Still dirty

[TheUAccord23]

Washed my car recently, and noticed for the first time that the "wash me" a friend fingered on the hood is still there from over 2 years ago (i think)! I must have given 4 seperate, good scrub downs the last time i washed it and the damn thing won't dissapear! I know the sun is a paint job's worst enemy and it can bake crud right into the car, but i've been parking in a garage everyday; so what the hell?!?! Can anyone suggest anything to get it so fresh and so clean again? Or is a fresh coat of paint the only remedy here?

 

[ryan s]

tried a clay bar yet?

 

[TheUAccord23]

I've been hesitant to use a clay bar because i've had bad luck with scratch removal products in the past. I know it's not the same, but i just feel more comfortable wrenching than messing around with the exterior; know what i mean? Clay bar would probably work, though; any tips for success when using it? And thanks for the suggestion.

 

[DarkElegance919]

i've used it a couple of times and it's nothing to get worried about...just follow the instruction. i loved the results, sooooo smooth!

 

[ryan s]

it took quite a bit of spray paint off my trunk and made it look less noticeable (assholes ).

tips: keep it wet (lol) and rotate it frequently sorry

 

[Sinful]

Yeah make sure you keep it wet when you claybar like ryan said, and use the stuff it comes with or tells you to use. After that give it a polish(don't really have to but its better) and a good wax(must). I would recommend meguiars from my own experience. good luck son.

 

[Totalimmortal]

It's rather straight forward. My mom taught me how to do it when I was like 13 or 14 years old.

I've used both Mother's and Meguiars clay bar products, they're results are identical. Get whatever is cheaper.

 

[DaAccord98]

give it a compound and ur good

 

[Fish]

Not too sure clay will help in this case. What probably happened was that your paint got scratched by the dirt when someone wrote 'wash me' on your paint. Clay doesn't remove any scratches, just takes away junk that sits on top of the paint.

Some kind of polsih or compound to remove the scratches might be your best bet. Just remember to go for the least agressive product first, just in case. You can start with some of the more common scratch removers and stuff. If that doesn't work, Meguiar's has some really good polishes you can use to remove the marks. Just look for the mirror glaze line in the tan bottles. Maybe some of their fine cutting compound?

 

[TheUAccord23]

Doesn't seem to be a scratch, Fish; just dirt. But I'll probably do a polish first, like you suggested. Scratch removal products is what has me worried to begin with; went to remove a small scratch in the past, and ended up with pretty ugly swirl marks and a still-visible scratch. Thanks for all the suggestions, fellas. I'll let you all know how it worked out. Thanks again.