Getting paint blemish out?

Schorpio

Hi all,

Bought a mk7 Golf about 3 weeks ago. Loving my new toy - except for today I noticed a mark on the bonnet. Tried giving the car a wash with shampoo (didn't have any polish to hand) but no joy - the stain remained.

The thing that's bugging me is that I can't really identify what the blemish/stain is, or where it came from. I'm almost certain it wasn't there when I took delivery of the car. I don't think it's bird poop (would have noticed before now).

Going to pick up some Super Resin Polish from Halfords tomorrow and see if that makes a difference, but I don't really know whether it will. I've attached a picture of the offending stain in question. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

JoeA3

Schorpio wrote: »

Hi all,

Bought a mk7 Golf about 3 weeks ago. Loving my new toy - except for today I noticed a mark on the bonnet. Tried giving the car a wash with shampoo (didn't have any polish to hand) but no joy - the stain remained.

The thing that's bugging me is that I can't really identify what the blemish/stain is, or where it came from. I'm almost certain it wasn't there when I took delivery of the car. I don't think it's bird poop (would have noticed before now).

Going to pick up some Super Resin Polish from Halfords tomorrow and see if that makes a difference, but I don't really know whether it will. I've attached a picture of the offending stain in question. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

It's definitely from bird poop or possibly lime from a water leak above where it's parked. Do you park in an underground carpark? It's very common.

The lacquer / clearcoat is etched. The likes of Autoglym super resin will have minimal impact. It might help make it less visible but really it's only masking it. I've had better results with this problem before with Meguairs Scratch X. I'd try that rather than the Autoglym.

Also for some reason I've noticed that these marks often go away on their own over time or at least become less visible. Not sure why, maybe the clearcoat somehow "fixes itself" over time when parked in the sun.

The only thing that will truly sort it out property though is a machine polish I'm afraid.

Nonoperational

Yep. Looks like bird ****e. Hard to do anything but a machine polish. Important not to leave it sit on the car for long.

Curran

As the lads have said, the clear coat has been etched, most likely from bird droppings. Even if the dropping was only sitting on the surface for a few hours, it can be enough to etch the paint due to how acidic it is. Will need a bit of attention from a machine.

Where abouts are you based; maybe we can help you with a recommendation or someone here might be kind enough to give it some attention.

JoeA3

Curran wrote: »

Even if the dropping was only sitting on the surface for a few hours...

Doesn't even take that long in my experience! Minutes is enough to do damage, especially if the car is sitting in the sun.

Curran

True, but dont want to sound like Im over exaggerating or scaremongering!!

MetzgerMeister

I've had something similar on my car yesterday despite the fact that it's got more layers of protection than a nun's bank account.

It left that multi-coloured effect like you get when oil is on top of a puddle of water once the droppigns were removed with water. Gtechniq quick detailer got rid of it altogether for me.

fryup

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

it's got more layers of protection than a nun's bank account.

:pac:

Schorpio

Cheers for all of the replies lads, really appreciate it. Right, seems I need a machine polish to get it removed then. It's weird, it's honestly really small (and you wouldn't notice it) but it's bugging every time I drive!

Would love a recommendation of whom to go to - but I moved to the UK last year...so it's a very long shot but if anyone knows anyone good around the Bristol area. I'm all ears! Otherwise I'm guessing most of the bigger valet services should offer a machine polish? Or would a bodyshop be a better call?

Curran

Search 'Detailer in Bristol'...don't bring it to a valet or you may have to bring it to a detailer after the wrong hands of a valet....but equally there can be cowboy 'detailers' too, so do research!

Schorpio

Update on this - I've had this looked at by a detailed who has suggested wet-sanding and bringing back to gloss. My knowledge of wet-sanding is pretty limited, but I'm concerned that it might take away too much of the clearcoat. I don't know whether to insist on a machine polish, or just go with it....

MetzgerMeister

I wouldn't have thought that wet sanding would be necessary. What I would do is first use a polisher and if that doesn't work then wet sand.

Doesn't sit well with me that he wants to wet sand from the get-go.

Curran

Wet sanding might be necessary.
Im guessing he wants to go that route rather than try the polisher first and failing, and thus spending more time and effort, and more expense for you in the long run.

Wet sanding doesnt always mean massive removal rates either.

If he is insured, and they'll have no issue proving that IF they are, then I would let them at it. Ask them for a depth reading of the paint before and after; if anything it will show that you have researched it and they'll know not to mess about!

Schorpio

Going straight for wet sanding was what concerned me too. Thanks lads - asking for paint depth readings and insurance details is a very good idea. I'll pose the question and see what they say.

Cheers for all of the replies/advice so far. It really is very much appreciated!!