Request: Advice on removing road acquired spots off of ceramic/PPF

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snovvman

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I have PPF and fresh but fully cured Adam's Advanced Graphene coating. After a drive today, I noticed that there were about a dozen spots in front of the car. They do not look like tar. They could be bird dropping but I am not sure. Based on their roundish shape, they were in liquid form when they contacted the car.

I used some waterless detail spray and was able to remove them with a bit of rubbing, or so I thought. Even though they were no longer visible to my eyes under the garage shop lights, they are still there.

As you might know, Adam's coatings have a UV tracer. Under UV, all those spots light up brighter than the graphene ceramic coating, as if the spots were never removed. I washed the area with soap, it made no difference. Neither did 50% IPA. Whatever it is, I don't want it to etch into the coating or PPF.

What can I use to try to remove these spots without harming the ceramic coating or PPF? I want to use only what is necessary to remove the spots, in escalating aggressiveness. It's hard to find the right solvent not knowing what the spots are. The only clue is that they fluoresce under UV. Windex? Simple Green? I don't want to use Goof Off or Goo Gone in fear that they will damage the coating or PPF.

I'd appreciate some advice.

Thanks.
 
Nothing should be sticking if you have a coating over PPF, could be bee poo it's a gold shiny type smells like honey, Google it i get it on the car in spring it's like they are attracted to the colour.
 
Tasmania said:
Nothing should be sticking if you have a coating over PPF, could be bee poo it's a gold shiny type smells like honey, Google it i get it on the car in spring it's like they are attracted to the colour.
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I was surprised that it even took effort to wipe off (so it was not visible to the eye). There were bugs and other things that I was able to just wipe off with no effort. The spots were clear with an outline. Some were as large as 1/2" in diameter, so I doubt it's bee. I'm just looking for something to remove them.

Presuming it's bird--which is acidic, is it better to use an acid-based cleaner (vinegar, Goo Gone) or alkali--baking soda/water?
 
If anything polish the area and reapply the coating.
 
I ended up trying 50/50 vinegar and Goo Gone. Neither made a difference. What would fluoresce under UV, sticks to ceramic coating, and is so hard to remove?
 
How long have the spots been there, maybe etched the PPF try a little heat from a hair dryer or heat gun then reapply coating.

Through up a pic for the boy's that do this for a day job they might help
 
Tasmania said:
How long have the spots been there, maybe etched the PPF try a little heat from a hair dryer or heat gun then reapply coating.

Through up a pic for the boy's that do this for a day job they might help
Click to expand...

Thanks. The spots were from a drive yesterday and I saw them last night, so within 10 hours. They are no longer visible to the naked eye--only fluoresce under UV. I'm not sure if I can capture that on a camera but I will try later. I have ceramic coating on top off PPF so I hope at the most it's the coating that is etched.
 
DanaDetailingPros said:
Try clay? Clay will work on just about anything.
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The surface is perfectly smooth. I did spot-try clay, but it made no difference. I tried heat too, nothing.

So far, waterless detailer, soap, IPA, Goo Gone, Simple Green, Vinegar 50/50 have not worked. I tried Goof Off on one of the spots. It did work, but it also removed the UV reactivity, which I take to mean that it's removed at least in part the ceramic coating.

Compare the images below (linked). The spots are only visible under UV. Btw, the edges are fluorescing brightly because of the accumulation of the graphene ceramic coating.

https://i.imgur.com/DO9Gkl2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4sXdm9X.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XaW0Sc3.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YiJlW2q.jpg
 
Eldorado2k said:
What do you mean you tried heat?
If they’re not visible to the naked eye, I wouldn’t worry about it.
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I thought the PPF was damaged so i suggested heat i didn't know you could only see the spots with a ultraviolet light


I thought UV as in the sun etc
 
It's probably the slip solution they used when putting on the PPF forget about it it's fine
 
Whatever it was etched/stained your coating. As you found out, whatever would have chemically removed it would remove the coating.

As Guz said Would polish and recoat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Only visable under UV light.....Maybe 2 ppl were doing some procreating against your car and made a mess?

Seriously though, personally i wouldnt worry about it. But if ya are id try what guz said.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 
Tasmania said:
It's probably the slip solution they used when putting on the PPF forget about it it's fine
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's not the slip solution because after the PPF and coating, I went through the car with UV and they were not there. Also, they originated from the surface--visible to the eye. After cleaning what looked like bird dropping or some sort of fallout, I used UV to see if the cleaning had any effect on the coating. That was when I discovered them.

My concern is that if they were able to etch into the coating, I want to prevent them from further etching down into the PPF.

Coatingsarecrack said:
Whatever it was etched/stained your coating. As you found out, whatever would have chemically removed it would remove the coating.

As Guz said Would polish and recoat.
Click to expand...

What would be the advantage of polish versus chemical removal, since they both remove coating? To me, chemical can be more surgical in that it only removes the coating and contaminant. Polishing may take more off the the surface?


opie said:
Only visable under UV light.....Maybe 2 ppl were doing some procreating against your car and made a mess?

Seriously though, personally i wouldnt worry about it. But if ya are id try what guz said.
Click to expand...


Or some weirdo on his own... :doh:

Anyway... I just want to prevent any deeper etching.

Curiously, why is everyone suggesting the mechanical removal method (i.e., polishing) rather than the chemical method (Goof Off) when both work?
 
I VOTE FOR IT'S UNDERNEATH. If it really bugs you make a pin hole and see if it will push out. Seal back up with what the mfr. recommends.
 
DanaDetailingPros said:
I VOTE FOR IT'S UNDERNEATH. If it really bugs you make a pin hole and see if it will push out. Seal back up with what the mfr. recommends.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't follow. I can wipe it right off with Goof Off. It does take a part of the ceramic coating with it, but the mark goes away completely. If you mean air or water underneath the PPF, it is not, as I am quite familiar with what they look like.

As I have written above, after the coating was fully cured over dried PPF, I went through the car with UV and they were not there. Also, they originated on the surface, visible to the eye, after the car had been sitting outside. They looked like a form of bird dropping. Lastly, air or water do not react under UV like biological material does.
 
I’d be more afraid of what the Goof Off can do to the ppf
 
Honestly mate take it back to the PPF installer and ask the above questions
Othe than that i think your mind is made up on what you want to do.

And be thankful that people took the time to try and help you.:)
 
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