Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

[gnikoli]

I've got some unidentified spots on the hood and front bumper of a 2003 Civic I just bought. It looks sort of like tar, but if it is, it has set up and become very hard. In a couple of places, it looks like someone tried to remove them and the paint came up with it to reveal the primer. I've done paint chips but nothing quite this large. General advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

Here's a medium sized photo...




Try a paint cleaner like ScratchX or Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, rub gently and use the product heavy and it should help to dissolve and then loosen the contaminant so you can wipe it off.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

Even a cleaner/wax could probably work or products like Goo Gone or Goof Off.

The key is to use whatever product you use heavy so there's plenty of liquid on the substance to help dissolve and loosen it from the surface.

You don't want to rub real hard as this might instill scratches.

If you use anything besides a cleaner/wax be sure to apply a wax when you're done as you'll have removed any wax in the process.

A cleaner/wax will leave some wax behind.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

My mistake, thought that WAS the tar.

Re-read and now we're talking about primer.

Here's the deal, you can make touch-up paint as difficult and complicated as you want and usually more and more complications will not result in better and better looking repairs.

Let me get you some links to read as I've already typed up plenty on this topic.


Hang tight...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

Go to the The Popular Tags Box box in the lower, right hand column of the forum homepage, it looks like this,




Look for these words Touch-up Rock-chip and click on them and then invest some time reading the linked threads which will go over this topic in great length...

Actually, here's the link,

Touch-up Rock-chip

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25592

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27369

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25592

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

The simple fix is get some matching touch-up paint, apply only small amounts using anything but the large brush that comes built into the lid.

I go to a crafts supply store and spend about $6.00 to $7.00 for a fine tipped paint brush.

Do your best and then move on...

How does the paint on the car look overall?

That is how does the BIG PICTURE look? Is the car filled with swirls? Or does it have a show car finish except for these little, tiny problems.

[gnikoli]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

The paint is in top shape, no swirls, really looks great for an '03. I've tried tar remover with long dwell time and clay, neither really did a thing to the raised spots. There are two different kinds of spots, those where something looks to be sitting on the surface (feels harder than tar) and those that look like whatever was on the surface was removed and that lifted off some paint to reveal primer. I might try some touch up paint on those spots where it looks like primer is exposed and handle it like big rock chips. I think the best I will be able to do is change the dark colored spots to lighter colored spots. Probably will wind getting a price for a paint job. Off topic, but how good are paint shops at matching colors nowadays? This is an everyday comuter, not a show car, so if I can limit this to just a hood and fender paint job, it won't bust my budget. Thanks for all the info so far!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Unknown spatter - how to touch up?

There are two different kinds of spots, those where something looks to be sitting on the surface (feels harder than tar)

Hmmm... tar remover didn't work... trying to pick it off would probably pull paint off so you want to be careful. How about trying some Goo Gone? It's citrus based solvent that works pretty well for some substances...

Some people have good luck with WD-40 but test anything in a small area first.

and those that look like whatever was on the surface was removed and that lifted off some paint to reveal primer.

If you just want touch-up paint you can get it at the dealership where you bought your car, sometimes this doesn't match exactly so another option is to have some made at a PBE store and a good paint mixer should be able to get it very close.

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