Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
Paintwork problems
I am giving my D3 a bit of a spring clean, and she is coming up very nicely. I have got a problem with the paintwork on both sides of the vehicle which is proving very awkward.
There are millions of tiny hard specks of something stuck to the paint. I thought it was tar, so have tried Autoglym Intensive tar remover. It gets some of the obvious tar spots off, but leaves the brown hard bits. I can scratch them off with my nail, but I will still be here next spring doing it that way. I tried Autoglym renovating polish on a small test piece, and it also had no effect. Nor does white spirit.
WTF is it? have I driven through something that has damaged the paint?, is it brake dust or something?
How is it best removed?
Here is a picture.
Click image to enlarge
8th Mar 2008 12:34 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
Try some Panel Wipe.
8th Mar 2008 1:12 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15213
It's not tree sap is it?
or has it been thrown up by the wheels?
Have you tried Meths or WD40, these can remove quite a few different stains.
Theres always wheel cleaner, but I'd be very wary on using it!
Also, maybe try various household products on a small area.
If one works use it sparingly and thouroughly wash off afterwards - providing it's not too caustic.🏴
8th Mar 2008 1:13 pm
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4502
I'll get abuse hurled for suggesting it but the people here know how to remove pretty much everything from paintwork and will doubtless have some tips and advise. If you want I'll put in a post for you if you don't want to register etc. 2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
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8th Mar 2008 1:21 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Well, Looks pretty bad. Been on busy motorways in the wet? It looks like truck engine varnish, mixture of oil and diesel that gets sprayed around,
Looking at your picture it seem to come from the backwash air, are there more on the back of the car than the sides? If so chack underneath for any sign of leaks, even an exhaust gas or fluid leak can make this sort of mess.
Here are some suggestions for serious paint cleaning.
Petrol, Kerosene or Acrylic laquer thinner. Between them nothing resists.
Caution
Wear Gloves. All of these are not good for skin contact, Although I have been using them for 40 years of engine part cleaning, tar and insect removal and vehicle painting.
In each case they are applied sparingly to a plain paper towel and do not scrub. Do not leave them in contact with your paintwork. The paint is extremely strong but does have a limit. Too much exposure to solvent will make it go dull.
Wipe across a small area to test if it dissolves the spots. If so proceed but immediately rinse of each area with soapy water as you clean it, work from top to bottom of panels. You will also need to follow up with a good polish to reseal the paint.
A lot of wax polish products will dissolve stuff like this if you are patient. Kitten No1 polish applied generously can be left on the marks for a few minutes and then more applied in a polishing motion to clean up.
Basically this sort of clean up does take a long time and lot's of polish, I've spent a whole day cleaning many times in the past.
It will be very satifying when finished. If you are time poor like so many of use a detailing service or visit your local panel beater as they normally have people that can handle this sort of stuff easily.
Hope it comes good ok.
all the best
IanvTDV6
8th Mar 2008 3:06 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
It not tree sap, as it is certainly most prevalent in the areas behind the wheels. It is also on the back of the car. I do indeed do a lot of wet motorway driving. The car is on 95000 miles now, so actually looks very good considering how much use it gets.
Ken, I will be in touch, it needs a proper job doing. I am having to do quite a bit of work down your way at the moment.
It's just tar, oil and detritus. I wouldn't use anything harsh on the paint work. Go and buy a 'CLAYBAR' It is clay and removes all contaminants from the paintwork, leaving a totally smooth finish.
There could be a number of possible reasons, are your wheels in similar condition?
They might be 2 possible reasons.
1/ If white spirit dissolve the spots and they smear when wiped it is tar - white spirit will not harm the paint work, and it's slower evaporation will aid the softening of the spots.
2/ It could be brake disc material. I know it sounds odd but it has been proven that you get specs (fillings if you like) from the disc and pad material iron / copper etc. This burns it way into or onto the paint finish - this is a similar effect to you get if you let the sparks from a grinding wheel get on the paint work. this is not easy to cure without cutting the paint back.
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8th Mar 2008 7:03 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
Cheers. The tar remover did a good job of getting the tar off, that accounted for about 50% of the marks. The photo is taken after the tar remover has done its thing.
The little dots are not stains, they are a hard lump that can be picked off with a finger nail. When picked off, they leave little or no mark behind, maybe a small brown patch which wipes away.
I am sure it is brake material, as there is nothing in front of the front wheel or on the bonnet or roof. There is also nothing above the waist-line along the sides.
Thanks for all the advice, the weather has stopped play for now.
8th Mar 2008 7:27 pm
mobyone
Member Since: 23 Dec 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 394
You haven't been using an angle grinder anywhere the the car have you???
Tiny metal prticles that land on paint will eventually rust and react with the surface making it difficult to remove.
My guess is metal particles from the brake pads... What's the point.... it all comes out in the wash anyway!
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8th Mar 2008 10:47 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26699
No, not used the grinder near the car. Like you say, its brake debris.
9th Mar 2008 12:51 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
You should get a clay bar which will remove all of those debris bits & then top off with some polish.
There are quite a few around, Sonus claybars are OK. Only get a mild one to start off with though.
Sounds a bit geeky detailer wise, but will do the trick Bodsys Brake Bible
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