Paintwork on Black Forester

[Scratch2k]

My wife's Forester is Black and the previous owner was pretty abusive to the paintwork, using a clay bar and I can manage to bring it up to a nice shine but there are some pits in the paint where bird crap sat unwashed for probably months and the swirls make me cry but the worse thing is that all over the horizontal surfaces you can see where water has sat on the surface and soaked in, for want of a better term.

It's really hard to photograph and you can really only see it in certain light, but it looks like how paint looks if you don't dry properly after a wash, like dust has settled in the drops, then dried, but this is permanent.

I've tried ScratchX to little effect so the damage must be deep and I've been afraid of using anything harsher, but can anyone recommend a product which could help remove these marks?

[ZAS]

Hey Chris

What you are explaining about the water marks are called exactly that. Water marks. What actually happens is when the water evaporates on the car, the minerals in the water are left behind and these etch into the paint. On black cars this is a big problem as everything is so obvious on that colour.

So basically, fresh water marks are easily fixed with just a quick detail spray. Water marks from a few days ago that might have baked in the sun can often be removed with just a non-abrasive paint cleaner (polish), water marks that have been left for long periods of time need an abrasive polish applied by machine. And even then they can be an absolute PITA to remove.

The bird crap needs to be treated exactly the same way. It is the same result, just from a different source. If you have already tried with Scratch X then we can eliminate the use of a non-abrasive product. You'll need machine polishing which leaves you two options.

Option 1 - Pay a professional to machine polish your car. You are probably looking at about $400 for a quality detailer who will do an exceptional job. Avoid anyone who is cheap. You really get what you pay for and you don't want a hack taking a machine to your car. Not so much because they will do any permanent damage, but because just about everyone I have dealt with that goes down this track comes out the other end unhappy and out of pocket and with "buffer trials" all up their car. Let me know your location and I might be able to recommend someone if you like

Option 2 - DIY - You'll need a machine, pads and polish. We could put together a basic kit for about the same kind of money with an entry level machine (Megs G220) a few pads (cutting, polishing, finishing) and a medium cut compound and finishing polish.

Option 1 means you don't have to do the hard yards yourself, Option 2 you do, but you've got yourself a paint correction kit for next time.

Just about anyone can do a paint correction really. All you need is a basic understanding of how the different pads and polish work. Machines like the G220 are safe for a novice to use. The only draw back is it takes longer to remove the defects.

I always tell it like sanding in woodwork. You start with the heavier sandpaper to get rid of the defects, and then finish with lighter sandpaper to improve the finish. It's exactly the same except you have different levels of cut in your pads and polish.

[LILZLR]

Awesome advice Joel, should do a How - To thread for people

[Scratch2k]

Thanks for that Joel, very helpful! I'm working up a wishlist on ZAS right now

---------- Post added at 02:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:47 PM ----------

Awesome advice Joel, should do a How - To thread for people

There's already a very comprehensive guide on the ZAS site:

Car Detailing Products | Welcome to ZAS Detailing Products Store. Meguiars Car Care Products & More | Detailing Library

[ZAS]

Yep, that's our library so far. Expect major improvements on it soon incuding images, more topics.

[LILZLR]

Oh k very good to know will have to add that to my favourites folder

[ZAS]

It also need updating re. product recommendations etc. We have added about 100-150 products to the range since we put it on the site.

[blackbetty]

Scratch DMSDAN does trips down to Canberra to do detailing. I got him to do my car last year and plan ongetting him to do it once a year ... DMSDAN when is your next Canberra detailing trip planned ?

[Vanq]

My car needs a detail too

[CharlieBrown]

...I'm waitin for Joel to make a trip to Brisbane