User Tag List

Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Strange, unwashable milky stain

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default Strange, unwashable milky stain

    Hey, as the title states, I have this odd stain on the ( dont know how to explain it) side pillar of the car. kind of where the windscreen finishes on the right hand side of the car. It's this odd milky looking stain. Its not white white, more of a very light greyish colour. No matter what i do. I cannot wash it off. I've tried everything so far that I can think of?

    Any ideas?

    It's not a raised stain. When you run your finger across it it doesn't feel like there is anything there. Sort of like an oil mark. I dont park under any trees so I don't think its sap.

    did aliens do this to my car? its only about 4x4cm so its not huge. but its just always there.

  2. #2

    Default

    try some scratch remover on it to just clean the paint and then some wax mabey it'll help i'd say it has just slightly stained your paint in which the polish will clean and remove it

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    GoldCoast
    Posts
    302

    Default

    " It's this odd milky looking stain "

    Like the ones your mum used to find on the socks under your bed??

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    4,540

    Default

    Have you tried polishing and maybe a buff? Also maybe consider a very light cut 'n' polish? There is a chance is could be rust setting in...? A milky like colour I've seen when moisture gets under the paint. If you got an image that would help the diagnosis a bit with experienced members and detailers on the forum.

    I would try a good polish carnauba wax and if you got a buffer handy that might help. Although you will have to do the whole panel or maybe even the whole car if it works cause it will look funny having a shiny panel! If you can get hold of a image that will help and I can try make another assessment.

    With great power comes great fuel consumption...
    M P S
    - 6 - RR | Cobb AP | CAI | TIP | ATP GTX28R | 3.25" TMIC | SS DP | REM | 3" Zorst | SSP Anchors & Countershift | DBA Rotors | K/Springs | Upper & Lower Bracing | Alpine Type S 12" sub MRP-M500 Amp
    | Grille | STi Lip | Shark Fin | 6000K HID | Fog Light Tint | Twin DEFI gauges | Custom Decals & Badges | LED lighting | CF Mirrors & Pillars | Black rims Red callipers

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default

    I haven't tried to polish or buff yet. I might get a detailer to do the whole lot and point out this one area. Tried taking a picture but the sun is on the car at the moment and unfortunately i only have a phone camera which probably wouldn't be able to bring out much detail. It does seem as it is under the paint though. If i press my finger on the mark and rub it will dissapear for a second and then re-surface. Kind of like when you press your finger and it turns white for a second before the blood comes back.

    Unfortunately I don't have access to a buffer, but I might try buy some polish. Don't really trust myself with anything more then a basic wash and wax though.

    Ill keep the suggestions in mind though. Apart from Magoo's

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Wahroonga
    Age
    36
    Posts
    903

    Default

    I dunno, sounds bad. The fact that it oes away when you apply pressure to it points to some kind of moisture under the clear coat. I would def get it to a detailer and get their opinion. They may be able to dry it out (possible with the help of a solvent if its water) then apply a sealer to the area to prevent recurrance.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    4,540

    Default

    I've got this feeling it may have to be stripped back, rust treated and resprayed (the whole panel). When/if moisture gets under the paint rust starts to set in (under the paintwork). Rust is like a cancer and has to be treated at the source and removed completely otherwise it will reappear. That is assuming it is a under surface problem which sounds to be the case.

    To try something else and I'm going out on a limb here...maybe tap with your fingernail along the problem area and also the unaffected area. Is the sound the same? A difference in sound could mean a difference in density, meaning there's something going on under the paint more than meets the eye. Should sound tinny (typically) but when you tap along the problem area the tinny sound may have a little more base tone to it?

    A detailer should know what the problem is if you wish to take it to one, and might also have the solution. Hopefully not a case of rust!

    With great power comes great fuel consumption...
    M P S
    - 6 - RR | Cobb AP | CAI | TIP | ATP GTX28R | 3.25" TMIC | SS DP | REM | 3" Zorst | SSP Anchors & Countershift | DBA Rotors | K/Springs | Upper & Lower Bracing | Alpine Type S 12" sub MRP-M500 Amp
    | Grille | STi Lip | Shark Fin | 6000K HID | Fog Light Tint | Twin DEFI gauges | Custom Decals & Badges | LED lighting | CF Mirrors & Pillars | Black rims Red callipers

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default

    I tried tapping on the area and continuing down to the unaffected area and the sound is the same. This is up and down the front side pillar only that the tapping sound is the same on the affected and unaffected area.

