Urgent Help Needed

[srhutch]

Parked the wifes car at Ashford International Multi sorey for four days this week, to find what I thought was a bad case of bird sh!t as well as all the salt and crap off the roads.

Upon washing today the bird sh!t or whatever it is hasnt come off. I have spend an hour or so with clay and a mix of shampoo and water trying to remove, although some has come off the large areas dont seem to be reducing.

I have also tried some tar/bug remover but dont think this helped in any way. I nearly got the PC out but thought it might remove the paint either side but not the crap.

Anybody have any ideas how to remve?

 

[Wondermike]

No expert, but if it doesn't come out with a claybar then it looks like whatever it was has eaten some of the clearcoat away

 

[Cloudberry]

Seems to be a big bird ... . As this "whatever it is" seems to be as a layer upon the paint, you may try to use some rubber compound. As rubbing removes dirt mechanically, be careful when you apply it. After the exercise you'll need to wax the area.

Good luck

 

[srhutch]

No expert, but if it doesn't come out with a claybar then it looks like whatever it was hes eaten some of the clearcoat away

Wondermike, I dont think that is the case here luckily, I managed to remove one large patch fairly easily, but not sure why, it may have been soaked with tar/bug remover. It is coming off but very very slowly.

 

[srhutch]

Seems to be a big bird ... . As this "whatever it is" seems to be as a layer upon the paint, you may try to use some rubber compound. As rubbing removes dirt mechanically, be careful when you apply it. After the exercise you'll need to wax the area.

Good luck

Do you reckon it's worth ago with the PC then and some Swirl removing type product?

 

[srhutch]

The good news is it doesnt appear to have eaten the clearcoat, as I had a quick go with the PC, but didnt carry on as I am sure the clearcoat round the edge would wear away before the crap.

The second pic clearly shows the crap being removed from the bottom half.

I think I need to soak these areas to be able to remove easier, any ideas, or better suggestions?

 

[Rick Hunter]

Sorry... I don't have any useful suggestions for you.

But I did find your big bird though. Took care of him... won't be bothering you again mate.

 

[srhutch]

thanks Rick, shame you didnt get the bugger before he shat all over the car :x

 

[ay8306]

I would try one of the specialty solvents used by body shops to prep-clean surfaces before doing body work. Back when I used to play around doing a bit of body work, I used both R&M Pre-Kleano and Sherwin Williams Sher-Will-Clean with good success. These products are very effective at stripping any grease, tar, or wax, but should not harm your paint. As these products are very effective at stripping any surface protectant, be sure to reapply wax or sealant after use.

 

[srhutch]

Hadnt though of that I have some Sonus Paint cleaner, got to be worth a shot

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-400.html

 

[ay8306]

I agree that the Sonus cleaner is worth a shot .. but the stuff I am talking about is a bit different. It is actually a solvent. IF it will work on the gunk that's on your car, it will do so with minimal rubbing or buffing. Even though I do not do any body work anymore, I keep a can of Pre-Kleano on hand to clean any nasty tar or bug stains. However, it will not work on something like a water spot stain which needs to be mechanicly removed.

 

[ay8306]

Could that have been something spilled on the car like a soda or a sugary soft drink? If someone dumped something like that on your car, it could have mixed with the road salt/sand and then dried to form a residue.

 

[srhutch]

Could that have been something spilled on the car like a soda or a sugary soft drink? If someone dumped something like that on your car, it could have mixed with the road salt/sand and then dried to form a residue.

Could well be, as said car was parked in multi storey at train station for four days, what ever it was initially ran down the panels or did this when the temperature increased and ice melted. Will try the Sonus tonight, and have asked a couple of the detailing suppliers I use to recommend any products that may help.

 

[srhutch]

An update for you, I ordered some Meguiars Agressive clay as this was suggested, but no better than the standard clay.

So I tried the PC using a cutting product which helped, but I was getting concerned about the clearcoat being removed around the stain and not removing the stain quick enough.

In the end I have found the only effective way to remove is to soak the stain by placing a wet kitchen towel over it for 20 mins or so and then using my thumb nail to scratch off. This seems the only way to remove, and my nail doesnt seem to scratch the paint.

The above pic is the final one with some P21s on it, just got to remove the stains from the bonnet, front wing and rear wing now, another six hours and it should be done.

 

[paddy wright]

what type of car is all this damage on?

 

[srhutch]

wifes astra, shes only had it three weeks although it's nearly three years old.

 

[paddy wright]

paint quality seems very poor!

 

[srhutch]

paint quality seems very poor!

What makes you say that?

 

[paddy wright]

for bird dirt to penetrate so badly!

 

[srhutch]

To be honest I dont think it was bird crap, and it dont believe it has penetrated just adhered as I would think it would leave marks if it had penetrated. I havent had time to detail the car so it's as the dealer prepared and we all know how good they are.

What ever it was ran down the side of the car from top to bottom, I have never had bird crap do that, I think something was poured over it when parked at Ashford Intenational for the four days we were in france or it was used as target practice.

Doubt I will ever find out what it is but just glad it's coming off.