[Hekate1]

The other day I noticed what looked like a light splashing of dirty or slightly muddy water on my car’s front end. Washed it off and this is what was underneath. I took it to my favorite body shop. They tried buffing and a little wet sand with absolutely no improvement whatsoever. The guy there asked if I could have possibly gotten concrete on the car as the acidity will do this to the clear coat. As a matter of fact a local business I drive past daily had just had a new driveway installed with, you guessed it, concrete. Two days in a row they were watering it down as I drove by with water out into the road. I’m so upset as I’ve had the car for only about 6 weeks. Body guy also recommended vinegar and water solution but it’s too late. So from now on I’ll be avoiding any fresh concrete pours or rinsing it off immediately if I think I might have gotten something on it. It’s also on the matte hood wrap.
Sorry the pics r sideways. This was an otherwise pristine shadow grey metallic. These are raised spots as opposed to depressions.
You may have to zoom in to see them

[bobby35ny]

Could that be sap?
-Bobby

[crosive]

you could perhaps take it to the dealer and have them look at it due to paint defects. you may know what caused it, but you may not, or could be wrong.

if I'm right, all new cars (atleast in US) have a 3 year paint defect warranty, or more.

[Hekate1]

Originally Posted by crosive

you could perhaps take it to the dealer and have them look at it due to paint defects. you may know what caused it, but you may not, or could be wrong.

if I'm right, all new cars (atleast in US) have a 3 year paint defect warranty, or more.

I just assumed there’d b no way warranty would cover that. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks.

[WhiteMale]

Clay bar? But then you said it had been wet sanded w/o improvement...

[BluePhoenix]

Definitely looks like it’s in the clear coat. I’d take it to the dealer and hopefully you can get it fixed under warranty. I wouldn’t go into the story of the concrete unless you absolutely have to otherwise I’m sure they won’t cover it.

[DaveC113]

Yeah, take it to the dealer and play dumb, lol... Good Luck!

[Glen e]

No amt of Detailing is going to solve this.CLEARCOAT PAINT IS MISSING… You can see that by the pitting… This will require an entire repaint. And I doubt any dealer is going to warranty this , they will claim it’s environmental damage.

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by Glen e

No amt of Detailing is going to solve this.CLEARCOAT PAINT IS MISSING… You can see that by the pitting… This will require an entire repaint. And I doubt any dealer is going to warranty this , they will claim it’s environmental damage.

I agree. It looks like the clear coat has been eaten away (by something). It is definitely not sap. The damage doesn't look correct and it would be very strange for sap to appear in that pattern. I think a respray is the only option to fix it 100%.

[Hekate1]

Originally Posted by WhiteMale

Clay bar? But then you said it had been wet sanded w/o improvement...

Oh yes. I clay bar’d, they clay bar’d. No change.

[Hekate1]

Originally Posted by zaimer

I agree. It looks like the clear coat has been eaten away (by something). It is definitely not sap. The damage doesn't look correct and it would be very strange for sap to appear in that pattern. I think a respray is the only option to fix it 100%.

Originally Posted by Glen e

No amt of Detailing is going to solve this.CLEARCOAT PAINT IS MISSING… You can see that by the pitting… This will require an entire repaint. And I doubt any dealer is going to warranty this , they will claim it’s environmental damage.

That’s what the body shop said. Most likely only fix is a repaint. No way it’s sap, either. I keep it garaged, never park under tress, etc.

It’s hard to tell from my pic because I had to get up close to show the detail but it’s literally sprayed over the front end and drivers side quarter panel. I’m really not going to go to the dealership and try to claim this. Just gonna learn to live with it. My luck I’ll pay for a repaint and then hit a deer the next week. I’m just going to enjoy my car.

Thank you all for ur replies.

[Scottyz]

Dealing with concrete for a living I bet what is on your paint is called white cure. We spray it on concrete to give it a white finish. We get it on out work trucks all the time. I wish I could tell you what removes it.

[He11bent]

Originally Posted by Glen e

No amt of Detailing is going to solve this.CLEARCOAT PAINT IS MISSING… You can see that by the pitting… This will require an entire repaint. And I doubt any dealer is going to warranty this , they will claim it’s environmental damage.

really?!? at 6 weeks old? well, I see your glass is half empty...


OP, if i bought a car and six weeks later the clear coat looked like this with no other damage I'd raise hell at the dealership. Something IS wrong with their factory paint!



I've painted plenty of cars with base coat/clear coat and have yet to see a clear coat that fails by driving through a puddle of dirty water (regardless of the pH levels)! Unless the puddle was enamel reducer, they need to fix this under warranty and inspect the entire car and document it. It probably won't be the last paint issue you have. Be firm but fair.