Rust stain,spores, dirt - how to get this looking good again

[Tim Cognito]

Life has got in the way and i've neglected our van a bit and I would like to get it looking as good as possible again.

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to this stuff, two bucket method and some 10 year old Super Resin Polish is as far as I go.

There's a few areas in particular which are letting it down. Any help would be much appreciated :-)

Something under the door handle is rusting and it's left this stain, any ideas for how I can remove it without damaging the paint?


Side skirts have this bonding around the tops of them which is looking a bit grubby. Would prefer to avoid the faff of removing it all and re-sealing but may have to accept the inevitable...


Damaged paint here, anything which can make it look less bad?


The roof and bonnet is covered in these tiny black dots which take some serious elbow grease to get out using a microfibre sponge and autoglym shampoo, is there any product which will help shift it?

[Belle427]

Super resin Polish should deal with the staining, tar remover for the other bits that do look like tar spots.
You can also buy a fallout remover which may help too, a small detailing brush too to get into all the gaps.
Normal shampoo will probably deal with the crud in the gaps.

[Tim Cognito]

Belle427 said:

Super resin Polish should deal with the staining, tar remover for the other bits that do look like tar spots.
You can also buy a fallout remover which may help too, a small detailing brush too to get into all the gaps.
Normal shampoo will probably deal with the crud in the gaps.

Thanks for the advice, I don't think the spots are tar, I've had that before and it cleans off differently. These are all over the bonnet and roof.

[p4cks]

i'd suggest a clay bar mitt too

https://www.amazon.co.uk/G3-Pro-7191-Deep-Clean/dp...

[Belle427]

A good dose of fallout remover all over is never a bad idea on a neglected car.
Bilt Hamber do a good one, Autoglym also if your going to halfords.
Garage Therapy do a decon shampoo which is a stronger deep cleaning product and useful for a wash once every 6 months.

[Deviation]

p4cks said:

i'd suggest a clay bar mitt too

https://www.amazon.co.uk/G3-Pro-7191-Deep-Clean/dp...

Not unless you’re polishing


Use a strong fallout remover like Bilt Hamber Korrosol.


If I m doing a decon wash I ll use 2L+ so don t go light. Use out of the heat


Edit: black dots likely to be paint, as strange place for tar

Edited by Deviation on Thursday 17th July 07:33

[McGee_22]

Instead of expensive detailing brushes just buy the cheapest toothbrushes (£1 for 4 in Sainburys IIRC) and use them for the crevices when you wash the car - they are also good for getting rid of any small moss and mildew build up if you happen to park under or near trees.