removing them. Mother Nature sometimes..
 
I love my Auto Scrub but my Speedy Prep, I can take it anywhere I go. (No machine necessary)

All you need is to Work Clean, Slight Elbow Grease and Lube.

Either or work great IMHO.

Art
 
I have been told they come from black mulch don't know if that's is correct or not. The easiest way I have found to deal with this pesky problem was to use a steamer, while it does take some time their is no abrasive contact to the paint, whereas using a plastic razor blade. I also found that using some bug/tar remover softens them quite a bit on some of the more stubborn ones to remove in conjunction with the steamer. Hope that helps good luck!
 
Just an update in case anyone runs across this thread and finds it useful. I found that some of them could be removed with just plain old clay bar and detail spray. But about 1/2 of them either weren't phased or were so slow going that I couldn't really tell the clay bar was working at all. On those I let a bit of bug and tar remover (TW - all I had) sit for about a minute, wiped, and then the clay bar was able to take them the rest of the way off. It still wasn't easy but at least they came off. It was a good 2-3 minutes per spot.
 
Good morning guys.I work for a big dealership and we have this problem especially after the landscaping crew agitate and stir up the mulch. Well unfortunately my partner and I have solved the problem and it very simple.Spray the entire vehicle down with all-purpose let soak for couple of minutes then take your pressure washer and Artillery fungus be gone,stain and all...:dblthumb2:
 
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