Paint feels like sandpaper

[Paulprior]

Just trying to clean and polish my daughters mx5 but some surfaces feel really bad, like coarse sandpaper, the worst area is the passenger side door and wing, these areas where parked up near to some plants, the car was last polished about Christmas time and hasn’t been used since, I have tried assorted bug and tar removers and it comes off very slowly, any ideas on a product that might clean it ???

[the cueball]

I would try a clay bar/mitt.

[Fast Bug]

Yup needs a decent clay bar session. I use Bilt Hamber regular clay as you can use water as the lubricant. Top tip is to make a cup of tea and to pop the box on top of the steaming cup as it makes the clay a bit softer. You'll be amazed at the st that comes off the paint and on to the clay.

[Paulprior]

I have tried a G3 clay mitt but it hardly touched it, I have had it a couple of years, not sure how to tell when it’s worn out ??
One of my other cars that I always park up over winter always gets this problem to a lower getter over winter and the mitt has always fixed it quite easily, any ideas how I tell if it’s still good or not ??

[the cueball]

I’m still using my mitt I’ve had for 8 years.

Mind you, I’m still using clay I got over a decade ago too..

No hero’s get their clay manky lol.

Have you tried a low abrasive polish like AG super resin?

[Paulprior]

I haven’t tried that, I have and could try tomorrow, but I have tried Tcut which I assume is more abrasive but without any success

[the cueball]

Have you got a picture of the paint?

Could there have been a reaction with the clear coat?

If clay and polish doesn’t work, my next step is usually a wet sand, but that’s a bit of work.