Watermarks?

Oreo5000

Oreo5000

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Hi Guys,
I haven't had my S3 for long (picked it up used, it's a 2008) and I've just noticed that at a certain angle the paintwork is absolutely covered in what appear to be watermarks.
I have tried to photograph them, you could just about make some of them out here, but they are all over the white paint.
wm.jpg

I have tried a bunch of products including quik clay but nothing seems to be shifting them.
Any advice on getting rid of these would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Nick
 
Looks like tree sap marks to me, but if you have washed-clay'd-polished & waxed it should be gone.
The next thing really is to use a machine polisher/DA on it.
Then you would have to start over ie wash-clay-machine etc etc

That's what I'd be trying

Pat
 
I tried that after my post Pat. Used my ebay buffer but no joy :(
I think im going to need something a bit stronger!
Is there anything I can use that will strip all contaminants (but save my paint!)

Cheers,
Nick
 
could try claying the affected area with a more aggresive clay as im guessing you used megs quick clay? which is fairly mild
autosmart tardis (dont let this anywhere near your clay as it will break it down)
or some IPA diluted if this done work then afraid itll more than likely need polishing with a rotary and various compounds to shift it

it doesnt look like on the pic but you can get simular marks from a bad repair where filler was used and not primed correctly leaving was known as contour maps but like i said this doesnt look the case on yours
Dar
 
Last edited:
drmole said:
could try claying the affected area with a more aggresive clay as im guessing you used megs quick clay? which is fairly mild
autosmart tardis (dont let this anywhere near your clay as it will break it down)
or some IPA diluted if this done work then afraid itll more than likely need polishing with a rotary and various compounds to shift it

it doesnt look like on the pic but you can get simular marks from a bad repair where filler was used and not primed correctly leaving was known as contour maps but like i said this doesnt look the case on yours
Dar
Click to expand...

I'm also thinking the next step would be compounding & then working through the stages but if that doesn't work then I would wet'n'dry.
I hope you can sort this out with out visiting a bodyshop!

Where are you based?

Pat
 
Thanks guys, appreciate the responses.
Here is another image, perhaps a little clearer than the last as I have managed to land focus on the actual spots/marks.
Like I said, these are ALL over the paintwork, on the bonnet, the roof.. all panels basically. You can only see them at a certain angle but they are very noticeable when you do!
S3WM2.jpg


Yes Dar I did use the Megs quick clay, can you recco an alternative?

Ill order some Autosmart Tardis now.

Am I right in thinking I just spray this on, rub in, leave for a while and then wash off? and then proceed to clay, wax etc?

Pat can you explain compounding mate? I am also based just outside of Hell (Hull)

Thanks for your help guys
 
I'm down in Devon, would have liked to see this in person.
But never mind, ok on to compounding, I personally use poorboys products which start off like this :-

SSR3 (heavy)
SSR2.5 (medium)
SSR2 (I skip this one)
SSR1 (light)
EX-P (sealant)

I've never had any problems using these products & they have sorted out some real problems I've had.
I've only wet'n'dry twice to which the problems was bad!

Pat
 
Thanks Pat, So you think I should try the Tardis and then move on to your method?
What do you use to apply those with?

Cheers,
Nick
 
mate you dont really want to be using an ebay special buffer on any car never mind an S3 mate. if we had the car in we could take readings etc on the paint to see what can be worked with but id go

Menz PO106fa first to see what that would do and if it wouldnt shift then id go stronger on it such as 85RD 3.02 and that will get rid of it, you will be surprised at if you use the right product and correct technique then you will get the paint looking spit and span and better than showroom. if you havent used a rotary before then dont use it on the car as there is a good chance of burning through which will require paint. try and get a proffesional or atleast someone who is competent with a rotary mate.

yours is a similar problem i had on a black B7 A4, the owner found marks that he couldnt get rid of but i was able to remove.
 
Thanks twiggy, I dont use that buffer at all, I just tried it on a small area to see if that would shift the marks.

