Black Spots All Over The Car!

[V35 Matt]

For all the cleaning guru's, im getting these black spots all over the pant, mostly the roof and back, and they wont come off, washing, claying, nothing gets them off. havent tried the bug and tar remover yet but i want to find out what this stuff is before i throw everything at it and risk wrecking or swirling the paint.

Happened to my other white car, and i think my dad used a paste of some sort to get it off, might have been a cut polish, but i dont want to try stuff on the pearl paint if it'll swirl it up.

Anyone else had this problem?

My car has to be parked outside, so any tips for when i remove it to keep it off?

Thanks all!

[V35_Paul]

is it tree sap?

[ogz007]

bro, if claying doesnt do the job then it could be more serious... Try the bug and tar remover on a very small spot, make sure the surface is cool and strictly on the shade. claying is like cutting the very surface of the car already (by hand) so yeah dude. sounds really tough.. do you know wher it came from? that can help us out a little bit..

[V35 Matt]

well i park under tree's at work, sometimes, and under tree's at home, its just the area i live and work in.

Tree sap sounds it, but yea, they claying did nothing really. Unless i did it wrong?

I'll get a photo, but the stuff is very rough to the touch.

[Oaksey]

I've found Meguiar's Paint Cleaner will get rid of a lot of stubborn stuff quite well, actually worked great on my headlights too, got rid of that slightly hazy look. As for sap I don't know but it's says it's non-abrasive so it shouldn't hurt to try. Has also worked well on previous cars to get rid of black specs from around the exhaust, as well as getting rid of mild oxidisation. You would generally want to do this before you polish, so you don't put a layer of polish over any marks and as all this does is clean you want to put a protective coat on afterwards.

[V35 Matt]

Ah, i'll give it a go.

Thanks for the tip!

[Touge Kyousou]

Ok need to clear some things up..

Claying is not cutting your paint. You are NOT removing any clearcoat by claying though you will most likely mar it slightly.

Do not hesitate to use bug and tar remover, just remember to thoroughly clean afterwards and wax the area you just applied the bug and tar remover to.

For some contaminants, a clay bar will work better whereas for some others bug and tar remover will work better.

In general, black spots are tar spots but they shouldn't be on the roof etc. Seeing as you're parked under trees, more likely tree sap or berry/fruit sap. A clay bar will remove this. If your clay bar did nothing, either you're doing it wrong or you need a different grade of clay for the job.

A macro photo would help. If you're still having problems, i suggest you create a thread over at www.detailparadise.com.au asking for help.

FWIW, i used to be a detailer.

Oh and, bug and tar remover shouldn't swirl your paint. And even if you do somehow do so, the V35 paint is very soft and therefore extremely easy to restore a perfect finish. Talk about a orange peely paint though =/

[ogz007]

+1 ^ i find meguires tools work quite well for DIY weekend jobs.

in terms of claying, you will have to wash the car first to get rid of the dirt. then meguires clay kit. they are about 40 bux so its not to bad. after claying you would have to polish then wax. you probably have to be quite motivated to do this because it is very time consuming! hehe.

probably give this link a read, I found it quite helpful. The Clay kit meguire comes with the detailer mist spray already so just double check the box prior to buying it.

http://www.autogeek.net/megovclay.html

oh just to share to you what my problem was, I brought my car for a front bumper re spray, i left it with them for a week and when i got the car back it was full of paint dust... everything was rough ass like a sand paper, only way to get rid of it is by scraping my nail on top of it. So i ended up calling mark straight away and problem solved. he told me how i can do it or how he can do it for a peace of mind. (Hence my car is Black Obsidian)

I tried washing and polishing it wouldt take it out. Tried cutting paste and no result.. so claying was my last option. I tried claying and it worked, it took out about 35% of the paint dust so i can see better results even just little by little. I booked in mark so he can do it for me in the right way since hell be working on the car for atleast 6 hours, plus interior needs a good conditioning too and exterior full of sh*t load.

