Spots on the paint

[kingypoo]

its been a while since my last post, but i noticed that my car has yellow specs on the outside of my car. its been bugging me bigtime and now its time to fix it. i havn't tried a clay bar yet, and i will give that a shot on friday...but i tried taking 1 (one) of the spots off with a dab of vinegar...didn't work...then i tried rubbing alcohol...bammo...spot was gone. im just wondering how harse rubbing alcohol is for the clear coat? what else do you guys recommend?

[Sasquatch]

Claybar can do some amazing things. How big are the spots?

[cavallino333]

Claybar can do some amazing things. How big are the spots?

+1 Alcohol is pretty hard on the paint but just wash it off right away and wax after and you'll be ok.


Definitely try claybar first next time.

[TheFNG]

The manual specifically states to avoid getting alcohol (rubbing, isopropyl, denatured) on the paint as it will certainly damage it. I have heard that the white and red colors are single stage, which means no clear coat so I imagine that would be even worse. As you probably know by now, Subaru doesn't use the best paint so I would avoid it at all costs in the future.


Try clay bar, or quick detailer. I keep a bottle of quick detailer and a microfiber towel in my trunk for spots, streaks, and bird crap.

[cavallino333]

The manual specifically states to avoid getting alcohol (rubbing, isopropyl, denatured) on the paint as it will certainly damage it. I have heard that the white and red colors are single stage, which means no clear coat so I imagine that would be even worse. As you probably know by now, Subaru doesn't use the best paint so I would avoid it at all costs in the future.


Try clay bar, or quick detailer. I keep a bottle of quick detailer and a microfiber towel in my trunk for spots, streaks, and bird crap.

+1 I wouldn't use alcohol on my paint.

[kingypoo]

the spots are the size of regular water spots, but they are yellow and will not come off from a regular wash.

i only used alcohol on one tiny spot in a discrete location, so if it does f up the paint it wont be noticeable

I'll go buy a clay bar and try that tomorrow, if it doesnt rain!!!!

[cavallino333]

the spots are the size of regular water spots, but they are yellow and will not come off from a regular wash.

i only used alcohol on one tiny spot in a discrete location, so if it does f up the paint it wont be noticeable

I'll go buy a clay bar and try that tomorrow, if it doesnt rain!!!!

The best thing would be to clay it, then use some kind of polish or cleaner wax (I recomend griots fine hand polish, or mothers cleaner wax) and then wax it.

[C89ZX7R]

The manual specifically states to avoid getting alcohol (rubbing, isopropyl, denatured) on the paint as it will certainly damage it. I have heard that the white and red colors are single stage, which means no clear coat so I imagine that would be even worse. As you probably know by now, Subaru doesn't use the best paint so I would avoid it at all costs in the future.


Try clay bar, or quick detailer. I keep a bottle of quick detailer and a microfiber towel in my trunk for spots, streaks, and bird crap.

who ever told you that white has no clear on it needs to go to school .

[kingypoo]

The best thing would be to clay it, then use some kind of polish or cleaner wax (I recomend griots fine hand polish, or mothers cleaner wax) and then wax it.

after i clay it, i was planning on washing it like i normally do. then wax it.

whats the cleaner wax? i've never used clay so i'm doing research and getting advice at the same time..

[cavallino333]

after i clay it, i was planning on washing it like i normally do. then wax it.

whats the cleaner wax? i've never used clay so i'm doing research and getting advice at the same time..

Well you do need to wash it first befor claying too but yeah washing after is a good idea. Cleaner wax is basically just a mildy abrasive max that will help polish out persisten spots/ bonded stuff etc.

Clay baring is easy just be sure to use a lot of quick detailer and don't let the clay go over a dry spot.

[kingypoo]

Well you do need to wash it first befor claying too but yeah washing after is a good idea. Cleaner wax is basically just a mildy abrasive max that will help polish out persisten spots/ bonded stuff etc.

Clay baring is easy just be sure to use a lot of quick detailer and don't let the clay go over a dry spot.

after doing some research on clay, its somewhat intimidating...

so i should wash my car regularly to get off the dirt and crap. then clay bar it (using lots of lube) (i am reading http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html for more information btw). then prewax it. then wax it. sounds like its going to be a long friday

[cavallino333]

after doing some research on clay, its somewhat intimidating...

so i should wash my car regularly to get off the dirt and crap. then clay bar it (using lots of lube) (i am reading http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html for more information btw). then prewax it. then wax it. sounds like its going to be a long friday

Its really not that bad. (By prewax their refering to cleanerwax/polish)


It does take a long time I think last time I did it all I think it took 5-6 hours.

[Maccgyver]

ahhh the time and love that goes into the upkeep of our crappy subie paint. LOL

[kingypoo]

what ill do is, ill take a picture of the spots im talking about tomorrow and post them here, and go buy all the things i need to do this. I'll plan on doing this next friday when i get a full day

[cavallino333]

what ill do is, ill take a picture of the spots im talking about tomorrow and post them here, and go buy all the things i need to do this. I'll plan on doing this next friday when i get a full day

Stupid question but you did wash it first after you saw the spots right?

I only ask because its bad to leave it sitting on there if it is some kind of contaminent and could stuck on there worse.