I grew up in Central Florida One of my favorite drinking songs from my Rugby playing days goes like......
Oh the eagles, they fly high in Mobile Oh the eagles, they fly high in Mobile Oh the eagles, they fly high, but they poop right in your eye, Aren't you glad cows don't fly in Mobile
Well, I guess I asked for the humorous responses, but that doesn't give me any answers. I garage the car at night, but at work there is no covered parking.
I asked a knowledgeable friend about bird pee. They don't. Seems the urine is mixed in with the poop. (stop laughing, this is serious)
I don't live near an airport, but planes do fly everywhere. But these drops are too small to be airplane droppings.
So, I still don't know what is leaving the drops on my car. Most of them look like the spots you would get if drops of Coke (the drink) were splattered on the car. They dry hard and have to be washed off with a wet cloth. They leave a yellowish brown stain on the cloth. Perhaps some sort of flying insect is the culprit.
Gee, hasn't anybody else seen these. I have talked with others here and they do find these spots on their cars, so it is something common to the area. But nobody knows where they come from.
That is why I didn't respond. I assumed it was birds or bugs local to your area, that I'm not familiar with.
Depending on what a bird just ate, his droppings can go from almost pure liquid to pure solid. I think the color, not the consistency, will identify the culprit.
Have any unusual seeds that blow around, and are filled with liquid? You know, like milkweed? (Never saw one fly, I admit...)
I think it is a bird or bug. Keep talking to locals. Someone will know. Try asking your local detailer!
guitarzan - Good idea on asking local detailers. Interesting thought on the likelihood it is left behind by a seed, though it does look more like a dropping.
C13 - The reason I am trying to find the source is to give me a clue as to the solution. If it is from a seed of a nearby plant, the plant goes. If it is from a flying insect or bird, well, I don't know...maybe ultrasonics!
I will check the staff parking lot to see if other cars get the same stuff. I do park out front (I'm a "big wig") and maybe there is something special about that area.
Big wig, eh? Bless your heart, sir. Got any openings in the mail room?
Better yet, why don't you hire me to stand outside and shoo birds away from your car?
I don't think you'll have much luck eliminating all of the plants of a certain variety within x# of miles. I appreciate the logic of breaking the food chain where it creates an inconvenience for you, but some of your neighbors might not find it a workable solution. They might tell you, as I already have, to just go get that car cover and be done with it.
Or maybe hire some lackey to come out every hour and hose the acidic slime off your clearcoat.
Then again, maybe it's the mailroom lackeys that are sabotaging your car for laughs during breaks. They don't take breaks in the parking lot do they?
I knew as I was typing the words "big wig" that I would probably get some derogatory comments. I even paused for a moment, but thought, naw, these TownHall folks would be better than taking pot shots at me for who I am. I am glad that most are. Heck, after starting at the bottom and working to build this company for 32 years and providing meaningful employment for my staff, I will not apologize for being who I am.
However, I do take offense that you would call anybody that works at my company a lackey. I truly value every staff member and think all of them are important, no matter what they do for a living. In fact, one of my responsibilities is to serve as the staff facilitator to assure every member of the staff is treated fairly. Our anonymous staff opinion surveys show that our staff appreciates what I have accomplished. C13, I am sorry that you have to work in an environment that makes you feel management is the "bad guy". Not all companies are that way.
That being said (sorry for going off topic), a fellow staff member suggested that the droppings may come from June bugs. I tend to work until late and there are parking lot lights that probably attract them to the area. He said these bugs are seasonal, so the problem will go away in time (only to return next year). So if that is the cause, the daily ritual of walking around the car with a wet paper towel seems to be my easiest solution.
Fairly large droppings from bugs? How large are these things?
