Greasy finger prints in oxidized white paint

[Nick]

Newbie question: How do I get rid of greasy/oily finger prints built-up in white oxidized paint?

I have a '96 white miata and around the windshield and the trunk my finger prints have managed to leave dark marks over time in the slightly oxidized paint. I've washed the car several times with Meguiar's Gold and the "pink stuff" with no luck in removing the spots. Before I take the next steps of using a cleaner or polishing, I thought I'd ask for recomendations.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Greasy finger prints in oxidized white paint

Originally posted by Nick
Newbie question: How do I get rid of greasy/oily finger prints built-up in white oxidized paint?

I have a '96 white Miata and around the windshield and the trunk my finger prints have managed to leave dark marks over time in the slightly oxidized paint. I've washed the car several times with Meguiar's Gold and the "pink stuff" with no luck in removing the spots. Before I take the next steps of using a cleaner or polishing, I thought I'd ask for recommendations.

Hi Nick,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!


My old stomping grounds were Albany, and Seaside, with a little time in Cottage Grove and Astoria too...

What you have is what we call D.I.P., or Dirt In Paint

In your case it's grease... I think you'll find a paint cleaner like ScratchX to be your best best at safely and effectively removing stains under the paint as it is both a chemical cleaner and a mechanical cleaner, (It contains a diminishing abrasive).

You can use this over the entire car, or just the problem areas. Another option would be a cleaner/wax like Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax, or ColorX.

Both of these products are great for deep cleaning the paint while adding depth and clarity and leaving both Carnauba and Synthetic wax protection behind. The ScratchX is only a paint cleaner and you'll have to wax after you use it.

Here's an article I wrote on this type of problem,

A Lesson From White Paint

Being that you live in Oregon, you know all to well the kind of dirty water that your car is constantly exposed to when you drive down I-5 in the rain.