Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

[Sorento]

Hi, in the past couple of months I noticed I can't remove these orange specks (maybe tree sap) on my white Kia Sorento 2012, now about 1.5 years old in Northern Virginia. I can't remove these specks by ordinary washing with microfiber wash mitt and only seems like the finger nail will take it off, but that would take forever.

I tried the Tarminator and it didn't remove it very easily. I just bought the Megs Smooth Surface Clay Kit based on other people's posts. I'm assuming this is the next best thing to use, followed by wax (I'm using the Megs ULW and UPW). Would appreciate your opinions on this. This would be the first time I have used clay. I waxing about 2-3 times a year and washing maybe 4-5 times a year.


Here's where I park in front of the house, which is partially under trees.




Here's the specks.




You have to zoom in to see the specks on the side view mirror.

[Stephan]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Clay is the way to go to remove surface contamination.

[Jlt23]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

I agree with Stephan, clay should take care of that. I used to have a white mustang and I would get those orange specks and clay took care of it.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

If clay doesn't work you want to try a product like Iron X to remove those iron particles.

[Sorento]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Thanks alot. As far as using the Smooth Clay, it includes the Quik Detailer for lubrication. Is waxing directly after the QD okay? Some folks seem to just use soapy water.

[Stephan]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Wax immediately after clay and QD is perfectly fine.

Soapy water is much cheaper than QD (enough said).

[Murr1525]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

If you could do something like (IronX/TRIX if needed), clay, a cleaner/wax (Cleaner/Wax, ColorX, White Wax, etc), then your ULW, you would get real nice results.

[juliom2]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

After all these great advice, Meguiars White Wax o keep it shiny.

[Sorento]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Wow, it worked out really well. I just used the QD and clay and was suprised how well it worked. It's almost like you don't want to get the clay too flat because it "hydroplanes" on the lubricant. It seems like a freshly folded piece of clay has more grab to remove those tree sap specks. I didn't try it on the window glass but could see how this could really bring the glass to what it was like when I just bought it.

I finished up with 2-3 coats of ULW and the surface finish is really nice and smooth. I'm switching from UPW to ULW because of the stains on black trim, which seemed alot better this time.

Thanks again for all the suggestions on the Iron X, TRIX, Meg's White Wax and Color X. I've never used these and will research them because I'm sure they would come in handy at some point.

[Murr1525]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

You will probably find that one coat of the cleaner/wax type product, and one of your regular wax (ULW) will give better results than 2-3 of just wax..

[Sorento]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Great, thanks. I'll have to try a cleaner wax followed by ULW at some point. Which cleaner wax do you recommend, White Wax maybe? Would this be for everytime you wax the car or for longer periods, like once a year? I always thought on a relatively new car (1.5 yrs old) it wouldn't be necessary to polish but I guess it helps to clean the paint for a brighter shine.

[Murr1525]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

White Wax would be the strongest option, and have always had good success with ColorX.

Yeah, the idea is more about getting some dirt off the paint. You would do that with your couple times a year waxing, and then use the spray type waxes after a regular wash.

[Sorento]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Cool, thanks alot for the info.

[BrandIdeator]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

I may actually have to disagree with Stephan.

After talking with Meg's CS Team and doing my own research, the QD has the perfect lubricity that is needed for claying. I'd go with that and you'll be very happy.

[Jlt23]

Re: Orange specks on white Kia Sorento 2012

Soapy water can work as a lube for certain clays, but on others it will make the clays fall a part.