Not sure, but ultrasonics may not be available for birds. I considered a machine to drive away bugs, and remember reading that the particular one I looked at, at least, was safe for my parakeet (my best friend.)
guitarzan - the droppings are quite small. When dried, they make a flat circle about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter. More like a droplet. When they run off a vertical surface as they dry, they make a thread about 1/2 long and as big around as the fine lead in a mechanical pencil. It does seem more like an insects doings than a bird. The other night, I did find several small insects on my car when I left work. A bit bigger than ladybugs. I think they are attracted by the parking lot light.
The whole thing wouldn't bother me if they were just a mess to wash off at the next washing, but one that was in place for a few days actually eroded the clearcoat. I can feel the depression on the surface, and since this is a new car, I can feel the depression myself at having the nice shiny paint messed up.
I am not into car covers. Too much to fuss with and I worry about the cover rubbing the surface dust and scratching the clearcoat. For now, my solution is to do a quick 30-second walkaround when I get home, wet paper towel in hand, and get these droplets off before they cause a problem.
I had found similar droplets on my previous car, but they never eroded the paint. But it wasn't clearcoat and was extremely durable paint. Even after 12 years, it still looked new and I could scrub off lovebugs with a plastic mesh covered sponge without leaving any evidence on the paint. I for one am not that convinced that clearcoat is the best tradeoff between gloss and durability.
One difference is that I used Nu Finish on my last car and I used Turtle Wax Emerald Paste on the new one. I did do a test strip in Nu Finish on the hood of the new car to see how the two waxes compare, so now I will check to see if the Nu Finish area handles the droplets better than the Emerald waxed areas. If so, I go back to Nu Finish (it will most likely last a lot longer anyway).
In my area (Philadelphia), we get pin-head sized, brown dots on our cars. I never noticed it when I lived in the city, but I see them much more often now that I'm in the suburbs.
My girlfriend says that they've seen them forever out here. Her Dad always called them "fly poop."
I've never seen them as big as you describe, but perhpas they are bug excrement. I always got them off with Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax.
Does anyone know what to put on tires to get them back tot heir original matte black color? I have made the mistake of putting Black Magic on them and now there is a brown ring around the tire. Thanks.
Does anyone know what to put on tires to get them back to their original matte black color? I have made the mistake of putting Black Magic on them and now there is a brown ring around the tire. Thanks.
#68,69 Yes in two stages; 1. wash the rubber portion with car wash soap or even simple green. That will remove the oxidation 2. Use Meguairs vinyl and rubber cleaner (I forget the #)
(Zaino's is actually better and longer lasting but available by mail order and a few days wait.)
My car's been hit by several bird bombs in the last 2 weeks and I've become a convert to carrying a bottle of quik detailer in my car. I have a little hand towel in the trunk with it and do a quick spray and wipe at the end of the day when serious invaders are obvious.
I don't like paper towels. I got excited about a particularly gross bomb on a side window once and scratched the glass. No more paper for me.
That's because I used this rough paper towel (sort of newspaper like) and I think I didn't spray cleaner on the glass thoroughly. So when I swiped it hit a dry spot with dry paper (I think). I was horrified to see a few scratches show up immediately.
Fortunately, Meguiar's plastic detailer has helped minimize the damage.
You get what you pay for. The higher figure is about what it should cost if you want a good job, and you have a right to expect it if you spend that much, which means you should get a guarantee - no drips, etc. Do you have any good referrals from the expensive shops?
Changing a color is always tough. The same color is easier, or going darker is not too bad.
You won't get the money back when you sell the truck. It'll just be for your own enjoyment. Is that cool with you?
If it's an old junker and you want to get it done cheap and especially if you can do as much of your own sanding as possible, then I'd consider a cheapo. But if you want a nice job it's gonna cost ya.
How is your rapport with the dealer? If you are best of friends and spend lots of money there, they might do it. Ninety percent chance they won't on a vehicle that old. All you can do is go see the service manager and politely ask him. He would have to get the ok from Chevy. Not likely, unfortunately.
