Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

[rhinnard]

I live in Southern California and have noticed for quite a few years that these small yellow (mustard looking) spots appear on my cars. Just bought a new Lexus with a very dark blue paint and, of course, this color shows much worse than the lighter colored cars I had.

Does anyone know what this stuff really is. I have heard: jet fuel, bee droppings, bee pollen, bee nectar, hummingbird droppings, tree pollen and just general industrial fallout from air polution.

For what it's worth, the spots do seem to be waxy and will smear if still wet. After drying they also etch the clear coat and leave a mark that only shows if viewed at the correct angle.


Do folks in other parts of the US have this stuff or just Southern California?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

[GTBrad]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

I have them and I have come to the conclusion that they are bird droppings

[cute02spec]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

I had them in Wyoming, and I concluded that it was tree pollen because in the spring/summer time my car would be covered in it, and then it all suddenly went away. The spots behaved just as you described, too.

[TripleDES]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

I'll take a guess and say they are bug splatter.

[Dynamicd]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

By what you describe,,,,I would say it is definitely bird droppings. These are from little birds. Here in Central NY I watch an assortment of different bird bombs all year round. Gee,,,,some of the more exotic ones look like a squeezed blueberry! It may sound gross,,,but when I'm not sure what something is,,,,I'll usually give it a careful sniff. Believe me,,,,,bird droppings smell exactly like what they are! When I park my truck behind my shop and I usually go out and check for bombs every hour or two. It seems sometimes that I am a TARGET to them! The pollen you can usually blow off like dust,,,,I get plenty of that too. I Keep some detailing solution and a mf towel handy.

[hammer55]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

I had these small yellow mustard looking things, like little small lines on my boat which was stored outside but covered all the time, even though it was covered it still got them, they came off the gel-coat ok, but left a yellowish stain on the vinyl seats, took a brush and Murphy's oil soap to get them off

[Superior Shine]

Re: Yellow (mustard looking) spots?

Bee droppings. I saw one do it right in front of me once. The droppings will stain fresh paint.

The best defense agisnt them is to have a nice coat of protectant on your ride and use a safe bug sponge on the affected areas when you wash your car.