[jks]

I hope someone can help me. I have a White Opal Enclave and I noticed that we collect a lot bugs on the side mirrors. All my other cars had black side mirrors, so this was never really an issue before. I washed the car today and realized that some of the innards have stained the drivers side mirror. I can't even scrape at it with my nail. It seems that it has seeped into the plastic, so now I have this reddish-orange splotch on my mirror. Has anyone else had this problem, and is there anything I can do to fix it? I guess that I am going to have to clean my mirrors every time I come home. Could this be an issue with any of the lighter color cars, or is this just a isolated case?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[FlavorClav]

I use WD-40 to remove any bug parts, dirt rub, or oil stains on my vehicles. Then I wash it with soap (for cars) and water. If you wax your car verfy often without removing the old wax with soap, you'll eventually end up with a thick coat and you'll notice that stains and dirt on your car are very easy to come off. Hope that helps.

 

[coopermine]

Won't WD-40 stain the white color?

 

[Top Dog]

My son details three autos and said will not use WD-40. He uses Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit with Their Quick Touch up spray wax.
I had the same problem on my Enclave Front End. He detailed my Enclave this week end and the bugs came off, but it took a lot of "elbow Grease" Make sure to keep the area wet with the spray.
After he detailed it it looks better than when I received it!

 

[Guest]

After he detailed it it looks better than when I received it!

cool send him over here to clean our cars. ;D ;D

 

[FlavorClav]

I don't have a white car so I can't tell you if WD-40 stains white. But I do have a light-colored car and I use it to remove the stains underneath behind the wheels, front bumper, etc. I don't use it liberally. I spray it on a rag then I use the rag to wipe off the dirt. Then I wash it off with soap and water, then wax. We've been doing this to our cars for 20 years now and no WD-40 side effects.

 

[FlavorClav]

Forgot to mention. Claying is also a great way to remove old wax, stains, bugs, road grime, etc. It's primary purpose is to restore faded paint back to it's shine. It's hard work and requires patience and proper amount of clay. You also have to use the right clay. There's plenty of instructions and guides on the web. Here's a good one to start: http://www.web-cars.com/detail/clay.php. My suggestion is for such a new vehicle, you shouldn't need to clay it. Remove the stains as best as you can and apply one of those special multi-stage wax like Zaino. Your body panels will look like mirrors. Then all you have to do is wax it regularly.

 

[osli]

Actually, claying a brand new vehicle isn't a bad idea. After the rail dust and/or road grime from shipping and the dealer detailing (which doesn't always involve things in the best interest of your paint, just in the best interests of "looks at the moment" and speed), I think the first thing I would do before putting a good wax or synthetic polish on the vehicle would be to clay it back to smooth and clean.

 

[FlavorClav]

Good point. I've never done it but I've washed and waxed my new cars as soon as I took delivery, even before cruising around.

 

[coldtex]

I used the Mothers clay on my black truck, had some overspray on it that I didn't notice when I bought it. I was amazed how this stuff wiped away paint droplets that you couldn't chip off with a fingernail, yet doesn't harm the paint. It does require alot of elbow grease though, I can't imagine doing and entire vehicle with it. Be sure to keep the paint surface wet, it makes the clay glide over the imperfection and remove it without harming your finish.

 

[Mapper]

Fact or fiction? I've heard on a few different occasions that a freshly painted car should NOT be waxed and to wait at least 3 months.

Not that I'll have that problem anytime soon with the REGIONAL PRICING ADJUSTMENTS in my area! :banghead:

 

[coldtex]

After my truck was painted following repairs for hail damage, the body shop told me to hold off waxing it for 3 months to allow the paint and clearcoat to cure. Part of the new car smell when you walk into the garage is the paint curing. My pickup had a sweet/solvent smell for about 3 months following the paint job, so I buy it, don't wax for 3 months. If your like my wife, none of the impurities stay on her Enclave for more than two days anyway. ;D ;D