Redrick, My husband has a 89 Chevy S10 that has been peeling tons of paint since it was about 5 years old. Chevy refused to repaint it stating they were not at fault. My husband even had found some literature that stated they were having problems. Anyway, I guess we didn't complain loud or hard enough. It is presently rusting all over as we didn't want to sink money into a vehicle that has over 130000 miles. Anyway... NO MORE CHEVY'S FOR US!!!
No problem getting GM Canada to admit to problem Dealer repainted 94 GMC no questions asked, didn't even get prior approval from GM. So your problem might be just dealer related.
I have this spots on my black car. like waterspots that will not go away. The same thing on my windshield. Someone said its because of "HARD WATER". Can anybody out there on the waves, give me some advise as to how to get rid of that without a complete paint job. There must be some cleaning product for this problem???
Yeah take a look in the Waxes and Polishes forum. I live in Rahway Nj, and I have to say of all the places I've been our water is the worst. Extremely hard and full of nasty old chemicals. I personally use zaino on my car but mcguires or something to that effect will work fine. Just wash your car (When doing so make sure to get a few white towels) and keep wetting your car, washing small sections make sure the entire car stays wet the entire time, no time to dry. Then when your done washing the car take those towels and get that water off asap. I find that doing a quick wipedown (especially hood first) and then taking the second perfectly dry towel and getting the little mist off, works best. When your done washing and cleaning, clay your car. Then apply the wax / polish of your choice. I own a 1999 Mitsu Eclipse GS-T and I tell you it shows everything. But this method seems to work for even me. Oh, also make sure the towels and ANYTHING you use on your car is 100% american and 100% Cotton... accept no substitute, it'll make those little lovely "spider webs" or scratches on your car otherwise... -herr Darkness
1994 Honda Passport The paint at the rear of passport between the rear glass, the panels on each side peels of, anyone with the same problem..Honda doesn't say that this is a problem..
My one week old car was bombed by some rude birds early in the morning and I didn't discover the mess until 5:00pm on a 95 degree sunny day (black car). The mess would not come off the hood so I resorted to a small amount of rubbing compound (maybe a mistake) to remove the residue. The rubbing compound left those tiny circular scratches and a slightly dull finish in these spots. Any advice for removing these blimishes?? Is it likely the clear coat that is scrathed??
Hi: #86 - too pooped to shine The rubbing compound contains harsh abrasives. You have scratched your finish. The scratches are circular because you rubbed in a circle. You should switch to a finer grade of abrasive. I recommend 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Some auto stores and most auto paint stores carry it. Take a 100% cotton(polyester will leave scratches of their own) cloth or diaper (although I have used paper towels in a pinch) and gently hand rub the glaze back and forth (in a hood-to-trunk direction). Let haze. Buff off. If happy with the finish then apply wax to the area. If you aren't happy then reapply until you are. It should take no more than 2 to 3 applications. I really like this product because it also feeds the paint and makes the color deeper and richer. I use it at least once a year to remove light oxidation, etc. Good luck.
drscopem is right use a little less abraiseive clean then just keep getting finer until you hit wax and it will go way. I use it in my body shop all the time
Have a 1998 green Jeep Cherokee that was towed for two thousand miles of interstate over the last two weeks. By the end of the trip the motor- home had thrown a great amount of road oil (I assume oil as the signs for all the road construction between Florida and Montana said "Caution: Fresh Oil"). I have not attempted to remove the stuff with more than soapy water and elbow grease; that did not help. What is the best next step: gasoline? WD 40?
Mineral Spirits will dissolve and remove oil and other road tar deposits very well. I once had black overspray on a white car and removed it all with mineral spirits and it didn't hurt the paint. I'd work quickly with the mineral spirits and follow with a good soapy washing.
read a while back about toyota black paint. Can't remember exactly what the problem was Could it be something about the top coat? Anybody remember the posting I am referring to? Thanks
You can remove some contaminants without any adverse effects using clay. Scroll to the beginning of the topic and/or do a search below for clay magic, clay, and erasure.
