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Road dirt that won't come off?

21K views 33 replies 16 participants last post by  info2x  
#1 ·
Hey gang,

I took PSU SKY on a road trip from Minnesota back to Pennsylvania for the Penn State Homecoming game. (Our Penn State Minnesota Alumni Chapter won first prize for the various chapters by the way!).

I was so lucky (sarcasm) to drive half of the trip in a rain/icy rain/snowy conditions. It almost brought me to tears since the car had only seen rain twice before, yet alone the snowy conditions. It handled the wet stuff well though.

The problem is that along the way, I picked up a lot of road dirt. I've washed the car twice now and I still can't get the "road dirt" off the bottom of the car, especially near the rear wheels. At this point I've been just using my typical car soap because I dont want to ruin the finish by trying to use a wax or something else if its not the right thing. Please take a look at the photo and let me know your suggestions.

I'm putting the car away this week for winter ... if I can't get it clean this week yet, will it hurt to wait until the spring? (The car stays in a conditioned garage with a cover on).

Thanks guys (and ladies),

Brian



 
#2 ·
i use the Meguiar stuff and haven't run into anything that it won't take off with some elbow grease.
now assuming that stuff isn't etched into the pain it will come off, worst case try getting a clay bar, that will pull it off i promise, just remember to rewax it when you are done.

if you don't already have some, get some detailing spray microfiber towels goo-gone and a clay bar and leave it in your trunk, just in case.

someone did tell me that the clay bar will damage your clear coat, im not sure if that's true of not so :dunno:

and last but not least i wouldn't leave my car sitting with dirt on it, it would drive me crazy let alone all winter.
 
#3 ·
I've cleaned my Sky with nothing but Zymol since the day I got it, and I love it. other than that, I use Meguiars quick detailer. And if you wash it and get some hard water spots, use a weak vinegar and water solution to get rid of them, but be sure to re-wax afterwards . I've had my Sky showroom new for over 3 years now and I alway put it away clean and covered for the winter, and don't forget to use a good cleaner and fabric guard for the top, I use 303. :D
 
#5 ·
Ohio (and others) are now spraying the road with a calcium chloride substance for snow/ice control that leaves a nasty residue. Could that be what you're seeing? I have to clay my car in the spring to get it off (windows included).

I will say that road grime will "blast" a finish (and plastic trim) so the flaps are decidedly a good idea.
 
#8 ·
Ohio (and others) are now spraying the road with a calcium chloride substance
Yes, a very good chance that's what is on the car. I was afraid to put too much elbow grease into the cleaning in fear of pushing the dirt (or whatever it is) into the paint. I suppose I'll try the clay bar.
 
#11 ·
I went the clear bra solution last year on the rockers and on the rear wheel flares. I am on my second winter and still holding up good. Here is a thread I did about a year ago with pictures: http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/f5/rock-chip-prevention-28644/

Another good option is the spray on clear bra. You will see postings by Rob on my thread discussing the process he had done with a link as well.:thumbs:
 
#13 ·
Regarding the 3M clear bra...on light colored cars, it is goes virtually unnoticed..with darker colors there is a faint outline.

To do my entire car, meaning...bumper cover, hood, rocker panels, lights and mirror frame...money well spent. 800 US Dollars.

Of course, I have replaced my bumper cover at least 4 times...250 dollars a clip...but also well spent (not). Have to stop bumping into things that don't move. :lol:
 
#15 ·
:agree: I gotta agree with MidnightBlues. I have a midnight blue and have the same white dusty look that you have on your car. The paint has virtually been sandblasted off. It only took one winter to get the paint scratched off on mine. I was very dissapointed in the paint quality after that. I can't remember if it happened before or after I put my splashguards on.
 
#16 ·
Ouch, I have a midnight blue too and the previous owner did a terrible job at keeping the finish up.
So far I have clay barred the car, then compoun dpolished it and after that used Zymol. Finally I am putting on a nice coat of wax. I'm lucky in that I don't have to drive the car when the roads have sand and salt on them so hopefully I'll be able to avoid these problems. I'll just keep an eye on those areas and maybe each time I wash the car, I'll put a coat of wax on those areas.
 
#17 ·
The rear wheel-well flares are rock catching magnets. That is why I had the clear bra installed there and I also have it on my Wife's Sky. Neither car has sustained any noticeable damage and I drive mine all winter long through a LOT of gravel. Colorado loves to gravel the roads in winter.
 
#18 ·
:thumbs: Good idea. I bought the bulk roll of 3M film and did mine as soon as I bought it. My 1981 'Vette sustained the same 'sand blasted look' type damage on the rear flares which are similar to the Sky's. I learned a lesson so I protected the Sky. The plastic has taken enough of a beating now to replace it, but I still have enough film left to do it again. If my recollection is right I paid less than 40 bucks for the film.
 
#20 ·
FYI, the RK ground effects side body panels are like mud flaps of sorts and cover some of the area in front of the rear tire Saturn Body Kits | Ground Effects (link is to CarID a site sponsor and where I got one replacement ground effects, and they are ON SALE now for a reasonable price. Might be something to consider. Good info on the paint problem areas, mine is getting custom repainted this week so I'll have to bone up on keeping the paint all nice!
 
#23 ·
I'm not sayin' to do this, but I have heard of people adding this coverage and then a few months later reporting their cracked windshield. INS co usually won't inspect car when adding coverage. Not that I recommend this but it has happened. would work if you are putting up for winter...
 
#30 ·
Please avert your eyes on the following picture, if you have a sensitive stomach. :lol:

I took this photo when I got home today. Real mess in Ft. Collins right now. The goo stuck to my car is an insidious mixture of snow, ice, magnesium chloride and my favorite: gravel. But this photo should give everyone a really good idea of the debris path that hits our rear flares. And I do have mud flaps, but enough kicks past the front wheel flap anyway to hit the rear flares, just not as much. The good thing is that in combination with the clear bra, nothing ever really hits the paint. Here is a link to my thread I posted last year on this subject, and there are some good suggestions from other forum members as well: http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/f5/rock-chip-prevention-28644/

Image
 
#32 ·
Man, you need like an old grand am or something to drive in the winter! :eek:
:lol::lol: No way, I consider myself an official "GM Consumer Grade Test Driver". We are going to find out just how good the hydro formed frame and body really are. GM proclaimed that this new technology would be much more rust resistant and durable than conventional stamping technology. Well, we are going to find out. :lol::lol:

Besides, I didn't purchase the Sky as a second car, or weekend toy, or whatever. This is my primary, and only now, vehicle and it is also my office. This car must be a workhorse. I already have 20,000 miles on it. And besides, if I get bored out on the road in the winter, jut shut off the nanny and start spinning some cookies. :thumbs: