1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Weird Spots on Paint

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by swissian, Jun 19, 2013.

  1. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I just had my bumper replaced this last week. They had to paint the hood and sides by the hood to ensure color match. It just rained here yesterday and now my Prius has these weird spots all over. Some seem kind of tar like but scrubbing with a strong soap and textured cloth does nothing to remove them. Most feel smooth and only a few seemed raised. I was wondering if any of you have an idea what could have caused this? I have never had this happen before!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  2. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    917
    188
    0
    Location:
    Clarksburg, MD
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Rail dust is what that looks like from my phone. Use a claybar and it should clear it up.

    Fingered from my phone using Taptalk version 9 Beta
     
    #2 peterjmc, Jun 19, 2013
  3. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Rail dust on brand new paint that only appeared after it rained? It is just weird that all of a sudden I would get so much when I have never had it happen before!
     
    #3 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  4. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2009
    294
    176
    0
    Location:
    Western North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    N/A
    It does look like tar and I wonder if you were parked in an area that was recently resurfaced or drove over a resurfaced roadway? I would try mineral spirits, sometimes sold as bug and tar remover. Go at it gently as you don't want to abrade the surface.

    No doubt more opinions will follow.
     
    #4 GrGramps, Jun 19, 2013
    Merkey likes this.
  5. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    917
    188
    0
    Location:
    Clarksburg, MD
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Ohh I have misread your post! Maybe its oxidation from poor paint prep. Is that just on the fender?

    Fingered from my phone using Taptalk version 9 Beta
     
    #5 peterjmc, Jun 19, 2013
  6. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    It is on the bumper, hood, and driver's side fender mostly/ side. It could be tar as I did pass some road construction but it just seems strange that this would be the first time I have had this problem. I will try some bug and tar remover tomorrow.

    Thanks for you guys help!
     
    #6 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  7. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    751
    223
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Take it back and make them do it over the right way.
     
    #7 gliderman, Jun 19, 2013
  8. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    742
    329
    109
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    try tar-x tarminator
     
    #8 mrstop, Jun 19, 2013
  9. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Did they do it the wrong way?
     
    #9 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  10. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Is that safe on a car that was painted a week ago? I know clearcoat needs time to breathe and I am worried about damaging it!
     
    #10 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  11. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    742
    329
    109
    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sorry i gave the wrong product. It is Tarminator. Good question. My guess is that it wouldn't be any worse than the tar (if that is what it is). It pretty much melts the tar away pretty quick and then you rinse. But your best bet is to probably ask the paint shop before you do damage.
     
    #11 mrstop, Jun 19, 2013
  12. ftl

    ftl Explicator

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    1,812
    790
    0
    Location:
    Long Island NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I would have the body shop look at it before you try anything yourself.
     
    #12 ftl, Jun 19, 2013
    Merkey likes this.
  13. swissian

    swissian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2012
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    West Chester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Ugh, I have to drive 5 hours to do that. Good thing I was heading up this weekend anyways!
     
    #13 swissian, Jun 19, 2013
  14. Bingee

    Bingee Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2013
    210
    62
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    New paint , I think has to cure, if it was my car , I would have the body shop look at it
    And either remove the spots or tell you what to use or not use... Good luvk
     
    #14 Bingee, Jun 19, 2013
    Merkey likes this.
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Oh man that's really bad. Don't let your wife know.
     
    #15 32kcolors, Jun 19, 2013
    peterjmc and WE0H like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)