Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

[PY80]

Hi all !

Total noob here. First time I ever picked up car wax was last week.. thats how new I am to this..

Anyway, recently got a new car, Brilliant white - but now thinking maybe i should've gone for something like gunmetal !.

Whilst washing it i noticed a few small patches of what looks like orange (rust coloured ??) smudges on the paint work. I scoured the internet and found some reference to rail/brake dust causing orange spots but this is not that as far as i can see. I have attached a picture. it didn't come out quite well on photo but you can just about see what I mean.




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It seems to be under the clearcoat. I cannot feel it at all with my fingernail. OR could that be because waxed over it previously?

I was tempted to try some polish, but was hesitant to polish new paint unneccesarily. Thought I'd better get some expert advice before proceeding. What is it ?

Thanks in advance for anyones help.

Paul

[PY80]

Sorry, forgot to mention, the stain is just above the chrome trim.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

Looks like a stain. No need to worry, just use a paint cleaner like Ultimate Compound, Swirlx, or Ultimate Polish. Or use a cleaner/wax like A12 (maroon bottle) or Colorx (stronger than A12).

[PY80]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

Thanks Shawn for your reply. I hope its just a stain. Was concerned it was under the clear coat as it's totally smooth.

Theres another smaller spot on the roof and the drivers door too. What would stain like that ? Just so I know what to avoid in future.

I will give it a go this weekend and see how it goes.

[Redefined]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

I would suggest claybar as your first choice.

[STRIFE]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

^ my thoughts too.....claybar

[PY80]

My understanding is that a clay bars removes surface impurities. Things you can actually feel. The stain is completely smooth on the surface, to the point where I thought it was under the surface coat. would it still be able to pick it up?

[Murr1525]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

Clay can be good for a new car, and probably would pick up some other dirt.

But this would seem to want a paint cleaner as a starting point.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

Just because you can't feel it doesn't mean it's "under" the clear coat. In fact, if it were under the clear, you'd be done. There's simply no way to fix an issue between the color coat and clear coat without sanding off the clear and reshooting it. Clay is worth a shot as a first step since it is totally non-invasive. But that also means that if it is a stain down into the pores of the clear, which it may well be, then clay may not be all that effective and you'll need a mild paint cleaner to remove it. You'll know pretty quickly whether or not the clay is fixing it, so don't spend a ton of time on it if the clay isn't working. Application of a paint cleaner, from a mild cleaner wax all the way up to Ultimate Compound or beyond, should be done with a soft foam wax applicator pad and a bit of elbow grease to start. Work up in pressure and time of application if the stain isn't immediately removed, especially if you've never done this before. What you never want to do is scrub with a lot of force in a small space for any length of time. We've seen too many cases of people literally rubbing through their clear coat by hand when getting overly aggressive. That's usually when they're dealing with a small, confined scratch, but it can happen. Just ease into it and you'll be perfectly safe.

[PY80]

Thanks for the advice guys! I ordered a meg clay kit online, but whilst waiting for it to arrive over the weekend I got impatient and tried some polish I had lying around (soft 99 - japanese brand) and it came off beautifully. I know I should of waited to use the cleaner wax but it REALLY bugged me...

Did the plastic bag test over the bonnet and its really coarse.. Surprisingly so for a car that's just 3 weeks old.

I think this detailing business could become very addictive...

[Redefined]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

It is very addictive. Enjoy it

[Murr1525]

Re: Orange smudges/ stains on white paint.

Sounds about right for a new car.

Once your kit, etc comes in, you'll have it all shined up in no time.

I thought I knew what a clean, smooth surface was.. then I tried claying.