What the hell?!? And how do I get it off?!

doinoyou79 · 08-10-2007, 10:08 PM

So I washed my car this evening and I'm just about done. I begin to towel dry when I bend down towards the right front tire and notice it's still a lil' rough along the paint. So I figure I must've missed a spot or two of caked-on dirt. I look closely and realize it's worse than I thought! I still can't confirm what it is, but it looks as if some road paint that got splattered up along the bottom of the car from the right front tire to the rear tire. The driver's side is completely clean though. Not very noticeable from afar, but up close you see a LOT of tiny specks of this crap. Again, all along the bottom of the passenger side. It comes off, but only if I use my fingernail to scrape at it. It would take hours if not days for me to sit there and go through each one of those specks. I was able to remove more of it by scrubbing it hard cotton towel and a non-acetone based nail polish remover that I found in my fiance's cabinet. (tested in a hidden spot before applying) Any ideas as to how I can get if off more efficiently? Bug & tar remover possibly?

Kid Eh · 08-10-2007, 10:10 PM

Use a clay bar.

ZuerstBMW · 08-10-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Eh

Use a clay bar.

+1

doinoyou79 · 08-10-2007, 10:17 PM

thanks guys! i've never used a clay bar before, but i'll give it a whirl tomorrow. hope it works! thanks again...

Driver72 · 08-10-2007, 10:21 PM

Yup Clay Bar takes off all kinds of crap.
Get a Mother's Clay Bar kit, should be good to go.
If that for some reason does not work, contact ADHD on this site, he's a detailer.

ZuerstBMW · 08-10-2007, 10:21 PM

Just make sure your paint is wet before you use clay bar or you will scratch the paint. Good luck.

tmon25 · 08-10-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZuerstBMW

+1

+2

If your going to do this. Wash your car with dish washing detergent (to remove wax and it removes more dirt than usual car soap). Clay bar the entire car. Then wax it. You'll feel much better. I do this every year at least once or twice . It keeps the paint feeling like silk.

BTW, brake dust resolution. Wax your rims after you wash. Next time you wash it's easier to take out. Spray with water and it'll wash away. If it's still a little dirty just wipe. No scrubbing necessary. No brushes. After the 3rd or 4th wash might be time to reapply wax on rims.

oldaccount · 08-10-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZuerstBMW

Just make sure your paint is wet before you use clay bar or you will scratch the paint. Good luck.

not wet with water, lubed.

ZuerstBMW · 08-10-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suareezay

not wet with water, lubed.

Sorry, thats what I meant (the stuff the clay bar comes with.)

tmon25 · 08-10-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZuerstBMW

Sorry, thats what I meant (the stuff the clay bar comes with.)

If you finish the bottle water is fine. As long as it is wet when you use the clay bar. Always re-shape the clay bar.

wesley_willis · 08-10-2007, 11:08 PM

most likely tar. it should come off really easily with bug and tar remover.

oldaccount · 08-10-2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmon25

If you finish the bottle water is fine. As long as it is wet when you use the clay bar. Always re-shape the clay bar.

water does not work, it doesnt provide the same amount of lubrication and WILL mar the finish. Water + car shampoo can work, but some people report their clays crumbling after claying with water = car shampoo.

dawgdog · 08-11-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmon25

+2

If your going to do this. Wash your car with dish washing detergent (to remove wax and it removes more dirt than usual car soap). Clay bar the entire car. Then wax it. You'll feel much better. I do this every year at least once or twice . It keeps the paint feeling like silk.

BTW, brake dust resolution. Wax your rims after you wash. Next time you wash it's easier to take out. Spray with water and it'll wash away. If it's still a little dirty just wipe. No scrubbing necessary. No brushes. After the 3rd or 4th wash might be time to reapply wax on rims.

No real need to remove wax prior to claying the car.

raleedy · 08-11-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawgdog

No real need to remove wax prior to claying the car.

Mudflaps! The same aerodynamics and turnunder will cause the wheels to sandblast the finish over time when you drive through loose gravel or dirt. Mudflaps are the only alternative to repainting.

Driver72 · 08-11-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmon25

Wash your car with dish washing detergent

BTW, don't do this!!
You need to use car soap or a low acidic mild soap on your car.
Many high acidic soaps harm the clearcoat.

Again, just buy the Mother's Clay Bar kit and follow the instructions.
It has everything you need to do the job right.

doinoyou79 · 08-11-2007, 05:33 PM

so I got the Mother's Clay Bar Kit but it didn't work. i did use it on my entire car though leaving it nice and smooth. but as far as my original concern, it helped nada. so i ended up just sitting there for a hour or so buffing it out with non-acetone nail polish remover on a microfiber towel. it did no damage to my paint and got that crap off. just took a lil' longer and a lil' more energy than i planned on. thanks for the advice anyways fellas!

E90330iS · 08-11-2007, 06:10 PM

Good to hear, did the clay bar take off your wax though?

2007_E93 · 08-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90330iS

Good to hear, did the clay bar take off your wax though?

Yeah,...dont forget to re-wax after all that. Good to hear you got it resolved though.

