Water damage to paint

[mjposner]

My outside car gets covered, and the cover gets wet from both rain and my well (well is very deep and I get no rust stains). I used to fold up cover and place on the hood of my garaged car. I went on a trip and left the cover on the hood for 5 days and when I came back I had this water stain:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5AHWXNmMC_8/VZkvw6qBkxI/AAAAAAABRNU/tMJCjBpcuEA/s1152/20150704_191052.jpg

I tried vinegar to no avail. Clay Bar? Help and thanks

[Goin Rogue]

What car, paint type? (Single Stage,Based/Clear)

[mjposner]

Its a 1965 Chevrolet Corvair. Do not know what paint it has, not factory original. Plus it has a clear coat (peeled away previously in bottom middle right as shown.)

[Setec Astronomy]

How long has it been since you took the folded cover off? I would give it some time to dry out--but I have heard of this before and usually that damage is permanent IIRC.

BTW vinegar is used for topical stains--you have something that has penetrated the paint. I would give it a week or two and see if it improves any (from airing out).

[mjposner]

Its been 7 days

[Setec Astronomy]

if it's been that long it's probably permanent--have you tried pulling it out in the sun for a bit? I remember this coming up on another forum but I don't remember what the fix was, if it was something short of a repaint.

The other thing is you could try polishing a small section by hand or machine and see if that improves it. Of course be careful if you have thin clear, and it's possible the oils from the polish will mask the stain temporarily.

[mjposner]

Some have suggested a clay bar or maybe a polishing compound. I suspect i will have to repaint.