Hi all, I've just recently signed up to the forum but I've been lurking for a while. Most of my questions are usually answered by searching. I can't find an answer to my issue anywhere. The problem is these little dark bumps all over the right side of my car. I thought it was tree sap because the car is parked in the driveway next to a tree. After a little research it sounds like it's aphid droppings. I tried everything to get the spots off (Tarminator, bug squash, no 7 bug and tar, APC, clay bar). I can get the main chunk off with any of the above products. There is a spot left on the paint that's almost level. The only way for me to get that off is by using my finger nail. Unfortunately there are about ten thousand of these spots all over the car. Any suggestions? Thanks
Thanks for the quick response. I don't think it's mold as it is gooey (lack of a better word). I can take a large chunk of it off with a clay bar. It's just that last bit that is difficult.
Could you provide some pictures? It sounds to me like pitch from a tree. I've had something similiar but not to the extreme that you're describing.
I tried taking pictures but I have a real crappy camera. The spots aren't really showing up. If it is pitch, how do I remove it? Would a more aggressive clay work? I used the clay magic blue and the Meg smooth surface both just removed the top layer. They do nothing for the leftover.
tried diesel on a spounge? If it is tar the diesel will get the most of but make sure you wash the car and degrease it after you try diesel. I have done i to my own car and it works, i never saw any damage to my paint either.
try 91% isopropyl alcohol - you can get this at walgreens /cvs etc. Don't get the green liuid Wet a towel with the 91%IPA and let it sit on the spot for a few minutes.
i don't whats available in your country but i buy any degreaser at the local gas station. Diesel is a very fat product so you need something that can desolve fat. isopropyl alcohol is a good product to desolve diesel.. well it's good against everything almost. But i don't find it so effective on tar spots. (if thats what it is) I had like a million of small spots on a ford focus i did last weekend and i used som menzerna final finish on a towel by hand and that took care of the all but i was a pain in the ass to do. And if its a million like i had you should use the machine to do it. But i didn't have mine with me. If you decide to polish them out i would recommend that you polish the out the clean the surfice good and the polish again otherwise you could end up with some swirls.
Klean-Strip Prep-All Wax & Grease Remover - GSW362 This stuff may help. As mentioned above polishing may do the trick.
Unfortunately that's the only thing that's working. It's just taking forever. I can't get it all done in one day. Thanks for all the suggestions. Another questions. When using something like prepall does it needs to be washed off or can I just go to polich or LSP?
Your not gonna beleive this, but 1 of my regular monthly's car that I'm doing today had that crap all over the rr qtr pnl, deck lid, and what for it......Convrt top :yikes: I spent 3 hours this morning washing, scrubing, finger nail pickin removing this crap. When my customer pointed this out to me this morning, I thought of you lol Keep it up >>>>> :support:
Full Stenght APC. Keep the surface wet with water, them spray APC. Then use your fingernails. The car I worked on has had probally a good 30 coats of Wax/Sealant + it had only been on there 2-3 days. If your making progress, but its taking more time then you have. Then just do a section at a time as time permits :support:
Artillery Fungus Small black specks (artillery fungus); these resemble asphalt (tar) spots but could be the spore of artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus) they look very much like tar spots and are usually about 1/10th-inch in diameter. The term artillery refers to the fact that the fungus actively uses energy to shoot its spore masses, sort of like cannon (an artillery piece). It is a fungus that lives in wood-based mulch, the spores are usually shot only a short distance (several feet) but the wind can carry them for longer distances. They can be removed by using a chemical paint cleaner (Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner or Klasse All-In-One) or plastic razor blade to scrape and remove the spot. If the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water.
