Arghh... What's This All Over My Car?!

[jagillham]

Had the car in for an overdue full clean / polish today.

Guys have done a decent enough job, except told me they could not remove these black dots.

They go up the driver side from the headlight, over the bonnet, up windscreen and a few on the roof?!

Any idea on what the hell it might be, or how to remove?

[Jan79]

For me it looks like tree resin.
If it can't be removed with commercial items, well how about a light abrasive polish?

[jagillham]

For me it looks like tree resin.
If it can't be removed with commercial items, well how about a light abrasive polish?

Yes that would make sense. I could not work out why there was no 'splash' to the drops, and why on one side. There is a few small trees by the end of the rows of the work carpark... seems to be the likely cause given it's only on one side too.

Not sure what this lot tried for removal, what would you start with?

[BeefMasta]

I'd try tar remover.

[Jan79]

Tar Remover or special resin remover are a good start. Don't know if cleaning clay might help.
As a last resort I once used paint thinner but with this you have to be very careful,
use only small amounts, wash the car immediately afterwards and make sure not to touch any plastic parts
and of course wax it after washing because the thinner will remove everything.

[jagillham]

Left Halfords almost £70 lighter :o

Tar/Sap remover did nothing. Clay bar wasn't doing anything either. Ended up using the clay bar lubricant and the microfibre to basically scrub it off.

Bonnet done... bumper, wheel arch, windscreen & roof to do!

[billy smith]

looks a bit like cherry poop yes i said cherry poop starlings are the worst for excreting it but it should wash off ensure you get it damp to wet 1st as could have grains in it resulting swirls

[WTF]

£70 spent AND still non the wiser to knowing what it was!

As Billy said, looks like a fruity poop. We used to have a Rowan Tree on out front lawn and the Starlings LOVED it. Always pooing it out on the cars. My Dad want to tie the cat to a long stick so he could prod it into the tree to scare the birds off -_- We didn't let him.

[jagillham]

Don't think it's anything like that. The spots are about 5mm each, and absolutely no splash 'impact'. Car must have been still, and whatever it is dropped straight down from above.

[Dangerousfish]

Don't think it's anything like that. The spots are about 5mm each, and absolutely no splash 'impact'. Car must have been still, and whatever it is dropped straight down from above.

You paid £70 to get the car cleaned and left with marks all over it? I'd be more worried about that than finding the source of the marks

As others have said, tar remover should help lift those off.

[BenS]

You paid £70 to get the car cleaned and left with marks all over it? I'd be more worried about that than finding the source of the marks

As others have said, tar remover should help lift those off.

I think they spent £70 on products to clean it off themselves, not to get someone to clean it for them.

[jagillham]

Yeh £70 on products. I had nothing, not even a clean bucket!

Now got bucket, microfibres, wax, shampoo & clay cars etc

[Dangerousfish]

Yeh £70 on products. I had nothing, not even a clean bucket!

Now got bucket, microfibres, wax, shampoo & clay cars etc

I see!! Thought you had a "professional detail" done.

Ah well, at least you have some mucky spots to practice on

[Chris_Blue]

nothing for it other than a resporay am afraid :cool:
;-)