Getting Rid of Water Marks

[Strum]

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but on the roof of my car there is what appears to be water marks. I've used clay, rubbing compound, polishing compound, and polishing wax, nothing seems to work.

The area I've worked is now smooth and has little drag, but yet it still has these marks on it and does not have a shine one would expect after the use of all the different products.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle this? Any suggested products?

The car is a 1993 Camry that has been sitting for three years (two outside, one inside). The car is not faded and the paint is not oxidized.

[CamrySExxx]

must be doing something wrong. How bad is it ? The polish should do the job..
Are you using an orbiter ?

[Strum]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

must be doing something wrong. How bad is it ? The polish should do the job..
Are you using an orbiter ?

Yes, good ole elbow grease and also used an orbiter. I've polished and waxed cars over the years and never have run into anything like this.

I can get a shine, but it just doesn't have the finish it should have. It's really strange that the roof is like that, yet the hood and trunk are fine. If I can get some pics that really capture the problem, I will post them.

[Jeddak]

Wonder if bird poop etched the clear coat....

[Strum]

Originally Posted by Jeddak

Wonder if bird poop etched the clear coat....

No, don't think so unless the bird had scatter gun capability - I guess that would give new meaning to birdshot.

I can't figure out what it could be and I am at a loss for the moment to figure out how to remove it.

[mikered30]

Vinegar and water

[Strum]

Whoever moved this - thanks.

I glanced through the forums and didn't see detailing (a lot of forums).

Normally I am in 3/4 gen Camry or 7 gen Corollas and I'm not familiar with the others.

Vinegar and water, I'll give it a try.

[Strum]

Vinegar and water didn't work. I cannot figure out what his is and why only on the roof.

Here is the best I could come up with in the way of pics.

[Strum]

A little background on the car (if you don't frequent 3rd/4th Gen). Just over three years ago we had a fire at the house that started in the garage (and mostly contained to the garage). Inside the garage was the Camry and our Highlander. The Highlander was repaired, the Camry was totaled by the insurance company. I purchased it back for $250 and for the most part it only had smoke damage in the interior.

As you can see, there was soot and ashes covered the car and since the windows were open, the interior took a hit. The cause of the marks on the roof may be a result of the soot, but why the hood and trunk weren't effected is a bit odd. The car was washed about a day or two after the fire (couldn't touch it until teh adjuster looked at it).

The car the day of the fire



Here is the car about an hour ago

[TrailDust]

Personally, I think the paint is permanently damaged. Different circumstances that involve alkaline or acidic compounds on the paint can cause that kind of damage. In fact, several years ago I owned an Acura Integra that was in pristine condition. We had some local wildfires and there was lots of ash and dust in the air. I hadn't been able to wash my car and the dust was pretty thick on it. Then it happened. We had a sudden thunderstorm come through our area as I was inside a store and it rained just enough to form beads of water on the paint. The beads concentrated the acid in the ash and dust, and then the sun came out and dried the water drops. End result was the acid ate small pits all over the hood, roof, upper door panels, etc. The damage in your pictures isn't identical to what I experienced, but it's pretty damn close. Just a possibility.

[Strum]

TrailDust, unfortunately I think you might be right. I don't recall exactly when the adjuster came out to look at the car, but even if it was the next day, the morning dew would most likely have the same effect. It's still odd that the hood and trunk didn't have the same damage.

I've been working real hard on a small section (maybe a little more than one square foot) and although I haven't achieved perfect results, they have been somewhat better. I'll probably just work on the rest of the car (mechanical and cosmetic) and sort of chip away at the top over a period of time.

Hey, for $250 it's not going to be perfect. I'm one of those anal people that go nuts over flaws in my work and it's something that will drive me crazy.

[TrailDust]

Acid damage is common in coastal California for people who regularly leave their cars out all night, which is why I've always made sure I can garage my babies. Pollution, dirt, morning dew, and sunshine will kill a good paint job.

Best of luck on your effort, Strum, to improve the finish on your car...hope it works out well for you!