When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

[HealthyCivic]

I noticed sometimes there are some yellow/green bug poop, pollen, or other dirt spots that are pretty stubborn to get off the paint. The one's I'm talking about are illustrated in this thread. I'll do a full wash, rinse about 4 times, and go over once with a mitt (least invasive method) and the stuff will still be on the paint. I'll even finish drying and it will STILL be on the paint. So sometimes I'll use Last Touch right after to remove any water spots/dirt that is still on. Most of the time this works, but there's been a few times when the dirt is STILL on the paint.

In this case, I usually just leave it alone and it will probably come off anyway but do you guys suggest any other way to remove it? I refrain from making a bunch of passes or pressing down on the cloth/wash mitt in an effort to use the least invasive method that I learned from Mike Phillips. Do you guys ever resort to pressing down a little to get off tougher spots or is it smart to wait it out like I've been doing? Thanks.

By the way, I'm not talking about heavy caked on dirt. I'm just talking about a couple stubborn spots here and there.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

So the spots look like this?

(Pictures from the thread you linked to)






Can you chip or scrape these spots off with your fingernail?

[miahjohn]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

i have noticed that before too. a slight dirt film left over or water spots that would wash off if a little more pressure was used or several passes. Mike, it reminds me of the pics you posted of dirty water spots on your trcuk a week or so ago

[gsxr310]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

i get alot of these too! especially since i have a white truck, it is very noticeable. these come off by chipping away at them w/ my fingernail or rubbing it w/ my wash mitt. but is there a better way to remove them?

[the other pc]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Bug poop that’s not particularly water soluble is very common here in SoCal.

QD’ing barely touches it and washing may or may not remove it depending on your shampoo and how large/dried-on the specks are.

Clay should take it right off. So will a paint cleaner, cleaner/wax or bug&tar remover. You’ll want to wax afterward so it’s an ideal use for a cleaner/wax.


PC.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Yeah Mike, that's the stuff!

Is fingernailing it off safe?

[VonLego]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Clay time!!!

[HealthyCivic]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Clay time!!!

Well this stuff gets on between every wash. Does this mean I gotta clay every week?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Well this stuff gets on between every wash. Does this mean I gotta clay every week?

If it's in the air where you park your car then there's not much you can do outside of covering the car somehow...

[VonLego]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

I'd make sure to have a solid LSP on at all times, at least once a month application. If the dirt is thick right before you wax, might want to give it a clay.

Do you have a garage or something you can use? If not perhaps its time to start chopping down trees or plants attracting bugs! Ok that might be extreme... May have to clay every LSP application though.

[Mort Corey]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

I get those little buggers too Keeping a fresh coat of wax applied (monthly it seems in my case) allows a QD product to remove them easily. Using the fingernail works on some of the crispy ones, but it tweaks my gut to remove them in that manner. In a pinch, using my fingernail behind a MF cloth will often pop them loose. On the horizontal surfaces, letting the QD sit a little longer seems to help....assuming the surface is cool.

Mort

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

When I get those spots I use a liberal amount of qd on them. Let it dwell for a while. Then they come off easily. Then after I pretreat these areas. I use fresh m/f to qd the rest of the vehicle.

[V8Caprice]

Re: When Washing/QDing doesn't cut it?

Plastic razor blades might help too.