Claying may remove the oil, but I suspect the clay would quickly get full of the oil. At $20 per bar, you wouldn't want to use several bars. Perhaps the best approach would be to use the mineral spirits first, then clay to remove anything that remained.
You may be right. But how careful do you have to be using mineral spirits? Personally, I would try anything before that. But on the subject, how does diesel fuel/kerosene compare in doing the same job?
I don't know about diesel fuel or kerosene. They are harder to come by. Mineral spirits is readily available and cheap. I use it in the garage for many degreasing purposes. I even keep a spray bottle full of it and use it to wash my hands when they get greasy. I even use it to wash a dirty foam wax applicator. It dissolves the wax easily, then washes out with soap and water. I can restore the foam wax applicator to like new.
Over the years I have never noted any ill effects in using mineral spirits to clean oil, grease and tar from dried paint. Sure, it is sold as paint thinner but it doesn't seem to soften paint once it is dried. I note that many "bug and tar removers" that list petroleum distillates on the label smell just like mineral spirits. I wouldn't leave it on the surface for an extended time, but a wipe and dry action is fine.
As to explosion, mineral spirits is far less flammable than gasoline. It doesn't vaporize much and probably would need to come in direct contact with a flame to burn. It is probably much safer than many aerosol products.
clary: what kind of soap did you use? You might want to try dishwashing detergents like Dawn; they're more effective than car wash at removing oil and grease. Of course, you'll have to rewax, but that's true if you use any solvent, too. Before you use mineral spirits, try rubbing alcohol; it's much less harsh.
What's the best way to take care of the paint on a black car. (it's a 3week old 99 cougar, non-metallic with clearcoat)
I want to try to minimize the "swirl" marks. I've already noticed that after two washes, they're starting to show up. Other than that, the car's finish looks like glass after being washed.
Any tips? Like on what kind of cloth to use when washing, drying tips, etc... Thanks! Pritesh
Wash it every two weeks with something like a car wash, nor dishwashing liquid. I lke Kiwi and Turle Wax Zip Wash. Wax it once a mo. or every 6 weeks. Use 100% cotton towels to dry off the car or a chamois. For wax I like Turtle Wax Emerals. Great shine that lasts. Maguires Cleaner/Wax is good too but not as shiny or as longlasting. For the wheels get maguire's new gel. It last more than the sprays. Your car will look great. Dark cars need more attention !
Most car washes have too much garbage in them. When I wash with Turtle Wax, my car is left with white spots. When I wash with Dawn, it is like cutting the grease off of dishes, the finish is left perfect, without towel drying. If you have a car wash that is strictly a wash and doesn't have wax or any other gunk in it, fine. But I think Dawn is superior.
sparkon - How long does your TW Emerald last? I did my car in Emerald and within two weeks it stopped beading. I ran a test on the hood after thoroughly cleaning and claying, then waxing strips of TW Emerald Paste along with Meguiars Cleaner Wax and Nu Finish Paste. Once again the Emerald Paste was gone in two weeks. At two months the Megiaurs stopped beading but the Nu Finish was going strong, so I did the whole car in Nu Finish and it looks a lot better than when I first did the whole car in Emerald.
It's a shame Emerald didn't work out for me, it didn't leave white residue on black trim and it was very easy to apply and buff. But two weeks is entirely too soon. I want 6-8 months.
Comments
One of my favorite drinking songs from my Rugby playing days goes like......
Oh the eagles, they fly high in Mobile
Oh the eagles, they fly high in Mobile
Oh the eagles, they fly high,
but they poop right in your eye,
Aren't you glad cows don't fly in Mobile
Central Florida has a lot of cows, don't they?
Live near an airport?
I asked a knowledgeable friend about bird pee. They don't. Seems the urine is mixed in with the poop. (stop laughing, this is serious)
I don't live near an airport, but planes do fly everywhere. But these drops are too small to be airplane droppings.
So, I still don't know what is leaving the drops on my car. Most of them look like the spots you would get if drops of Coke (the drink) were splattered on the car. They dry hard and have to be washed off with a wet cloth. They leave a yellowish brown stain on the cloth. Perhaps some sort of flying insect is the culprit.
