Paint - fingerprints and smudges

[susie441]

Does anyone have paint issues with their 2010's? I have white smudge marks on both sides of my 4Runner that I didn't cause. My chrome drivers side door handle also has hazy smudge marks. I also have fingerprints/handprints on the doors and handprints on the hood that won't wash off. I handwashed it yesterday and went back with full strength Turtle Wax Ice car wash and the marks are still there. Do you think they would come off with wax or a clay bar? Thanks in advance

 

[JayceeP]

Does anyone have paint issues with their 2010's? I have white smudge marks on both sides of my 4Runner that I didn't cause. My chrome drivers side door handle also has hazy smudge marks. I also have fingerprints/handprints on the doors and handprints on the hood that won't wash off. I handwashed it yesterday and went back with full strength Turtle Wax Ice car wash and the marks are still there. Do you think they would come off with wax or a clay bar? Thanks in advance

Wax won't remove anything. Clay bar is for above surface contanimants. I would try a polish and take a microfibre pad and hand buff it out. Make sure you clean the surface and clay (if needed) first then polish. Buff off the polish. If it looks good, apply the wax to protect the area you polished down.

Start with the polish first... It will mildy remove a bit of the clear coat. If that doesn't work, you will need something more aggressive like a compound.

This is only what I know, and I am sure someone else with more knowledge will chime in. Good luck.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Does anyone have paint issues with their 2010's? I have white smudge marks on both sides of my 4Runner that I didn't cause. My chrome drivers side door handle also has hazy smudge marks. I also have fingerprints/handprints on the doors and handprints on the hood that won't wash off. I handwashed it yesterday and went back with full strength Turtle Wax Ice car wash and the marks are still there. Do you think they would come off with wax or a clay bar? Thanks in advance

Finger prints that won't wash off make me think 2 things.

1. Who ever left them had some kind of chemical on their fingers, that etched the clear coat.

2. It is a water spot that looks like a fingerprint. Water Spots also etch the clear, and need to be polished off.

I agree with JayceeP, and a mild polish, or finishing polish is probley your best bet. Can you get any pictures?

Before messing much with the finish of your car, you should educate yourself on the uses and difference between Clay, Compound, Polish, & Wax/Sealant.

Here is a decent place to start:

Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides

 

[Ramzey28]

Finger prints that won't wash off make me think 2 things.

1. Who ever left them had some kind of chemical on their fingers, that etched the clear coat.

2. It is a water spot that looks like a fingerprint. Water Spots also etch the clear, and need to be polished off.

I agree with JayceeP, and a mild polish, or finishing polish is probley your best bet. Can you get any pictures?

Before messing much with the finish of your car, you should educate yourself on the uses and difference between Clay, Compound, Polish, & Wax/Sealant.

Here is a decent place to start:

Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides

Sounds like suntan lotion on hands....??

 

[philsey]

Sounds like suntan lotion on hands....??

.... or DEET.

 

[susie441]

Thank you all! It very well could be sunscreen. We have 3 kids (I refuse to get a minivan) and we use sunscreen on them all summer. It washes off of our hands very easily with soap and water so I was surprised that the marks aren't coming off the paint. I guess there could be something in it that is etching my clearcoat. I'm going to try polish and if that doesn't work I may get it detailed. Thanks again

 

[Whiplash Willy]

I had no idea sunscreen could etch paint! Something I will have to look out for.

Sunscreen damage to paint.

Does it look like the pic in the link?

Some people said they were able to remove it with some All Purpose Cleaner, or a small amount of dish soap on a warm microfiber cloth. Others said they had to polish it out.

If you do use dish soap, be careful, and be sure to wax the area afterwards, as it will strip your wax. The same with polishing.

Your best bet though is to post on a detailing forum like, and get advice from the pro's.

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