Grit stuck to paint.

[grim_d]

Evening all.

Gave the car a very quick wash today to get the worst of the crap off and noticed that there is a large amount of what I can only describe as grit stuck to the paint, mostly on the rear quarters, it is definitely not tar.

Normal warm water washing nor pressure washing managed to shift it, I washed it twice.

A gentle pick with my nail manages to tease it off but obviously that is not much use.

Any ideas on what I could use to shift this crap? My bodywork is far from immaculate but I don't want to make it any worse, and right now it feels like 80 grit sandpaper

Cheers

[Defcon5]

Bug and tar remover? I realise it is neither bugs nor tar but I would think it will shift it

[grim_d]

I considered that, and I will pick some up when out and about tomorrow, though I assume that it works by softening up the bugs or tar making them easier to remove, as this is grit, it probably wont soften up.

I will give it a go though.

[Auto finesse]

What you need is to clay your paint work, its a pretty simple process and will remove (pretty much) anything bonded to the paint work.

Id reccomend this clay: http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/dodo-juice-paint-put...

and this lubricant: http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?man...

[grim_d]

I was hoping to not having to resort to claying but if nothing else works I will do.

Ive been looking at this kit recently though seeing as you suggested dodo juice, http://www.monzacarcare.com/products/?category_id=...

Probably worth getting anyway as i do need some wax, shabby bodywork or not better to not let it get any worse, im probably going to buy one of their polishers too.

[Auto finesse]

Claying is not as daunting as it all sounds, just follow the instructions and its fairly simple (if not a little time consuming). But the results are well worth the work (claying your paint work really dose alot for the overall finish).

A couple of tips:

Work small areas at a time, (to start with).

Make sure you fold the clay often.

Go over an area a few times folding the clay after each set and folding dirty side in to dirty side) and keep repeating till there is no transfer on the clay, only then have you done it properly.


The kit you linked is all great gear.

[PJ S]

If it's grit (not necessarily the stuff used for keeping roads from icing up) then I'd be wary about going to claying, without at least trying tar remover/wd40/white spirits/petrol - the latter two with a damp soapy cloth and sprayer beside you for removing them as soon as they've removed the grit,etc.
Stick to smaller areas too, don't get carried away and do half the car before thinking about removing them. The less time spent in contact with the paint, the better.

[Auto finesse]

As long as its not brick dust or alike you will be fine with clay, as i say follow the instructions (which will always say do a test section to make sure your not damaging paint work) you should be ok, im guessing it will be contamination from a tree or alike. 95% of owners i talk to with this problem it turns out to be this unless they live or work near some kind of huge industrial plant, or some work on the house with brick or stone cutting done, then it is usually tar and tree contamination, both of these types are easily removed with clay.

Id not recommend petrol, its really not friendly on rubber or plastic moldings.

[grim_d]

Thanks for all the advice guys but the car developed an issue with being very hard to go into first gear today so the bodywork is on the backburner!

Spent bloody £50 on supplies this morning aswell!

One i get this issue sorted i will get some clay.

[grim_d]

WD40 does seem to help remove the worst of it, just a bit concerned about dragging it along the paintwork. Though ive picked up some Meguiars scratch X 2.0 to help with that.

My dodo juice kit came through today so going to have a go at claying at the weekend after removing the worst of it with wd40, then over the full car with the scratch X then a wax with blue velvet, looking forward to it as I have not had a chance to properly clean the car since I got it.