Gee, hasn't anybody else seen these. I have talked with others here and they do find these spots on their cars, so it is something common to the area. But nobody knows where they come from.
Depending on what a bird just ate, his droppings can go from almost pure liquid to pure solid. I think the color, not the consistency, will identify the culprit.
Have any unusual seeds that blow around, and are filled with liquid? You know, like milkweed? (Never saw one fly, I admit...)
I think it is a bird or bug. Keep talking to locals. Someone will know. Try asking your local detailer!
You have to either protect the car during the day by parking someplace else or covering it.
I assume that this is also happening to your co-workers' cars?
C13 - The reason I am trying to find the source is to give me a clue as to the solution. If it is from a seed of a nearby plant, the plant goes. If it is from a flying insect or bird, well, I don't know...maybe ultrasonics!
I will check the staff parking lot to see if other cars get the same stuff. I do park out front (I'm a "big wig") and maybe there is something special about that area.
Better yet, why don't you hire me to stand outside and shoo birds away from your car?
I don't think you'll have much luck eliminating all of the plants of a certain variety within x# of miles. I appreciate the logic of breaking the food chain where it creates an inconvenience for you, but some of your neighbors might not find it a workable solution. They might tell you, as I already have, to just go get that car cover and be done with it.
Or maybe hire some lackey to come out every hour and hose the acidic slime off your clearcoat.
Then again, maybe it's the mailroom lackeys that are sabotaging your car for laughs during breaks. They don't take breaks in the parking lot do they?
Your firm might want to invest in a CCTV system.
Heck, after starting at the bottom and working to build this company for 32 years and providing meaningful employment for my staff, I will not apologize for being who I am.
However, I do take offense that you would call anybody that works at my company a lackey. I truly value every staff member and think all of them are important, no matter what they do for a living. In fact, one of my responsibilities is to serve as the staff facilitator to assure every member of the staff is treated fairly. Our anonymous staff opinion surveys show that our staff appreciates what I have accomplished. C13, I am sorry that you have to work in an environment that makes you feel management is the "bad guy". Not all companies are that way.
That being said (sorry for going off topic), a fellow staff member suggested that the droppings may come from June bugs. I tend to work until late and there are parking lot lights that probably attract them to the area. He said these bugs are seasonal, so the problem will go away in time (only to return next year). So if that is the cause, the daily ritual of walking around the car with a wet paper towel seems to be my easiest solution.
Not sure, but ultrasonics may not be available for birds. I considered a machine to drive away bugs, and remember reading that the particular one I looked at, at least, was safe for my parakeet (my best friend.)
The whole thing wouldn't bother me if they were just a mess to wash off at the next washing, but one that was in place for a few days actually eroded the clearcoat. I can feel the depression on the surface, and since this is a new car, I can feel the depression myself at having the nice shiny paint messed up.
I am not into car covers. Too much to fuss with and I worry about the cover rubbing the surface dust and scratching the clearcoat. For now, my solution is to do a quick 30-second walkaround when I get home, wet paper towel in hand, and get these droplets off before they cause a problem.
I had found similar droplets on my previous car, but they never eroded the paint. But it wasn't clearcoat and was extremely durable paint. Even after 12 years, it still looked new and I could scrub off lovebugs with a plastic mesh covered sponge without leaving any evidence on the paint. I for one am not that convinced that clearcoat is the best tradeoff between gloss and durability.
One difference is that I used Nu Finish on my last car and I used Turtle Wax Emerald Paste on the new one. I did do a test strip in Nu Finish on the hood of the new car to see how the two waxes compare, so now I will check to see if the Nu Finish area handles the droplets better than the Emerald waxed areas. If so, I go back to Nu Finish (it will most likely last a lot longer anyway).
My girlfriend says that they've seen them forever out here. Her Dad always called them "fly poop."
