SteveG

This photo is another poster in the Concours thread. I have what appears to be an indentical stain, mine is on the driver fender. It has that same rainbow effect and appears to have breached the clear coat. I used P21S cleaner; there was some improvement, but it is still visible. FWIW, others say it appears to be oil; car may have been parked under another car, could be oil. Weird as it seems to have penetrated the clear coat.

Also the attendant at the garage apparently tried to wipe it off and left tiny swirl/scratch marks.

I haven't tried clay bar, any recommendation? Will rubbing compound (gently applied) damage the clear coat?

I believe the paint color is the same as well, slate grey metallic.

safulop

You have to be careful whose rubbing compound you use and what it says. Meguiar's makes one that is "safe for clearcoat" but most are not. While a standard rubbing compound will not strip clearcoat that easily, it will make it hazy with fine scratches that will require a different compound to remove.

It does look like oil, but the permanent staining is unexpected.

Jim M.

Start with the least aggressive product first and work your way up to more aggressive methods. For me it would be clay. If the clay removes even a little just keep at it. If it doesn't touch it then on to swirl remover which is actually a very fine polish. Same advise if it works even a little don't go more aggressive, just continue. Lastly rubbing compound, but a very fine grade. You could also try a little denatured alcohol or bug and tar remover on a rag or cue tip or the tip of your finger wrapped in a rag.

finally!

Ive used this with excellent results, very mild but amazing in my exp at how well it works.

Ultimate Compound
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17216

S4ordie

Take it to the best detailer in the area. Let them work on it first. Might be a few $$$ but they will have better first hand experience and knowledge about these sorts of things.

I wasted about $100 worth of products trying to remove a similar stain. The detailer got it out in an afternoon and did the rest of the paint for $300. Nary a trace. I parked under a bridge escarpment so my car would not get rained on. water dripped from the structure onto my car. Lots of nasty stuff. I was convinced the car was ruined.

blown 87

What Dan said, my bet is that it is a rust stain mixed with something else.

Andy Kay

You might try calling Griot's Garage @ 800 345 5789 press 2 to speak to a specialist.

They may suggest Polishing #3 or #2. Three being finer than two. If you go w/ Griots, buy some paint clay and a small bottle of Speed Shine. You'll be shocked and amazed. Best products I've ever used.

P.S. I'm a Concours Guy

SteveG

Thanks for the replies; this thread is more active than the Concours, but one can see that from the participant number.

I don't want to turn this into a bitch thread; for discussion purposes, . . . I would never have thought the car would be stored stacked, which seems to make sense in retrospect, the color, etc. It was at a hotel garage in Harrisburg for 6 days. They have a policy of "Garage assumes no responsibility" If it appeared expensive, I would have at least lodged a complaint for possible future legal action. As it is, I did not. It was valet only access, so I thought, I cannot choose the space, etc, But, no one else can get in there and mess with it, probably better than a municipal garage or airport. I did give the attendant a decent tip going in and said, "put it in a good spot" Well . . . . this is what I got.

You can't have anything nice.