Bonnet f$3ked up by tree sap / bird s&*t?

[GabrielKnight]

My Williams has been off the road for a few months and foolishly left under a tree. I spent hours washing the car this afternoon getting all the sticky dust off, but the paintwork on the bonnet looks messed up, no matter how much I wash it.

I can't get a very good photo of it but it looks pretty bad, like most of the shine has gone where the sap / dust has soaked into the paint itself. As well as being mottled all over, there are worm like, almost fractal designs, caused by who knows what - bird crap? leaves?

Fortunately, the rest of the bodywork has cleaned up okay - it's just the bonnet.

I realise it's all my own fault so no need to point out how stupid I was to leave it there.

Is there anything I can do to fix it?

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[Wobba]

Clay bar would be one way, followed by light duty cutting compound. After that you could use some kind of polish then a sealant.

Professional detailer with a machine polisher is another option.

[GabrielKnight]

Problem posting images, sorry. Here they are:


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[GabrielKnight]

Well, I spent an hour or two trying different things - clay, no improvement, WD40, nothing, rubbing alcohol, nada!

Can anyone confirm from the pictures that it is tree sap? I need to identify it in order to choose the best form of action.
The car's been out in torrential rain and baking hot days and I think whatever it is has really taken hold.

If it's of any interest, the bonnet looks fine when wet, it's only when it goes bone dry that I can see any more shine in some areas than others?

Could it just be that whatever was on it has just stripped the wax in the pattern where it landed? Is there a safe and easy way to strip all wax to see if I can make it look even?

Or am I barking up the wrong tree and something has actually been dissolved into the paint to make it look duller in some areas?

[dave17]

This needs lots of Products and a few days with a PC.

[GabrielKnight]

This needs lots of Products and a few days with a PC.

Wtf does that mean - are you 'on the pipe'?

[jamiecrookston83]

The best thing to use for that is autosmart g101 or Meguiars apc. They are both all purpose cleaners. That will clean tree sap off no problem

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autosmart-...item1e69b0c5ee

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autosmart-...item1e69b0c5ee

[p4cks]

Wtf does that mean - are you 'on the pipe'?

PC = Porter Cable = Orbital polisher

I'd take it to a detailer to sort for you, as the more products/remedies you try increases the chances of you potentially ruining the paintwork yourself.

[Kris2012]

This was mine before:



And after a professional detail:



It was definitely worth it and way more than I could have managed. I was amazed that they got rid of them.

[dave17]

PC = Porter Cable = Orbital polisher

I'd take it to a detailer to sort for you, as the more products/remedies you try increases the chances of you potentially ruining the paintwork yourself.

Cheers, i should have been a bit clearer.