End of the day I guess i just wanted to try for myself for a satisfaction that it wouldnt be permanent and for my future DIY job. Anyway thats claying for yah! hehe

[V35 Matt]

Ok need to clear some things up..

Claying is not cutting your paint. You are NOT removing any clearcoat by claying though you will most likely mar it slightly.

Do not hesitate to use bug and tar remover, just remember to thoroughly clean afterwards and wax the area you just applied the bug and tar remover to.

For some contaminants, a clay bar will work better whereas for some others bug and tar remover will work better.

In general, black spots are tar spots but they shouldn't be on the roof etc. Seeing as you're parked under trees, more likely tree sap or berry/fruit sap. A clay bar will remove this. If your clay bar did nothing, either you're doing it wrong or you need a different grade of clay for the job.

A macro photo would help. If you're still having problems, i suggest you create a thread over at www.detailparadise.com.au asking for help.

FWIW, i used to be a detailer.

Oh and, bug and tar remover shouldn't swirl your paint. And even if you do somehow do so, the V35 paint is very soft and therefore extremely easy to restore a perfect finish. Talk about a orange peely paint though =/

Your the man to talk to then.

In light i can see swirls, not too bad, but there, maybe other owner didnt look after it as much as me.

I'll try the bug / tar remover, and see how i go.

I'll get a photo soon and then i'll get it to a detailer to make it new, then keep it awesome from there.

Guess you cant polish a turd

[our12]

Your the man to talk to then.

In light i can see swirls, not too bad, but there, maybe other owner didnt look after it as much as me.

I'll try the bug / tar remover, and see how i go.

I'll get a photo soon and then i'll get it to a detailer to make it new, then keep it awesome from there.

Guess you cant polish a turd

Hi.

We have on the forums been through this problem before.

It is most probably from the trees you park under. Tree sap is a type of wax which is difficult to remove with solvent cleaners.

Go to the kitchen and under the sink get the bottle of washing up detergent and a pair of rubber gloves . Boil water add detergent and apply (water must be hot) then hose off

immediately. This always works for me and no it will not hurt your paint and will save you money.

[mjay]

Try n get it off asap Matt.. like bird shit the longer you leave sap on there the more likely it'll damage the paint

[V35 Matt]

Hi.

We have on the forums been through this problem before.

It is most probably from the trees you park under. Tree sap is a type of wax which is difficult to remove with solvent cleaners.

Go to the kitchen and under the sink get the bottle of washing up detergent and a pair of rubber gloves . Boil water add detergent and apply (water must be hot) then hose off

immediately. This always works for me and no it will not hurt your paint and will save you money.

wash it with a sponge when i do it? or a mitt?

Thanks, i'll be giving everything a go on wednesday.

First the hot water and dishwash liquid.

Then the tar and bug remover.

Then to the detailer after ive done that and see what i could do, and what he can do!

[our12]

Hi again.

I would either although i do prefer my suede lined mitt. Once i have it on dont like to take it off

[Touge Kyousou]

Hi again.

I would either although i do prefer my suede lined mitt. Once i have it on dont like to take it off

Lol... oh dear i've got a dirty mind sorry our12!

Ok, with alot of detergent...it contains salt. Which scratches paint when rubbed so i wouldn't really advise this method. I know it works, but it will micro scratch your clear coat (scratches you see in the sun).

I'm quite certain the damage from a clay bar will be less than fine salt rubbed on your paint. Also, if you LIBERALLY apply clay lubricant, you shouldn't mar the clear coat.

V35matt,

Hehe yeah swirls are pesky damn things. The V35 paint is really soft so while it polishes/cuts very easily, it also scratches quite easily. One of the first things i did when i got my V35 was a complete paint polish which removed all swirls and really brought the pearl out. Hrmm it's actually due for another one *sigh*

[V35_Paul]

I've found Meguiar's Paint Cleaner will get rid of a lot of stubborn stuff quite well, actually worked great on my headlights too, got rid of that slightly hazy look. As for sap I don't know but it's says it's non-abrasive so it shouldn't hurt to try. Has also worked well on previous cars to get rid of black specs from around the exhaust, as well as getting rid of mild oxidisation. You would generally want to do this before you polish, so you don't put a layer of polish over any marks and as all this does is clean you want to put a protective coat on afterwards.

keen to try it on my headlights thanks

[V35 Matt]

So what i'll do tomoz is clay, with liberal amount of the detailing spray.

