Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

[74454Vette]

I have a Dark Red '04 Ford F-150 with a matching A.R.E. LSX Series Tonneau Cover. This fall wet maple leaves fell on the truck, and even though they were only there for a day I have leaf outlines on the paint.

Can someone give me an idea on how to remove these outlines without destroying the paint finish?

Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Just saw your registration fly through!

This should be an easy fix, simply pick up a tube of ScratchX and apply using a soft, clean foam or microfiber applicator pad. Apply, work in well, and the wipe off. You don't need to let a paint cleaner dry as it's not a paint protectant but an intelligent replacement for old-fashioned rubbing and polishing compounds.

Afterwards, apply a coat or two of your favorite wax to protect the paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

List 'O Links

Many of the things we cover in our Saturday Classes are discussed and talked about in the threads found in the sub-forums of the Information Station


First read this,

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX



Then read these...

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
How To Remove Swirls By Hand
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line
Circles or Straight Lines?
Which LSP is Best for Light Colors
How to locate Meguiar's Professional & Detailer products in your hometown
How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test
The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"
What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes
What's the Deal with "Layering"?
Measuring Clear Coat Thickness
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer
Glass Polishing...Deep Cleaning
NXT Tech Wax Cure Time
Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
Colored Waxes - Do they really work?
PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
Why Meguiar's Recommends Polishing Paint
A Lesson From White Paint
Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[74454Vette]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

Thanks Mike, I'll pick up a tube tonight on my way home from work and give it a try. Thanks also for the nice welcome.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

Something else to check while your at it is whether or not your paint needs to be clayed. After washing and drying, feel the horizontal surfaces with the palm and finger tips of your clean hand; the paint should feel smooth and silky like brand new glass. If you fell any texture, like little bumps on the surface, this is an indicator you need to clay the paint and the wax the entire vehicle.

Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit

[Mark McGuire]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

Mike, just wondering. Does ScratchX have the same chemical cleaners in it as say, DC 1, or MPPC? Does the chemical makeup and acids in the leaves leave anything behind that one cleaner might take out of the paint but another would not be able to. I know its an in depth question, but I was just wondering.
TIA, Mark

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

Mike, just wondering. Does ScratchX have the same chemical cleaners in it as say, DC 1, or MPPC? Does the chemical makeup and acids in the leaves leave anything behind that one cleaner might take out of the paint but another would not be able to. I know its an in depth question, but I was just wondering.
TIA, Mark

We don't know. We know that ScratchX is a unique formula as compared to our other paint cleaners. How's that?

[Mark McGuire]

Re: Leaf Stains on F-150 Paint

I guess if you don't know, you don't know. Lots of things I don't know, that's why we ask questions.