what are these marks on my car?

It looks like the spray wax wasn't evenly applied. If it is extra material and rubs off when you apply pressure, then it's most likely wax. If it is the opposite and is actually cut into the clear coat, then something hit you.

 

Try going over it with some polish.

 

The car wash might have applied something.

Start with regular polish. If they're still there I'd moisten a cloth with kerosene, add a dab of polish, try some more. I found that worked good for tree sap.

Save rubbing compound for last, it might just "compound" the problem... (groaner)

 

Automated car washes apply waxing compounds. So yes you got it waxed. And that improper spray is usual with spray on (i.e. automatic carwash applications) waxes.

 

I wonder, would they wax every car that goes through, regardless of your paying for it or not? They just try to sell you on it upfront? Or they just screwed up on the settings.

 

If it were my car I would go back to the car wash first thing in the morning and ask to speak to the manager. He or she will know if it is something they did and will know how to make it right. If it has happened to your car, it will have happened to others as well. Incidentally, rubbing compound is an abrasive cleaner. It would be used, for example if another car had rubbed against yours and left some of their paint there. Think of it as a very fine sandpaper that can the shine from your paint.

 

I'm not sure, but don't think he's recommending rubbing compound as a solution. Perhaps read too quickly, was thinking RB was cause of your problem??

Anyway, I would definitely NOT start with rubbing compound, it's quite abrasive. And it's a good idea, the recommendation to talk with the car wash manager.

 

Have you tried just basic car wax? It should come right off

 

Well I’d do what @“Mendel Leisk” suggested or try rubbing alcohol and/or ammonia. Make sure that side is shaded and have a hose or spray bottle of water handy to wipe after applying. From your pictures, looks like soap and/or wax residue that never dissolved. Rubbing or polishing compound would be used as a last resort, and of the two I’d rather use jewelry polishing compound. After rinsing, use a good cleaner wax to get the remaining stuff you can’t see.

Edit: I use denatured alcohol to clean just about anything on a painted surface. You can get a small container at any home improvement or paint store/department. Rubbing alcohol is a more diluted version of denatured alcohol but use gloves and eye protection for any of those suggestions.

iPad ? Pro

 

Hang on did anyone try a wet rag yet? Looks like it could just be hard water spotting.

 

EV en with physical access to the car, often it's hard to tell exactly what problem is showing up in the paint.
I'm still trying to figure out what kind of paint/clear system Toyota uses, (urethane? / other?) because the different types don't always play nice together. I'm not a professional Auto Body Painter! and my prices reflect that in a major way LOL....

To me. (( looking at the pics, )) it looks like it could be mild abrasion to the clear coat.Since it looks like it's not into the base color at all yet.

I notice Tomca mentioned polishing compound and responses noted not using rubbing compound. I agree Mendal, I wouldn't use polishing compound or rubbing compound on them. at least not before trying less abrasive methods to try to determine what the marks actually are.

I notice (skimming quickly through the posts) that Tomca mentions using denatured alcohol for many paint related issues. I also use Mineral Spirits with most painted surfaces, not on all types of paint though. Turpentine is a bit harsher then either alcohol or mineral spirits, yet from my experience (doesn't) seen to harm the clear coat much if at all. On the other hand liberal use of lacquer thinner usually eats away at most clears and/or base colors without showing up while applying it, until after it too late. making the issue worse.

I'd recommend NOT trying to get rid of all the marks but Rather work on a small part of the mark(s) that are the least noticeable when looking at the car from all directions. At least until it's determined with reasonable certainty what the marks actually are and what to use to fix them. Than when you know what works best use that method to repair all of the marks.

Sorry, no concrete suggestions about what to use from looking at the pics. I'm not sure I would be able to determine what the marks actually are even if I was looking at them in person, until I tried a few of the methods already mentioned above by both Tomca and other members suggestions...

There are paint tricks that can be used if the marks are abrasions in the clear coat. I'd recommend being careful trying to remove the marks
if that is what the problem is, because you will only remove more clear from the area with the problem without helping the appearance of the problem area.

Once it's determined what type of paint and clear Toyota uses the easiest way to fix issues with the clar coat is to polish the area, clean it thoroughly with prep-sol and shoot it with a few coats of clearcoat of a OEM matching type clear, but that is not the method I'd suggest using without more knowledge of the problem, and, the solution to the problem to use for the best results.

 

And there is NO WAY I would waste my time and energy doing that.......since he has absolutely NO proof that they caused the marks.

Get some white (light duty) rubbing compound, clean off the marks and then apply some polish.

Gotta say, though, that those marks look a LOT like the ones I got when I "rubbed" a plastic wrapped concrete pole with my C. The clear coat tends to turn white when it is scraped.
I even got a very slight dent too.

 

"Rubbing compound?"
Rubbing compound comes in different levels of abrasiveness. The red rubbing compound is very abrasive and requires a knowledgeable touch. White polishing compound is less abrasive, but still has a potential for damage if used too hard or too much.

Try just a dry clean soft cotton cloth, old tee shirt or towel. If that won't rub it off, then try a polish labeled for removal of fine scratches. A light touch is a good touch. Less is more. It's better to leave some of the scratching than to rub too much and wear through part of the paint.

 

I like ScratchX 2.0 for light scratches to the clearcoat. It has strong solvents that get a lot of stuff off by itself. And I think it has diminishing abrasive so it doesn't leave more scratches if used correctly.

I'd definitely be very careful with random rubbing or polishing compound, because you could easily make things worse. Even with ScratchX you should be careful. I've never had a problem with it, but I'm also not too picky about my paint.