mcb55-210

My wife parked her Cadillac next to a lawn sprinkler system at work and managed to get the car sprayed, then cooked in the hot sun. I washed the car with good soapy water, tried a clay bar, (figuring it wouldn't do anything), and even tried a polishing compound to try to remove the spots. Haven't found anything that works. There are still spots visible in the paint.

Anyone have any ideas?



Mike

Bushpilot

Try a boat shop, the only product that I found that will take white water stains off is called Babes Spot Solver, it is pink. I got it with my new black boat. It will leave a little film that can be cleaned with glass cleaner. It took 5 year old water spots off my boat glass in seconds. Kevin

corvetteronw

mcb55-210

Thanks for the suggestions. Going to try the distilled vinegar later today (since I have some here at home) and see if it works. If not, I'll have to go to plan B.

Mike

Frankie the Fink

Yeah - try the vinegar...the least aggressive route you can go is always the best. Otherwise I think you're in for some fun with rubbing compound...

I like the Turtle Wax stuff in the green "ketchup bottle"....not real abrasive and I'd rather use muscle than go too deep...

Powershift

Did she learn an lesson(s) from this incident??

Larry

Augie 79

If none of the above work for you, Look up "Metal wax" on YouTube. It was the only thing that worked for me a few years ago.
augie

mcb55-210

Vinegar didn't work-think the damage is too severe. Tried some swirl and scratch remover and think I finally found what it is going to take to get rid of the spots. And it is going to take some time. Took a half hour to do just the trunk lid by hand, but really looks good.

Will get back to it tomorrow night, and hope it goes well.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Mike

Mike67nv

I’d be real careful using vinegar, it can be 4-5% acetic acid - it brings acid rain to mind.

I have always been a Meguiar’s guy and would recommend starting with their Fine-Cut Cleaner # 2. If that didn’t take it off, I would go to their Medium-Cut Cleaner # 1. They also have some clear coat rubbing compounds but I have never tried them. I’m pretty old school using a cleaner when needed, Show Car Glaze # 7, and then Hi-Tech Yellow Wax # 26 to finish it.

I assume you have a Dual Action Polisher with an assortment of foam pads if you’ve been polishing cars for a while?

SonnyAK

Maybe give a Claybar a try with a good detail spray as lubrication.

mcb55-210

Well, it took over eight hours total to get the car clean once again. Tried a few different suggestions, but what ended up working was using Swirl and Scratch remover, followed by 3M Ultrafine polish, and finally a good hand-rubbed coat of wax. With bright lighting in my shop, it was pretty easy to see the damage, but am pleased with the results. The hood was the toughest-I know I made 6 passes with the buffer before I was happy.

I honor you guys that do that for a living. Usually my patience wears thin and I try shortcuts. This time I stuck with it and am glad it is done.

Oh, and both my wife and I will definitely pay attention to where we park from now on!

Mike