Need advice on safely removing paint stains

[LIT4R]

So my trusty spot at work was taken and I was forced to park under a pipe. For reference, I live in NY and park in an older underground parking lot. It appears that water dripped off the pipe and onto my car. I have scrubbed with soapy water and a brush with no effect. I briefly ran my finger nail and it appears to take the surface off but its still discolored.

If anyone has any advice to safely get this off the paint, I’d appreciate it! Thank you.

 

[mordotz]

Hopefully the water wasn’t anything corrosive. My recommendation would be to try to buff it out with a compound like the one below with a foam pad / microfiber cloth.


Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5HCZ9M/

 

[OedipusRecs]

I would start with a claybar to remove any paint contamination and then do as suggested above with rubbing compound and then polish.

 

[jhguth]

iron-x and claybar or clay towell then buff with a non-agressive compound like the meguires suggested

or just file an insurance claim.

if it was me i'd try to remove the contaminants and try some light buffing but would file an insurance claim and pay my $50 and let a bodyshop deal with it after that.

 

[LIT4R]

Thank you for the responses so far!

I spoke with my office building's landlord and they are sending a company to "buff it out" within the next 2 weeks. I think I am going to take the advice of those so far and try to bar it out and then use meguiars.

I am honestly hoping it doesn't need paint work and can't believe that a stain that has been there for no longer than two days could do permanent damage. :redbrick:

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

I bet some spray on cleaner/polish will get it right off. I use it on my motorcycle and sometimes my car for stubborn stuff. Never had an issue. Just use a clean mf towel, spray on, wipe well, allow to dry, buff out.
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish | MotoSport

 

[mteolus]

Clay Magic. Try this first. I have doubts it will work but it is worth a shot.

You can also try this and see if it works. If it doesn't you can return it no charge.

 

[Grug556]

Clay and cleaners is the way to go. That said if you are very very carefully use Acetone..it may prove an acceptable last resort. Use small amounts with a clean cloth. Do not scrub or use hard pressure. Basically you want to just take off a minute amount of the top clear. Careful you dont dig through the clear. Use clay and other cleaners first. Acetone..is the end bit.

The colouration looks like some sort of oil/petroleum type product in the drip.

 

[jhguth]

it looks like water from a sprinkler line, they're full of oil and rust

 

[LIT4R]

it looks like water from a sprinkler line, they're full of oil and rust

That's exactly what I was parked under.

 

[llDemonll]

Thank you for the responses so far!

I spoke with my office building's landlord and they are sending a company to "buff it out" within the next 2 weeks. I think I am going to take the advice of those so far and try to bar it out and then use meguiars.

I am honestly hoping it doesn't need paint work and can't believe that a stain that has been there for no longer than two days could do permanent damage. :redbrick:

don't touch it.

the minute you touch it it's now your responsibility to fix it.

 

[LIT4R]

don't touch it.

the minute you touch it it's now your responsibility to fix it.

That was my first instinct but I'm worried about two things:

1) Whether whoever they are sending will competently do this and not mess up my paint further;

2) A mitigation of damages issue, in that the paint gets worse before they come to fix it.

I do understand your point though. I find it very stupid to even be in this position.

 

[ElectroBoy]

That was my first instinct but I'm worried about two things:

1) Whether whoever they are sending will competently do this and not mess up my paint further;

2) A mitigation of damages issue, in that the paint gets worse before they come to fix it.

I do understand your point though. I find it very stupid to even be in this position.

I understand your hesitation. I’d try to treat it myself on a small test area before letting someone else attempt a remedy. First, get that oil off, if that’s what it is. Try a solvent like naphtha, such as Coleman lantern fuel, white gas. That will safely remove oil or grease. I would not use acetone. Use a soft cloth or a q-tip first on a small area. If it works continue on the whole area. Then follow it up with isopropyl alcohol, 90% if possible. Of course be careful due to flammability.

Then try one of the polishing products previously described to remove the rust.
Here’s an article with some more detail.
Removing Rust Stains From Paintwork | Car Cleaning Guru

 

[Dillusion]

That was my first instinct but I'm worried about two things:

1) Whether whoever they are sending will competently do this and not mess up my paint further;

2) A mitigation of damages issue, in that the paint gets worse before they come to fix it.

I do understand your point though. I find it very stupid to even be in this position.

The building is working with you to get it fixed. I honestly would have them try and take care of it. Don't give um any outs to not finish the job correctly.

Now if they said go pound sand I would try my self.

 

[mteolus]

YouTube video on how to remove rust from auto paint. The actual removal starts at 2:00. He uses several products including a clay bar. He finds the Meguiar's Ultimate Polish works the best.

 

[llDemonll]

That was my first instinct but I'm worried about two things:

1) Whether whoever they are sending will competently do this and not mess up my paint further;

2) A mitigation of damages issue, in that the paint gets worse before they come to fix it.

I do understand your point though. I find it very stupid to even be in this position.

you touch it, the building can't fix it and they go "well customer tried to fix it and made it worse, we can't take responsibility for that".

You don't touch it and building can't fix, you get insurance involved and building pays to have it repainted

 

[LIT4R]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Got impatient and did it myself. Took a good while with a clay bar but got it all off.

 

[mteolus]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Got impatient and did it myself. Took a good while with a clay bar but got it all off.

Awesome.

 

[BlueRunner428]

Hey all, I have a minor stain issue. I was trying to wipe off what I thought was just some dirt with a microfiber cloth and some Meguiar's cleaning spray but I think it must have been bird crap or something because it smeared and stained and even seems to have scratched a bit I tried using Turtle Wax stain remover by that hasn't done anything. It is on the hood and not super noticeable, but definitely still visible if you look. Would a clay bar treatment fix it?

I need to get the vehicle in for a paint protection treatment.

 

[Humble Leader]

^^^

try the claybar. if that doesn't work try a light paste polish, that should take out the clear coat scratches. you could get more abrasive with rubbing compound but you probably won't need it. once scratches are out wax the area