YULY · 08-12-2007, 09:43 PM

is it a good habit to use dish soap before I re-wax my car? would clay be a better option?

oldaccount · 08-12-2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YULY

is it a good habit to use dish soap before I re-wax my car? would clay be a better option?

the whole idea behind it is to remove wax/grease whatever.

i dont do it, simply because im afraid it could (possibly) dry out moldings.

you should be removing bugs/tar/grease/whatever with an automotive APC/citrus degreaser/bug & tar remover before doing a full detail anyway, which would take the place of the Dawn.

and even if you dont need to, the claying (and polishing if you do this - which you should) will remove the wax anyway.

i doubt it will harm anything in the short term, but over time, continued dawn washings could funk some chit up.

sinnet112 · 08-12-2007, 09:54 PM

Also remember never to use your fingernail to scrape the paint. That leaves scratches like no other...

Chesmu · 08-13-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmon25

+2

If your going to do this. Wash your car with dish washing detergent (to remove wax and it removes more dirt than usual car soap). Clay bar the entire car. Then wax it. You'll feel much better. I do this every year at least once or twice . It keeps the paint feeling like silk.

BTW, brake dust resolution. Wax your rims after you wash. Next time you wash it's easier to take out. Spray with water and it'll wash away. If it's still a little dirty just wipe. No scrubbing necessary. No brushes. After the 3rd or 4th wash might be time to reapply wax on rims.

DO NOT USE DISH DETERGENT ON YOUR CAR.

08-10-2007, 10:08 PM	#1
doinoyou79 Private 22 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW G05 X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 'Burbs of Detroit iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	What the hell?!? And how do I get it off?! So I washed my car this evening and I'm just about done. I begin to towel dry when I bend down towards the right front tire and notice it's still a lil' rough along the paint. So I figure I must've missed a spot or two of caked-on dirt. I look closely and realize it's worse than I thought! I still can't confirm what it is, but it looks as if some road paint that got splattered up along the bottom of the car from the right front tire to the rear tire. The driver's side is completely clean though. Not very noticeable from afar, but up close you see a LOT of tiny specks of this crap. Again, all along the bottom of the passenger side. It comes off, but only if I use my fingernail to scrape at it. It would take hours if not days for me to sit there and go through each one of those specks. I was able to remove more of it by scrubbing it hard cotton towel and a non-acetone based nail polish remover that I found in my fiance's cabinet. (tested in a hidden spot before applying) Any ideas as to how I can get if off more efficiently? Bug & tar remover possibly? __________________ Livin' it up!
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08-10-2007, 10:10 PM	#2
Kid Eh I used to be conceited, now I'm perfect. 570 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	Use a clay bar. __________________ 2018 M3 CS - Alpine White l l "I used to be conceited. Now I'm perfect"
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08-10-2007, 10:17 PM	#4
doinoyou79 Private 22 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW G05 X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 'Burbs of Detroit iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	thanks guys! i've never used a clay bar before, but i'll give it a whirl tomorrow. hope it works! thanks again... __________________ Livin' it up!
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08-10-2007, 10:21 PM	#5
Driver72 Brigadier General 327 Rep 4,484 Posts Drives: 335i - to new owners now. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Yup Clay Bar takes off all kinds of crap. Get a Mother's Clay Bar kit, should be good to go. If that for some reason does not work, contact ADHD on this site, he's a detailer.
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08-10-2007, 10:21 PM	#6
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 373 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Mineral White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Apollo Beach, FL. iTrader: (68)	Just make sure your paint is wet before you use clay bar or you will scratch the paint. Good luck. __________________ 23 G42 230i Mineral White Cognac, Aluminum With Mesh Effect Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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08-10-2007, 11:08 PM	#11
wesley_willis Private First Class 4 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	most likely tar. it should come off really easily with bug and tar remover. __________________ 2008 335i Coupe, Monaco Blue and Saddle Brown/Gray Poplar ZPP, ZSP, HD Radio, CA, iPod+USB Production Completed Oct. 16th; Left for the US on the 23rd of Oct. via INTEGRITY; Delivery 11/16
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08-11-2007, 05:33 PM	#16
doinoyou79 Private 22 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW G05 X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 'Burbs of Detroit iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	so I got the Mother's Clay Bar Kit but it didn't work. i did use it on my entire car though leaving it nice and smooth. but as far as my original concern, it helped nada. so i ended up just sitting there for a hour or so buffing it out with non-acetone nail polish remover on a microfiber towel. it did no damage to my paint and got that crap off. just took a lil' longer and a lil' more energy than i planned on. thanks for the advice anyways fellas! __________________ Livin' it up!
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08-11-2007, 06:10 PM	#17
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Good to hear, did the clay bar take off your wax though? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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08-12-2007, 09:43 PM	#19
YULY Private First Class 10 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 2008 328i coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fairfax iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	is it a good habit to use dish soap before I re-wax my car? would clay be a better option?
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08-12-2007, 09:54 PM	#21
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	Also remember never to use your fingernail to scrape the paint. That leaves scratches like no other... __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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