Where can I buy those products mate? and how should I apply them?
I did a search for Menz PO106fa but no joy

Cheers,
Nick
 
I've got a MEG's G220 DA which is all I need really.

As for taking it somewhere that's really up to you.
You could take it to a detailer & see what they say.....

Pat
 
Yeah I'm just thinking if I'm looking at £200 for a DA and then further products that Ill only use once to fix this problem...

Is that Autosmart Tardis safe to use on both paintwork and glass?
 
Oreo5000 said:
Yeah I'm just thinking if I'm looking at £200 for a DA and then further products that Ill only use once to fix this problem...

Is that Autosmart Tardis safe to use on both paintwork and glass?
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure with the Tardis.

But as for buying all the detailing gear, I would & I have.
It's really up to you, I wash my car every weekend & detail as & when. Basically I love having a car, shiny car lol

Pat
 
Yeah, I'm the same to be honest Pat, just wondering what to do about this particular problem that's all.

What's your process (inc products) for wash, polish, wax etc?

Cheers
 
I just detailed the outside of my S3 a few weeks ago & this is what I done

1. Snow foam then pressure wash
2. Tardis lower half of car & rinse
3. Two bucket wash (lambs wool mit)
4. Clay hole car
5. Clean wheels
6. Two bucket wash & dry car
7. DA hole car from SSR3 to sealant
8. Autoglym HD wax 3 coats

I would have removed the wheels & cleaned, clay'd & waxed but as I've just put new on there was no point.

As you can see I have OCD when it comes to my car lol

Pat
 
audi upgrades
Thanks Pat
How do you apply the snow foam?

Any recommendations for clay?

Just out of curiosity why do you use all 3 compounds, if you start with the hard one isnt that the best you can do?

Do you use any products to 'touch up' in between this big process?

Cheers
 
I've already ordered some mate, just 500ml, so i'll give it a go and if that doesnt do anything I'll pick up a DA.
What would you recommend as the cheapest DA/rotary?
 
theres loads of choice mate comes down to choice n budget i wouldnt get a rotary untill u get confident with a DA as you cause serious problems/damage with a rotary without the proper training, you can do the same with DA but its alot less aggressive just take ur time and listen to the machine if it sounds like its struggling ur prob applying to much presure so back off a bit and work the compound in but dont over work it hope tha makes sense lol
sorry about the tardis but hey it wont go waste in ur detailing arsnel lol :thumbsup:
 
drmole said:
theres loads of choice mate comes down to choice n budget i wouldnt get a rotary untill u get confident with a DA as you cause serious problems/damage with a rotary without the proper training, you can do the same with DA but its alot less aggressive just take ur time and listen to the machine if it sounds like its struggling ur prob applying to much presure so back off a bit and work the compound in but dont over work it hope tha makes sense lol
sorry about the tardis but hey it wont go waste in ur detailing arsnel lol :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That's why I've stayed with the DA as the rotary is hardcore.
So as said if you're going to buy a machine buy a DA & leave the rotary polishing to the pro's!

Pat
 
audi upgrades
Best DA for £50-£100?

Do you guys also use the DA for wax? or just hand apply and microfibre off?
 
strange thing DA's are more exspensive maybe because they are safer to use thus in demand more
this is a good one tho CleanYourCar DAS-6 Polishing Machine - Clean Your Car
also keep eye in the personal sales section on here and on detailing world one always pops up and u may have few extras with it ill check
DW for you and let u know
DAR
 
drmole said:
cheers Pat
the DA is like origional golf GTi it ***** its rear wheel to let you know ur on the limit - so a warning
rotary is like a TVR little too much throttle and ur having supper with the grim reeper - no warning
Click to expand...

I'm liking the way you put that!
Very true tho, that's way I've stayed well away!

