Not sure if I drove through something or parked under a tree, but I noticed the paint on the Z felt like it had grit on it today. Its the top section of the car, front and back. I washed it today, and got maybe 30-40% off. You can feel it and scrape it off with your fingers, you can even see it, looks almost like tiny little metallic flakes on top of the clear coat.

Its an 08 Z Roadster, so, you cannot really notice it on the soft top.

Thanks for the input!!

 

if it is tree sap just use hot water put a cup ove water in the microwave for a few seconds so its hot and use a rag and dip it and rub the sap off.

 

use liquid dawn at a fairly strong ratio (no not full)

also try a bug and tar remover, you may also have to use goo be gone, make sure you wash it off right way or it will yes WILL damage your paint if left on there.

 

Thanks guys! I will try some uber hot water and some Dawn before trying the more abrasive stuff.

 

if that fails, a claybar would do the trick.

 

Remember that Dawn will strip any wax/polish you have on your car already. Make sure you go back and protect your paint when you are done.

Claybar as mentioned above is also an excellent idea.

 

I really wish you members that don't know **** about detailing a car would quit giving advice! The only place I'd use Dawn would be inside my wheel wells. Clay will remove anything on your painted surface washing failed to.
Gary

 

On the zaino site, it actually says to use dawn to remove wax and sealants before claying and applying their sealant. It also says to put the dawn back in the kitchen and never ever use it again. Lol..

I would use a good claybar.. U might wanna post in the "Ask a Detailer" thread in the detailer section also.

 

Goo Gone

 

I would never use detergent on my painted surface, it dries out the paint. I won't even use Auto wash soap on any of my cars just cold water using the two bucket system. Removing tree sap is easy, if it doesn't wash off just use clay along with detail spray. You don't want to put GooGone on your paint if you have massive amounts of tree sap, you'll be adding to the problem when all it takes is clay....and it's so easy! My biggest fear are hard water spots, sap is easy in comparison but that's another chapter....
Gary

 

gary, I like your posts but you don't need to be offensive, I'm learning as others, now I know that even though zaino allows you to use it to strip wax its still not a good idea. I thought it might be helpful. and depending on how much sap is on there clay will have a difficult time removing it possibly. I never use dawn on my car myself, i only use car wash soap, but i'm just going by I have heard from many detailing enthusiasts.

I don't know how you can get your car clean with only water btw, do you still use a washmitt?

please don't take offence to this post gary, I truly respect your advice and if you say don't use it, I won't.

 

wait til the car is cool to the touch and the sap has hardened before trying to clay it off... otherwise you'll just smear it around!

 

Dawn doesnt damage the paint, but it will strip off any protection ie wax, sealant. Dawn does dry out the trim though. Even so, you should not be using it on a regular basis as a wash soap. Do NOT use hot water. Wait until the paint is nice and cool, and use a bug/tar/sap remover. That should do the trick. If it doesnt, use a clay bar. These 2 options arent abrasive at all and wont damage the paint (maybe the claybar depending on the abrasiveness). The claymagic/mothers/meguiars bars are fairly light. Make sure you apply wax or sealant after you're done. Thats it.

 

Danielj, sorry I hadn't intended to seem stern! I see so many opinions here on DRIVER that will eventually damage our cars like washing with detergent or the worst was using rubbing compound when debadging it's a major aggravation. I use two washmitts one top, one bottom and they each get their own water pail and I use a sponge for the wheels after a major blast with a high pressure hose. Then all the water is blown off using my leaf blower that way I have zero drips when I'm finished. LOL beats driving around the block like I did for years.
Gary

 

Thanks guys. The hot water and higher concentration of car was soap did the trick pretty well. We just bought a black 08 Z350 Roadster a few weeks ago. The previous owners could have done a much better job keeping it looking new.

I have never been big into the detailing and have no idea about the different waxes/clay bars, etc. Can you guys point me to a good straight forward thread or website for a newb? Is rather not read through 50 differing ideas and try to decide which product/technique is the best. I will take your word for it, you guys seem to know what up.

Thanks-