Sunscreen on paint

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cb242

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Hi guys,

I just got back from the beach and I found that I've got marks on my roof from sunscreen that was on my arms. It was from loading/unloading paddle boards. My paint did have a coat of wax on it but now the finish looks dry or dull in a few places. How should I start with correcting the spots? I've read to use a citrus cleaner or clay bar. Any other ideas?
 
Sunscreen is one of the products that has what I call
actual Nano-particles (usually less than 100nm in size)
in its formulation:
Titanium dioxide (TiO2); grayish/whitish-looking stuff.

Unfortunately, for vehicles (the Jury is still out
on how Humans are affected):
These Nanos will be small enough to penetrate
vehicles' paint-systems---and the longer they're
not removed/wiped-off the paint: the possibility
of deeper, and deeper penetration exists.

I'll suggest to first try an AIO.
Then if needed: Move up to the more
dedicated polishes/compounds.

Note:
I've seen the imprints of sunscreens "come back"...
even after a complete wet-sanding process.
Only a re-spray completely corrected the issue.

Hope that's not the cure for your situation.
Good Luck in your efforts!


Bob
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll report back after I try a few things this afternoon. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
 
FUNX650 said:
Sunscreen is one of the products that has what I call
actual Nano-particles (usually less than 100nm in size)
in its formulation:
Titanium dioxide (TiO2); grayish/whitish-looking stuff.
Click to expand...

Titanium dioxide is now being used as a new treatment for window glass because it attacks and degrades anything that touches it, thereby helping to keep windows clean.
Geek link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgbT2fJTqFY
 
Would clean up of a zinc oxide based sunblock be the same as titanium dioxide?
 
From what I can see...I was able to remove the spots last night. I cleaned the area, tried the clay bar and a spray polish but none of those efforts made the spot look any better. I ended up polishing by hand with meguiars ultimate polish this helped a lot but I could still see an outline of the spot so I continued with the same polish with the DA polisher. After a few passes, I couldn't see any imperfections. I followed up with liquid wax. Hopefully the spot won't come back.

**Bob - How long did it take for the spots to come back on the vehicles you've worked on?
 
cb242 said:
From what I can see...I was able to remove the spots last night.
Click to expand...
That's good news! :xyxthumbs:
Thanks for the follow-up...


cb242 said:
**Bob - How long did it take for the spots to come back on the vehicles you've worked on?
Click to expand...
Usually around 3-4 months.
But I can only conjecture that was where enough of the
sunscreen had originally been left on the vehicle long
enough to where it had penetrated the CC, and then
down to/into the BC.

By attacking your sunscreen issue in a timely manner,
hopefully that amount of penetration did not/will not
occur with your vehicle.


Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
That's good news! :xyxthumbs:
Thanks for the follow-up...



Usually around 3-4 months.
But I can only conjecture that was where enough of the
sunscreen had originally been left on the vehicle long
enough to where it had penetrated the CC, and then
down to/into the BC.

By attacking your sunscreen issue in a timely manner,
hopefully that amount of penetration did not/will not
occur with your vehicle.


Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob! I'll keep an eye on it. Another lesson learned...
 
Bob, what kind of marks are you seeing return? Just yesterday I took some sunscreen overspray off a truck bed, do not see any clear coat damage now. Is returning marks something to keep an eye on?
 
I think it would depend on the sunscreen. Most the spray products use "absorber" chemicals like Avobenzone that actually absorb UVA/UVB rays instead of reflecting them like micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Those absorbing type of chemicals don't penetrate like the micronized stuff. They also are responsible for turning the collar of your light colored shirts yellow/brown when you wash them in water that has a higher iron content.

BTW, I learned all this ridiculous nonsense after destroying a rather expensive set of swimwear using the Avobenzone type spray. Those types of sunscreen are also not recommended for babies and toddlers due to some potential hormone disruptive chemicals.
 
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