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Tree droppings

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Taxi/Limo, Jul 11, 2016.

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  1. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Hello
    I park my White 2010 Prius under the trees for shade and I did not wash it for over a month
    The trees left a lot of stuff on the paint (no bird poop)
    I washed the car and some markings remained ...I noticed if I rub the spots a little they come off (but it will take some time) so they don't seem permanent.

    Two questions
    What is a good way to get all those little marks off without damaging the paint ?
    What is a good wax I can use to keep the car looking good?

    Thanks folks

    PSI am going to get a car cover so this doesn't happen again
     
    #1 Taxi/Limo, Jul 11, 2016
  2. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    I would clay-bar the paint, Mothers Wax's has a kit and it cost around $20.00. It is very easy to use and will remove most contaminates from the paint, leaving the paint feeling smooth and soft.
     
    #2 orenji, Jul 11, 2016
  3. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    That is a great suggestion
    I found the Mother's website and their kit is about 30 dollars
    I also found this stuff called Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay they claim it's the best clay available .
    Any comments on the best clay to use and while you're at it can anyone recommend a good wax ?
    Thanks
     
    #3 Taxi/Limo, Jul 11, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2016
  4. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    They sell bug and tar remover ... I have also used kerosene or lamp oil depending on what I have around. Tree sap can damage paint -- so get it off. Almost any wax will make removing this easier in the future.

    Clay is great -- but it not really for removing large impurities. Remember they get imbedded in the clay. Remove the big stuff first -- they clay.
     
    #4 yeldogt, Jul 11, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2016
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I use Meguire's but I don't know if it is any better or worse than any other brand.

    I agree with yeldogt. Try bug & tar remover first. Then wash, clay & wax the car. The faster stuff comes off the car the less damage it will do.
     
    #5 JimN, Jul 11, 2016
  6. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You want to try with clay barring first, see if it comes off with the clay bar first. Bug and Tar remove is a pretty strong cleaner and you want to use products that have the least amount of harshness to the paint. It sounds like you have tree sap, and its still fresh, do try to remove it as soon as possible. You should be able to pick up a claybar kit for $20.00 at Pepboys. I like Mothers waxes.
     
    #6 orenji, Jul 11, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2016
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I used a rag wetted with kerosene with a dab of car wax. Worked best for me, dealing with fresh tree sap.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jul 12, 2016
  8. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions I stopped at a body shop today and shop manager rubbed a little car wax on one of the stains and he got 90% of it out

    So I"m wondering what's least damaging to the paint to use wax to rub out the stains or to use clay bar

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #8 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  9. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Clay Bar is used with liquid wax. The clay helps pick up particles stuck on the paint, if hand wax removed it, why not just wax your car by hand?
     
    #9 orenji, Jul 13, 2016
  10. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    There's a lot of deposits not just a few that's why
    I was wondering what is best to do first
    if I waxed it and there was some marks left would that be the time to clay bar ?

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #10 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  11. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    I should elaborate some of the deposits are stains most are little lumps or irregularities on the paint surface

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #11 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    I think you will need to try several products and see what works best. It's hard for anyone to recommend one mothod over another without testing it. You may need to use a cleaner, polish and wax. Plan on having a full day available and shade or garage to work in.
     
    #12 orenji, Jul 13, 2016
  13. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    I did a wash with Dr Bonner soap and used kitchen nylon scrub pad and gently worked on each spot a lot of them came off but now I notice what looks like little white marks where I scrubbed
    Did I damage the paint? How can I fix this?

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #13 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Those nylon scrub pads are quite abrasive. Try something that will act as a tree pitch solvent. Again, kerosene worked well for me, coupled with a dab of car polish. In a pinch any petroleum product will do, say WD40.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Jul 13, 2016
  15. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    I really didn't scrub but rubbed

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #15 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  16. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    OK

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #16 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  17. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    That's my next step I tried a little wax and it did not work well so now I need to find some kerosene

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #17 Taxi/Limo, Jul 13, 2016
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any hardware store should it, in little quart bottles. It's kinda similar to gasoline, but less volatile. Used in traditional wick lamps.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Jul 13, 2016
  19. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    What about charcoal lighter fluid?

    Nexus 6 ?
     
    #19 Taxi/Limo, Jul 14, 2016
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Probably similar, but more volatile?

    Kerosene is recommended for motorcycle chain cleaning, that's why I picked some up. It's slower to evaporate. Readily available.

    Just looking now on Home Depot, not seeing quarts, just gallons. But should be out there.
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Jul 14, 2016
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