Pat
 
Hope I'm not crossing any boundaries on Audi sport by putting this link but you can save yourself some extra pennies here

Kestrel DAS6 Dual Action Polisher | Dual Action Polishers | Polishing Machines | Juicy Detailing

The photos look alot like marring from previous claying so if you've clayed again on top it will not remove the affected area, therefore the only way to remove these marks are by machine polishing. The DA is a forgiving tool and if your into keeping your car clean then it's an ideal step to take. You can apply pre-wax cleanser, glazes, polishes, liquid waxes and sealants and in fact obtain a better overall finish as it lays down an even layer of the product that you can potentially achieve by hand.

Even as a pro there will always be a time and a place that I use my da over the rotary. It is quite likely that you should not need a polish that is too aggressive and I'd suggest doing the polishing in a well lit environment as white is a pita to work with.
 
Juicy Jen said:
Hope I'm not crossing any boundaries on Audi sport by putting this link but you can save yourself some extra pennies here

Kestrel DAS6 Dual Action Polisher | Dual Action Polishers | Polishing Machines | Juicy Detailing

The photos look alot like marring from previous claying so if you've clayed again on top it will not remove the affected area, therefore the only way to remove these marks are by machine polishing. The DA is a forgiving tool and if your into keeping your car clean then it's an ideal step to take. You can apply pre-wax cleanser, glazes, polishes, liquid waxes and sealants and in fact obtain a better overall finish as it lays down an even layer of the product that you can potentially achieve by hand.

Even as a pro there will always be a time and a place that I use my da over the rotary. It is quite likely that you should not need a polish that is too aggressive and I'd suggest doing the polishing in a well lit environment as white is a pita to work with.
Click to expand...
didn't know you were on here too jen welcome if i haven't already said it i say welcome to so many people can't keep track lol
 
Juicy Jen said:
Hope I'm not crossing any boundaries on Audi sport by putting this link but you can save yourself some extra pennies here

Kestrel DAS6 Dual Action Polisher | Dual Action Polishers | Polishing Machines | Juicy Detailing

The photos look alot like marring from previous claying so if you've clayed again on top it will not remove the affected area, therefore the only way to remove these marks are by machine polishing. The DA is a forgiving tool and if your into keeping your car clean then it's an ideal step to take. You can apply pre-wax cleanser, glazes, polishes, liquid waxes and sealants and in fact obtain a better overall finish as it lays down an even layer of the product that you can potentially achieve by hand.

Even as a pro there will always be a time and a place that I use my da over the rotary. It is quite likely that you should not need a polish that is too aggressive and I'd suggest doing the polishing in a well lit environment as white is a pita to work with.
Click to expand...

great advice Jen but the link doesnt work my end tryed few times now:uhm:
 
Thanks Jen,
I'll get that DA ordered!
What product would you recommend to tackle this if it is what you think?
Cheers,
Nick
 
Will the Juicy Detailing Machine Polisher Kit 2 going to be everything I need Jen or should I order the DA on it's own and then some specific pads and products?
Any advice much appreciated!
Cheers,
Nick
 
Thanks Dar,
This might be a stupid question, but can you use the DA on your glass? My windscreen suffers from swirl marks a plenty!
 
I bought kit 3 from juicy back in September. Service was awesome, within 2 days I had a massive box turn up on the doorstep. Cant just stop at the polishing kit though, I also bought bucket and grit guard, clay and lube, shampoo, wax, ipa, and some super shiny oil dressin, and left the computer nearly £300 lighter. Now I've got another list ready to order. It's definitely addictive but worth every penny.
 
drmole said:
great advice Jen but the link doesnt work my end tryed few times now:uhm:
Click to expand...

Works my end bud....

Oreo5000 said:
Thanks Jen,
I'll get that DA ordered!
What product would you recommend to tackle this if it is what you think?
Cheers,
Nick
Click to expand...

thanks for the emails Nick we'll get you sorted :)
 
Just had a huge email conversation with Jen. best pre-sales service I've ever had. I've hit the bank account hard and ordered a whole bunch of products, I'll report back when I put them to use!
 
hi guys you say the da sort of lets you know when you are nearing the limit what exactly do you mean, i know its easier on the paint?sorry if i am bein a numb nut
 
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