Salt Stains? In paint

[FBNitro]

Just washed my car, and I found the following around both rear marker lights.



I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it didn't wash off. It feels smooth, it's on both sides of the vehicle, on the plastic bumper covers. Nothing above the marker on the metal. Car is a 2011 Camaro SS.

I'm not sure what to do with it, I've got a Dual Action Polisher. How do you suggest I start looking into this one?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

Interesting, not sure what those are either. This is a painted "plastic bumper cover" we are looking at correct? I would probably just start with a cleaner/polish like our Ultimate Polish or M205 Ultra Finishing Polish. If that didn't remove Ultimate Compound or similar.

- Nick

[FBNitro]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

That is correct, it is a painted plastic bumper cover.

Above the seam is the metal quarter panel.

Polish didn't make a difference. I'll see if I can find the product you mentioned in stores locally, if not I'll order some online.

[Blueline]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

I am fairly confident that it is not a salt stain. Salt will not stain clearcoat. Both of my black cars are not washed from December to March, and are coated with salt. There is no staining when I finally wash them. It almost looks like a paint transfer from a light colored vehicle. Surprised Ultimate Polish didn't take it off, but try Ultimate Compound like Nicholos suggested.

[Lydia]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

That's a strange one. Could you post a picture of the other side as well? Like Blueline said, it reminds me of paint transfer but if it's the same on the other side that's not very likely.

Since you mentioned having a DA, and based on your posting history, it looks like you know what you're doing. But just to make 100% sure, you did work the Ultimate Polish in for a little while and it still didn't affect it, correct?

[FBNitro]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

I took another photo on the same side that indicates this isn't a transfer/scratch from another car (imo). You can see a 'water trail' (lack of better words) going upwards. This is behind the rear marker in the first photo:




The other side is not nearly as bad, it looks like small white polka dots, just beside the marker there is some. There's another set where my pinky finger is (on the right). Not the best photo, I'll try to take another outside the garage later today:

[pcfxer]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

Can you wipe it off with your hand? Salt is especially difficult to remove on cars and I really look at agitating the dirt with a foam stage *before* contact washing.

I understand that Meguiar's is in Cali, but they do not seem to have the experience that a lot of us up north have....and to be fair, they are one of the few companies that has adjusted products based on my feedback. I'm currently foaming with Dodo Juice Apple iFoam and did a contact wash Meguiar's Mirror Bright Shampoo and even then, I had to do some follow-up touches after the wash that looked like it was gone before rinsing. My car is protected with #16 btw.

[Lydia]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

If Ultimate Polish, worked in well, didn't remove it I would try Ultimate Compound as well. But, I'm in the South so have no direct experience with salt so take what I say with a grain of...oh, never mind.

[Blueline]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

If Ultimate Polish, worked in well, didn't remove it I would try Ultimate Compound as well. But, I'm in the South so have no direct experience with salt so take what I say with a grain of...oh, never mind.

Salt will destroy unprotected metal, or your nice leather shoes, but it will NOT hurt or stain clearcoat. If is is a running stain, it is not salt, but could be some other contaminate in the water drip. UC should take it off.

[FBNitro]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

Finally got around to working on the car. I ran UC with an orange LC pad on speed 5.5 on my PC.

With this setup, it did nothing to improve this issue. I tried a few times, but I didn't see any improvement. I did pull out some other scratches, so I don't think it was a technique issue.

I realize the orange pad is probably too mild, but it was the heaviest pad I have. I will try to source a more aggressive pad and try again in the future.

That said, I generally liked the UC and did the whole car with it, instead of my usual swirl remover... Although I wish it smelled like something else, I'm allergic to cinnamon so I felt odd using it (didn't react, just not used to that smell).

[Old Bear]

Re: Salt Stains? In paint

FBNitro
Thanks for the tip that UC might contain cinnamon. There aren't that many of us allergic to cinnamon, and for me it is the cinnamon oil. Be cautious of D300 Microfiber Compound. It too contains a type of cinnamon oil. For me, my eyebrows burn and the capillaries increase in size causing the skin on the face and neck to flush.