Can't remove soap stains on paint

[Hondaman_MI]

Washed doing the 2 bucket method, using Meguiar's super soap. I was having problems with my water hose at home, as a result, some of the soapy water dried before I could rinse it off. It appears to have stained my paint or etched into the clear coat, with a white outline. I tried removing with detailing spray, and the next day tried polish, neither work. What should I do?

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[Tyler]

Do you have any photos of the damage? More than likely, they are mineral deposits from hard water that have formed on the paint. Lower quality soaps tend not to encapsulate the minerals well enough to prevent this.

Assuming this is the case, you will need a light abrasive to fully remove. We typically machine polish, but at times wetsanding is required when very hard water was used, hot panels during wash, etc. I would start by either consulting a local professional detailer about their polishing services, or, if you are the DIY type, you could pickup some Meguiars Ultimate Compound from the local hardware store and try removing them with a hand polishing pad - just note that modern clear does not polish well by hand, but luckily soft Honda paint is on your side.

 

[silverrascal]

Do you have any photos of the damage? More than likely, they are mineral deposits from hard water that have formed on the paint. Lower quality soaps tend not to encapsulate the minerals well enough to prevent this.

Assuming this is the case, you will need a light abrasive to fully remove. We typically machine polish, but at times wetsanding is required when very hard water was used, hot panels during wash, etc. I would start by either consulting a local professional detailer about their polishing services, or, if you are the DIY type, you could pickup some Meguiars Ultimate Compound from the local hardware store and try removing them with a hand polishing pad - just note that modern clear does not polish well by hand, but luckily soft Honda paint is on your side.

Just a question and since you're a detail pro I thought I'd ask... Would using a clay bar help in the OP's situation?

 

[civicls]

Just a question and since you're a detail pro I thought I'd ask... Would using a clay bar help in the OP's situation?

I think a clay bar would work perfectly, no need for compunding new paint.

 

[Hondaman_MI]

Today, I ended up using a small amount of vinegar diluted with water. It instantly removed the spots. I washed my car properly after to make sure no vinegar remained on the paint.

 

[Tyler]

Clay, IPA, or a dedicated waterspot remover would work if the spots are fresh.

To clarify, I recommended consulting a professional as they would have the correct products to use. Compounding wouldn't be necessary; a light polish, maybe. Meguiars Ultimate Compound is far from an actual compound, especially if used by hand lol.

The downside to using home remedies is that:

1) If you're not using a lubricating product, you're more than likely going to damage the paint (swirls). So a professional would most likely remove via chemical methods or clay if needed, then gently polish the area to rectify any damage and endure all the deposit is removed. This wouldn't take long.

2) If you don't properly flush any chemicals off and neutralize the surface, you're asking for potential problems down the road or immediately if the initial products were used incorrectly, in wrong dilution ratios, etc.

Also remember that vinegar will often work great, but spots can return as you may have only removed the outer edge of the deposit.

Either way, glad it worked out well for you! You're lucky that you caught it early. If it had sat outside on a hot day under hard water sprinklers, that would be a different story lol. I'm happy to help if you need further.

 

[Hondaman_MI]

All washed and spot free!

 

[Nanook]

https://www.chemicalguys.com/heavy-duty-water-spot-remover/water-spot-remover.html

Great stuff

 

[Hondaman_MI]

Thanks, good info. I've used clay bars in the past, and haven't been successful. Even with the provided lubricant, I managed to scratch paint. Black is not very forgiving, but it's taught me more about basic detailing. Pretty sure my next car will be a lighter color.

 

[Nanook]

I’m never going to own another black car! Dirty as soon as you leave the driveway

 

[Hondaman_MI]

I told myself I didn't want another black car. They pulled it up for a test drive, and I caved lol. Oh well too late, as long as I wash it once a week it's decent looking. I'm moving to SC soon, I was surprised how many black Honda's I saw. Accord sports with dark tint are very popular there.

 

[Nanook]

South Carolina? In the spring? With a black car?

You’re going to have a yellow car!! Pollen like you’ve never seen

 

[Hondaman_MI]

South Carolina? In the spring? With a black car?

You’re going to have a yellow car!! Pollen like you’ve never seen

At least I can wash my car there, unlike this frozen wasteland. The ice was so bad this year, 150 people went to my local ER from falling in 2 days, some broke bones and died from hitting their head. I stepped outside my door, instantly fell and hit my head hard on concrete steps. We couldn't even get mail delivered. I'm over it. There's years it doesn't consistently warm up until July. I'll take heat and pollen over that. Northern states have pollen too.

 

[Nanook]

At least I can wash my car there, unlike this frozen wasteland. The ice was so bad this year, 150 people went to my local ER from falling in 2 days, some broke bones and died from hitting their head. I stepped outside my door, instantly fell and hit my head hard on concrete steps. We couldn't even get mail delivered. I'm over it. There's years it doesn't consistently warm up until July. I'll take heat and pollen over that. Northern states have pollen too.

That’s terrible!! We lived in Michigan for a bit, learned we weren’t made for the northern climes.

 

[Tyler M]

Thanks, good info. I've used clay bars in the past, and haven't been successful. Even with the provided lubricant, I managed to scratch paint. Black is not very forgiving, but it's taught me more about basic detailing. Pretty sure my next car will be a lighter color.

Clay bars are only made to decontaminate the paint. This being said, clay bars will only remove fresh water spots because the minerals have not set into the clear coat yet. A "heavy" type of clay bar will ad marring to the paint as it is removing very heavy contaminating out of the paint. Usually when you use a clay bar you should polish afterwards.

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