If that doesnt work i'll go with the bug and tar remover.

Then wash, then polish? i really want to bring the pearl out.

Then i might go to Dr detail.

TK, i was advised not to cut wax / polish the pearl, good advise or not? is cutting fine?

Also, whats a good paint polish and which step would you do that?

Wash, clay, wash, paint polish, normal polish>?

or is normal polish paint polish?

Thanks

[ogz007]

wash car, spray, clay, spray, clay, wipe, polish, then wax.

[V35_Paul]

just get the "ENJO" glove out and everything will be fine

[Touge Kyousou]

Yep give the clay bar a good go with lots of clay lubricant. Start off soft but with many passes and gradually increase pressure till you see a result. It's kinda hard to describe...

If no good, yep try bug and tar remover and if still no good then try the fingernail lol. But by then, be prepared to polish afterwards.

Once contaminant is removed, you'll want to wash the area or use a quick detail spray to clean area (or just wash whole car)

Then depending what you want to do, you can either

A) Wax areas you cleaned the contaminant from

b)Polish whole car. A good polish will remove all waxes and sealants so you will want to follow up with wax or sealant+wax etc.

Polishing pearl paint is fine, heavy cutting may be an issue though but i guarantee you won't need to do any heavy cutting for normal swirls or a V35.

A good polish is the Poorboys range, and they go in numbers. It's called Poorboys SSR2.0 for e.g. or SSR2.5

You will find these products at boutique detailing shops (mostly online). I use www.waxit.com.au myself.

As for a step guide for a medium detail on your V35, i'd recommend

-Good wash

-Claybar whole vehicle

-Rinse down or speed detail off the clay lubricant

-Polish (Just use one that strips off old wax and also polishes...called AIO/All in one products)

-Buff off polish residue

-Apply sealant

AND/OR

-Apply wax

Sealant and wax combinations are very personal and depending on what you want e.g. durability or max show, that will dictate what you use

-Buff off sealant residue

-Buff off wax residue

-Sit car in sun for one hour preferably to allow sealant/wax to melt and bond with paint (or use towel and hot bucket of water...i think this is what Final Inspection do but PITA if you ask me).

-Interior/trim clean and dressing etc

-Wheels clean and dressing etc.

Oh i forgot to mention, to do a good polish job...you really want to use some kind of machine and foam pad/s. You can go by hand if you want...but your arm will probably fall off

I know it sounds lengthy and it is to be honest...but the results are well worth it for a fussy owner. Plus you're saving yourself alot of money (provided you have most of the equipment already) and will learn every inch of your car's paint.

Also, if you do the above process well, there will be no discernable difference between your effort and a pro's. I would NEVER pay 1K for a detail... the most i ever charged when i did detailing was a bit under $300 =/

Here's some pics to show what you can do with a little time and only entry level boutique products.. Even retail top shelf products like Mothers and Meguiars give awesome results...all in the paint prep really.

Sorry..no detailing shots of my V35 lol

Got plenty on the mazda as that was my test subject when i first got into it lol.

So what i'll do tomoz is clay, with liberal amount of the detailing spray.

If that doesnt work i'll go with the bug and tar remover.

Then wash, then polish? i really want to bring the pearl out.

Then i might go to Dr detail.

TK, i was advised not to cut wax / polish the pearl, good advise or not? is cutting fine?

Also, whats a good paint polish and which step would you do that?

Wash, clay, wash, paint polish, normal polish>?

or is normal polish paint polish?

Thanks

Edited March 24, 2009 by Touge Kyousou

[ogz007]

Meguires NXT GEN Tech wax is great for a DIY job.