Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

[blackvert]

Hi!
I have a 95 Mazda Miata, black with base/clear that was in alright condition. I have been quite ill and unable to keep it clean the past 3-4 weeks. Somehow I managed to a chemical of some sort on the surface that i didnt notice and did not get cleaned off.
There are small whitish streaks or spots all over the top areas under the surface of the paint. I washed it a few times and seemed to get the chem off the surface but not out of the paint. Is there anything I can do? Or is it permanent?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Stains are either topical or they have penetrated into the paint, if they're topical then they can be removed fairly easily. Go to any local auto parts store and look for a product like ScratchX 2.0

Pick up some foam wax applicator pads to us to apply ScratchX with and make sure you have some quality microfiber polishing cloths on hand too. Apply the ScratchX using a circular overlapping motion to the affected area using a foam applicator pad using medium pressure for about a minute and then wipe off the residue and inspect.

Let us know how it turns out.

The defect is more aggressive product might remove it, it depends on how deep the stain has penetrated.

[Andy M.]

Re: Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

If the chemical seems to be removed after washing have you tried clay?

Andy

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

Actually, you can pick up any of one of these, the idea being to use the least aggressive product to get the job done.

SwirlX is the least aggressive and Ultimate Compound is the most aggressive. You usually would start with the least aggressive product because if the least aggressive product will remove the defect you will at the same time be leaving the most amount of paint on the car.


Swirl and Scratch Removers
Ultimate Compound
ScratchX 2.0
SwirlX


Most aggressive to least aggressive -->




Keep in mind, if these stain spots you're seeing have actually etched the paint then you'll have to remove a little paint in order to remove the spots.

See this thread,

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...


And this thread,
How To Remove Water Spots off Automotive Paints

Here's a good one too...
The Definitive ScratchX Thread Collection

[blackvert]

Re: Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate the warm welcome! I started with some scratch x today (not v2.0), that was left over at work. It worked just fine, so I assume the stains are not very deep, but the applicator did remove a good amount of paint. What wax do you reccommed to follow this with? I usually use mequiars cleaner wax.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Can I remove chemical stains or spots?

but the applicator did remove a good amount of paint.

How can you tell? Did you see color coming off onto the pad?

What wax do you recommend to follow this with? I usually use Meguiars cleaner wax.

Actually, Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax is a very good product for it's price, in side-by-side testing on black paint it creates just a beautiful finish as high-end boutique waxes.

If you haven't tried the new NXT Tech Wax 2.0 maybe give it a try? Be sure the rest of the paint is clean and smooth first, that is clay the paint if needed, (feel it for smoothness), and use a paint cleaner or cleaner/polish to clean and remove any built-up surface contamination and restore clarity.