I've never seen them as big as you describe, but perhpas they are bug excrement. I always got them off with Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax.
What is it?
Yes in two stages; 1. wash the rubber portion with car wash soap or even simple green. That will remove the oxidation 2. Use Meguairs vinyl and rubber cleaner (I forget the #)
(Zaino's is actually better and longer lasting but available by mail order and a few days wait.)
I don't like paper towels. I got excited about a particularly gross bomb on a side window once and scratched the glass. No more paper for me.
Fortunately, Meguiar's plastic detailer has helped minimize the damage.
Changing a color is always tough. The same color is easier, or going darker is not too bad.
You won't get the money back when you sell the truck. It'll just be for your own enjoyment. Is that cool with you?
If it's an old junker and you want to get it done cheap and especially if you can do as much of your own sanding as possible, then I'd consider a cheapo. But if you want a nice job it's gonna cost ya.
How do I get them to do it?
RedRick.
My husband has a 89 Chevy S10 that has been peeling tons of paint since it was about 5 years old. Chevy refused to repaint it stating they were not at fault. My husband even had found some literature that stated they were having problems. Anyway, I guess we didn't complain loud or hard enough. It is presently rusting all over as we didn't want to sink money into a vehicle that has over 130000 miles. Anyway... NO MORE CHEVY'S FOR US!!!
Dealer repainted 94 GMC no questions asked, didn't even get prior approval from GM. So your problem might be just dealer related.
-herr Darkness
The paint at the rear of passport between the rear glass, the panels on each side peels of, anyone with the same problem..Honda doesn't say that this is a problem..
#86 - too pooped to shine
The rubbing compound contains harsh abrasives. You have scratched your finish. The scratches are circular because you rubbed in a circle. You should switch to a finer grade of abrasive.
I recommend 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. Some auto stores and most auto paint stores carry it. Take a 100% cotton(polyester will leave scratches of their own) cloth or diaper (although I have used paper towels in a pinch) and gently hand rub the glaze back and forth (in a hood-to-trunk direction). Let haze. Buff off. If happy with the finish then apply wax to the area. If you aren't happy then reapply until you are. It should take no more than 2 to 3 applications. I really like this product because it also feeds the paint and makes the color deeper and richer. I use it at least once a year to remove light oxidation, etc.
Good luck.
Mineral Spirits will dissolve and remove oil and other road tar deposits very well. I once had black overspray on a white car and removed it all with mineral spirits and it didn't hurt the paint. I'd work quickly with the mineral spirits and follow with a good soapy washing.
Could it be something about the top coat?
Anybody remember the posting I am referring to?
Thanks
Claying? Is that a typo, or ias there something about which I need to be enlightened?
Over the years I have never noted any ill effects in using mineral spirits to clean oil, grease and tar from dried paint. Sure, it is sold as paint thinner but it doesn't seem to soften paint once it is dried. I note that many "bug and tar removers" that list petroleum distillates on the label smell just like mineral spirits. I wouldn't leave it on the surface for an extended time, but a wipe and dry action is fine.
As to explosion, mineral spirits is far less flammable than gasoline. It doesn't vaporize much and probably would need to come in direct contact with a flame to burn. It is probably much safer than many aerosol products.
what kind of soap did you use? You might want to try dishwashing detergents like Dawn; they're more effective than car wash at removing oil and grease. Of course, you'll have to rewax, but that's true if you use any solvent, too.
Before you use mineral spirits, try rubbing alcohol; it's much less harsh.
Specifically, paint for GM cars. I only need
to cover a small damaged area
I want to try to minimize the "swirl" marks. I've already noticed that after two washes, they're starting to show up. Other than that, the car's finish looks like glass after being washed.
Any tips? Like on what kind of cloth to use when washing, drying tips, etc...
Thanks!
Pritesh
It's a shame Emerald didn't work out for me, it didn't leave white residue on black trim and it was very easy to apply and buff. But two weeks is entirely too soon. I want 6-8 months.