    How is it possible that moisture could get under only that small part and not anywhere else? there are no scratches or cracks in the paint ( that is visible to my eye ). I have taken my car a few times to car washes like Crystal car wash where they use high pressure hoses. Are these sorts of high pressure washes no good? Some detailers state they use high pressure wash/foam wash where as others use soft hand wash. Would one be better then the other?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    4,540

    Default

    Fair enough so the 'tap' test doesn't help

    It may be possible moisture has got past the seals to the side of the panel. Being cool weather there's a chance the moisture has sat there for a prolonged period before evaporating. In hot weather its not a problem cause in 10mins the vehicle is dry. This is all assuming 'moisture' is in fact the problem though. At least we can sort of assume this is a worst-case scenario. I don't want to lead you down a path of "rust problem" when I don't know 100% what's wrong1

    It be worth while contacting Joel (ZAS) on here and ask he doesn't mind shedding some professional advice on the matter. He's probably seen this sort of thing plenty of times before. Hard to tell if its a surface problem, clearcoat issue, or undercoat issue. I find it unlikely to be a problem on the surface of the paint, unless someone deliberately put some sort of stain either by accident or out of spite?

    With great power comes great fuel consumption...
    M P S
    - 6 - RR | Cobb AP | CAI | TIP | ATP GTX28R | 3.25" TMIC | SS DP | REM | 3" Zorst | SSP Anchors & Countershift | DBA Rotors | K/Springs | Upper & Lower Bracing | Alpine Type S 12" sub MRP-M500 Amp
    | Grille | STi Lip | Shark Fin | 6000K HID | Fog Light Tint | Twin DEFI gauges | Custom Decals & Badges | LED lighting | CF Mirrors & Pillars | Black rims Red callipers

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default

    Sweet. Thanks Rog. Ill see what i can come up with. Thanks for your help.

  11. #11

    Default

    Hi mate. If you can post a picture I might be able to help. If I don't recognise the problem I've got plenty of professionals just an email or phone call away

  12. #12

    Default

    TONE, Hi. If this is a relatively new MPS then it seems very strange for it to be rust or paint lifting, unless you got the car 2nd hand and it is some prior damage or repair. Depending on your warranty and owner history status, I'd go to the dealer first. Mazda paint is usually damn good, and modern applications rarely lift.

    Whatever, ask your local Mazda who does all their recommended or referred repairs and/or then take it to them or a TOP panel shop, preferably one who does Mazda repairs for routinely (as I do), for an opinion BEFORE you mess with a bunch of reagents, polishes and other efforts to remediate it, for you may make any future proper effort impossible.

    If the guys don't seem to be interested or know or care about it, then try another place. The industry is full of useless wallies who try to sound knowledgeable but know SFA.

    This may seem a hassle but you are starting from a known position. If it is a prior repair you may discover something you need to know re safety of the pillar and/or the airbag deployment. Do NOT mess with it prior to doing this.

    Added later: Don't wish to alarm you, but depending on your owner status, if you bought it 2nd hand, then make sure you keep track of all your conversations and inquiries with 3rd parties. You might need to have some recourse to a dealer for some 2nd hand warranty or even for failing to report a significant repair to you.

    Good luck.
    Last edited by Doug_MPS6; 16-08-2010 at 05:32 PM.
    CP_e Standback & PNP; CP_e 3" SS Downpipe; Corksport FMIC with Top-mount K&N filter & OEM Ram CAI; Turbosmart BOV; Dashhawk; Prosport Boost Guage; JBR solid shift bushes; DBA 4000 Wiper-Slot front rotors; Hawk Ferro-Carbon HPS Street front brake pads (@ 69,000km); Sumitomo HTRZIII's in 225/45 x 18

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Wahroonga
    Age
    36
    Posts
    903

    Default

    Good point doug. Rust or any type of damage on that pillar would be considered structural and could lead to difficulties gettting the car registered.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default

    I purchased the car brand new about 2.5 years ago. Never been in any accidents/hail damage/any other sort of damage.

    I'll try and take some photos tomorrow. Not sure how the phone camera will be able to handle the level of detail required to see it. It's very faint and barely visible until you get about half a meter or closer from the spot. I think a photo will be a lot more help then my description, so as mentioned, i'll do my best to take some tomorrow morning.

  15. #15

    Default

    Great! You must still be under warranty. Have you had words with the dealer yet?
    I'm intrigued by the variable appearance that you described when you touch the mark, that suggests it is not just a stain. Bizarre! Let us know how you go. I'm out of ideas.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    38
    Posts
    464

    Default

    I've taken a photo on my camera but it is so hard to see the mark. You see more of my reflection in the paint then you do the actual stain. I Haven't spoken to the dealer yet as I have a full detail booked in next Monday so was going to wait to see if it gets removed during that.

    Maybe it was extra terrestrials.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •