Waterspots!

[P1et]

So as some of you might know, we got the hood on my wife's Explorer re-painted about two months ago. As to let it cure, I only spray some Poorboys S&W on it after each wash so it at least protects it a bit.

She pulls up today and there are these two massive bird craps on the hood. Since we were going out, I decided I would at least spray some water on them to try to "wash them off" without putting a sponge to it. Didn't completey fix it, but better than nothing.

We just got home and I properly washed the hood, but I saw that the drops from earlier already stained in the paint. It was night time and I swear it wasn't on there for more than an hour.

Does this sound normal? Am I going to have to buff it off? How long does the paint need to "cure" before I can do that?

[Whitethunder46]

What drops are stained in the hood? The bird droppings or waterspots from the previous "rinsing"? If it's just waterspots, take some water/vinegar mixed 50/50 and spray it on and wipe it off like it was a QD. This is the #1 best tip I've ever learned from this board. I always do this to vehicles now to make them complete perfect if I'm not polishing.

If it's the bird droppings, you could try a paint cleanser by hand first before going to an all out polish.

[Brandon1]

I would try a polish, then just protect it with OCW. OCW has no silicones in it which is what you dont want to have on new paint. I have it on my fresh paint wth no problem. I got tired of it not being protected.

[P1et]

I checked on it this morning and was able to slightly remove some of the waterspots from the rinsing with some Poorboys S&W. Looks like I might have to try the water/vineger mix!

But I checked the spot where the bird droppings were and MAN that stained the paint BADLY! Really upset me as I can leave something on my truck in the sun pretty much all day and when rinsed off at night, it doesn't leave a mark.

However, on the Ford paint, it's like I have 5 minutes to remove it or it'll be there permanently. Riles me up!

[P1et]

What is a good way to remove the bird dropping? Put the PC to it?

And how long do you normally have to wait with new paint before you can polish it?

[Tropicality]

And how long do you normally have to wait with new paint before you can polish it?

I would like to know too. I got a new 07 Mazda on May 10th and 3 hours later I was rear ended :( got the bumper fixed on monday and I now want to get it polished/sealed asap.

How long should I wait before I can use a PC on it?

How long should I wait before I can polish it with a non-abrasive polish like Klasse AIO or Menzerna Finishing Polish by hand? and then seal it by hand?

[Gary Sword]

I have always heard to wait at 30 days but I have also talked to others who say it's best to wait 90 days.

[ScottB]

bird droppings can etch paint quickly, even thru some sealants. Thats why, even with new paint or painted areas I mask with a little pure carnauba. It still breathes but protects against the elements. Its the cleaners and abrasives you should stay away from. I would at this point try some XMT360 to remove the spots. I found it to work well on top of our Cadillac from droppings.

[P1et]

Thanks Killr. I'm hearing different things about when you can start protecting/polishing paints but I think we should be at the 60 days mark now.

I'll go ahead and just polish it with PO85RD and a gray pad, see if that helps.

[ScottB]

remember this , carnauba has to breathe. How does oxygen get into a plant ?? Not water but oxygen ?? It protects by refraction and thats why a 100% pure carnauba is ok to use on new bodywork. Paint sealants ?? Well I am not so sure, as they close or mask off the area.

[P1et]

That's a good point Scott, we're slapping a coat of wax on there when I get home tonight!

[Cheetah]

hey, you might want to try this. i learned this trick here on AG. i used to always get waterspots no matter what i did but if you put one capful of ONR into your wash mix then it will soften the water and no more waterspots! i tried it 2 weeks in a row now and it really works. i even waited like 5 mins after the wash before i dried to test it and there
were no waterspots at all. i would get them 100% of the time before. give it a try.

[P1et]

Thanks Cheetah, that's some good feedback. I don't usually have issues with waterspots, or hard water, but I let this stuff sit on a warm hood in the direct sun. Lessons learned...

I just did a quick detail on the Explorer and actually put some Poorboy S&W on the birdspot and it actually look it all off. I was quite surprised actually.

I slapped on a good layer of wax, no polishing yet...