Name of and method to remove 'ghost streaks'?

[Marc Hufnagel]

I'm sorry I don't know a better way to describe what I am seeing.

I just got a new 2013 Infiniti, Moonlight white which is an iridiscent color in the sun. After washing I was drying it with some Megs QD and a mf cloth and saw various rounded shapes and what appear to be perhaps water streak remains on the paint.

Once the panel or area was totally dry these are not visible.

No body work has been done but I'm at a loss as to what these are any why they are only visible when the panel is still slightly wet? I tried several ways to get pics of this but failed.

Feed back please

 

[stibuki]

Sounds like some very light water spotting or combination of water droplets picking up some type of airborne fallout and then the sun drying up the water and leaving the contaminant embedded in the paint. Do a test spot with a clay bar, cleaner wax, chemical water spot remover or light compound and see if the spots are still present when wet. Start with least aggressive method first.

 

[swanicyouth]

I would not worry about it. I've seen similar things on my car. I believe they could be "high spots" in the LSP, soap residue from the wash (wash n wax soap), or possible area(s) of contamination on your car (don't know your car's history).

If they can't be seen when dry, then it sounds like those areas are handling water differently, which means something is likely different in that area.

If it bothers you, you could clay it and use a fine polish, but if all else is well I would just let it be until those steps are required.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

Well, this is after a CG Wash/Gloss strip ratio, iron-x, and some mother's yellow clay and finally some DG 501 with a white pad.

That being said, I think I'll try some 205 with either a megs MF finishing pad and/or a black foam pad. Thoughts on this?

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I would not worry about it. I've seen similar things on my car. I believe they could be "high spots" in the LSP, soap residue from the wash (wash n wax soap), or possible area(s) of contamination on your car (don't know your car's history).

If they can't be seen when dry, then it sounds like those areas are handling water differently, which means something is likely different in that area.

If it bothers you, you could clay it and use a fine polish, but if all else is well I would just let it be until those steps are required.

The car sat on a lot for a few months about 15-20 miles north of downtown Chicago and within a stone's throw on I-94. Not the cleanest environment, I made a post about the iron-x application. That was impressive.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/67858-iron-bleeds.html

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

Here is a pic where I had just lightly misted some QD onto the surface, the streaks you see are NOT QD running down. The QD made it's own but these appeared instantly as soon as the QD hit it.

 

[BlackHawk]

use a light polish or cleaner wax. Maybe that could get rid of any contamination present. Heck, you could even try claying

 

[Dr Oldz]

I have seen this quite often. It usually comes from an inferior trim dressing running when it rains. Not sure if there is trim above for this to happen such as window moldings. Anyway usually a light mechanically abrasive polish will solve this issue for you. 205 generally will clean this up. From what I gather some type of etching occurs when the trim dressing products run. Hope this helps.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

use a light polish or cleaner wax. Maybe that could get rid of any contamination present. Heck, you could even try claying

As I mentioned I've already stripped, ironx, clayed and DG501'd so I've got a pretty clean (otherwise) surface.

 

[BlackHawk]

but you havent used an abrasive yet.....

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

but you havent used an abrasive yet.....

no not yet. It was also suggested to wet the area with IPA straight and gently heat it and see if it resolves. These areas are not visible in the least when the surface is dry.

so very odd.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

i'm sorry i don't know a better way to describe what i am seeing.

I just got a new 2013 infiniti, moonlight white which is an iridiscent color in the sun. After washing i was drying it with some megs qd and a mf cloth and saw various rounded shapes and what appear to be perhaps water streak remains on the paint.

once the panel or area was totally dry these are not visible.

No body work has been done but i'm at a loss as to what these are any why they are only visible when the panel is still slightly wet? I tried several ways to get pics of this but failed.

Feed back please

sounds like some very light water spotting or combination of water droplets picking up some type of airborne fallout and then the sun drying up the water and leaving the contaminant embedded in the paint. Do a test spot with a clay bar, cleaner wax, chemical water spot remover or light compound and see if the spots are still present when wet. Start with least aggressive method first.

+1.

but you havent used an abrasive yet.....

+1.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

+1.



+1.

I am trying the 205 here in a couple of hours, but have done clay, ironx and DG501 with no change though.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I am trying the 205 here in a couple of hours, but have done clay, ironx and DG501 with no change though.

I think when you use M205, that is mechanically polish the paint it's going to fix the problem.

When I read the title to your thread I thought of this article,

The Final Wipe – Tips for creating a streak-free, show car finish

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I think when you use M205, that is mechanically polish the paint it's going to fix the problem.

When I read the title to your thread I thought of this article,

The Final Wipe – Tips for creating a streak-free, show car finish

I'll check back later today after trying the 205. I was thinking there was someone not too long ago that had some images/shapes that would appear only when the surface was wet. I spent a while last night trying to find it but no luck.

What pad color would you think with the 205? I thought probably a white, but also read where the megs MF finishing pad is a good partner for 205 as well.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I'll check back later today after trying the 205. I was thinking there was someone not too long ago that had some images/shapes that would appear only when the surface was wet. I spent a while last night trying to find it but no luck.

I always have this...water-spot kind of marks that only show when you wipe the surface and leave it damp, they are areas where the surface tension (or something) is different on a microscopic level, but once the surface is fully dry you can't see them. I always attribute it to (acid?) rain drying on the car, or spots where your wash dried leaving some of the polymers behind (depending on the wash, these spots can be very difficult to remove, even if you rewet the surface they won't rinse off without agitation). You can also see them when polishing if you are using a very mild technique, the polish will wet the surface differently where these spots are.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I always have this...water-spot kind of marks that only show when you wipe the surface and leave it damp, they are areas where the surface tension (or something) is different on a microscopic level, but once the surface is fully dry you can't see them. I always attribute it to (acid?) rain drying on the car, or spots where your wash dried leaving some of the polymers behind (depending on the wash, these spots can be very difficult to remove, even if you rewet the surface they won't rinse off without agitation). You can also see them when polishing if you are using a very mild technique, the polish will wet the surface differently where these spots are.

Sounds a lot like the same thing - on the roof and hood they are more spots and on the sides they are the drip streaks you see. They do disappear when the surface is completely dry.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

Well as luck would have it all the IPA has been used in the house and no one told me, or better yet replaced it. So I thought why not try the 205 and a white pad. All the streaks and images are gone for NOW, dried the car put it in before some storms roll through and will check again with some QD spray tonight and tomorrow. Hope they do not come back like was thought they might.

I'll post back tomorrow after I see what happens. Right now I'm pretty happy with it and preparing to put some Hydr02 (Carpro) on it this weekend.

thanks for the advice you all gave, hope I don't need more.