Cleaning "stuff" off car

MX5huggy

Collinite 476 wax is considered a very good value product once applied it lasts and lasts it may not give the ultimate shine of something like AG HD but it protects better. Don't confuse polish with wax, polish removes a microscopic amount of the top surface and dirt. Wax adds a layer of protection.

You could try a clay bar to remove the contamination, my prefered product is Meguiars quick clay kit.

londonTiger

i would ask for another parking spot if i were you

Iceweasel

Definitely a different parking space is needed.

Seeing as how you have 'attacked' the paintwork with the green side of a kitchen sponge then there will be damage to be repaired - hopefully by polishing.

As already said polishing and waxing are two totally different processes.

If you feel that Autoglym products are 'extremely expensive' then don't even look at some of the other makes of detailing kit on the market - many of which involve hard work (elbow grease) if you don't have a machine buffer - which also needs skill and experience - so don't go down that road.

I would use Autoglym Super Resin Polish to remove the white marks and as much as possible remove/mask/fill the scratches.

That should give a great finish which could last for 3 to 6 months - but I'd be putting a layer of protection on top.

Not wax - as most of the 'cheaper' ones just wash off when you shampoo the car over a period of only a few weeks - but a much more techy product - such as Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection.

Both of those AG products are easy to apply and buff up to a great finish which should last up to a year especially if you also use Autoglym Shampoo and Conditioner.

You should be able to get all 3 of those from the likes of Halfords who frequently have a 3 for 2 offer.

londonTiger

everyone ssuming that "wax" will protct the pain in future. WIuthout a clue what this stuff is, If it's acidic it will eat away any wax product.

mark5

londonTiger wrote: »

everyone ssuming that "wax" will protct the pain in future. WIuthout a clue what this stuff is, If it's acidic it will eat away any wax product.

I think a few have recommended putting a plastic sheet or car cover over the car when left there.

londonTiger

mark5 wrote: »

I think a few have recommended putting a plastic sheet or car cover over the car when left there.

Well if you recommended a plastic sheet then it wont apply.

I think OP should ask LL to give them a different parking space as it's damaging their vehicle. Assuming there is another spot they can take. Or they must pay for any damages - unfortunately this is often a bad strategy against landlords as they can hike your rent up after your contract ends to remove you.

I've seen this white powdery stuff elsewhere before. I have it on my squire shed combination barrell lock which presumably is meant to be rust proof. And one of a bike lock. I think it may be from "rust proof" metal such as galvanised steel perhaps it's from some of the protective coating off the metal that comes off from water ingress.

LadyDee

Would a steam cleaner work perhaps? If the vinegar/lemon juice softens the stuff a handheld steam cleaner might remove it without using anything scratchy.

DD265

There are no other spaces available so I'm going to get a waterproof cover and stop whining about losing some minutes in bed. I am keeping on at the landlord to have the management company look at the beam regardless though.

Lemon juice got rid of the residue so at the weekend I'll tackle with the Autoglym Shampoo/Conditioner, Super Resin Polish and Extra Gloss Protection. I am assuming it'll be several hours of a job so can't get it done during the week.

patman99

A ladder and some Hammerite (or similar metal paint) to paint the girder above the parking spot would solve the issue.