My temperature gauge on my radiator cap loosened, spraying the hood, fenders and windshield with 50 50 anti freeze while coming home . I got home at midnight and hosed it off. Now noticeable spots and streaks are in the high gloss black paint. Looks like hard water spots. I washed twice, and used cleaning brand turtle wax with little improvement. Anyone else have this problem and a solution rather than repainting? Thanks
Try Turtle wax rubbing compound in the green squeeze bottle. It does a great job in removing discoloration,and oxidation. These pictures show a badly oxidized finish before and after turtle wax rubbing compound. Jim Patrick
The first picture shows how the steel panel looked at first when the gloss paint was first applied. The second panel shows how it looked after 6 month outdoors in all weather. The third panel shows the oxidized panel revived to the original high gloss with rubbing compound.
PS. Take a soft damp (not wet) cotton rag like and old soft Tee shirt and put just a small dab of rubbing compound on and rub in a circular motion, applying a little pressure until it is rubbed in. The spots should come right out. But be careful. It may do such a good job that you'll have to do the entire car to match the new shine Good luck. Jim Patrick
David
Take care with any rubbing compound, you can make a mess real quick unless experienced.
Best way for simple water spots like you have is to use a clay bar. You can find these at auto parts stores or search on-line. Wet the clay bar and rub the spots gently, the clay bar will pick up the contaminants lying on the gloss painted surface. After that use a good auto paint polish and then wax.
I used a Mister Clean “Magic Eraser” to remove someone’s careless door rub paint transfer
from my clear coat white paint on my pickup with good results, but white is more forgiving than black.
Not quite the same problem as antifreeze, but it works basically the same as fine rubbing compound.
No chemicals, just fine abrasives . . .
I wouldn't expect antifreeze to damage paint. I have never seen it do that. I wonder if something else is going on.
Meguiar's Cleaner Wax will fix it easily.
Antifreeze does damage paint. Look in any new car owners manual and it will warn you against accidentally putting antifreeze in your windshield washer reservoir for this reason.
This is why I run water 8 months out of the year and only put in antifreeze when it will be sitting in storage during the winter months. All it takes is a leak or for your fan belt to slip off and you have a real mess. I've seen it happen.
Don't get it on your brass radiator either. It etches the brass.
I think there are other good reasons mot to put anti freeze in your windshield washer. Like, for instance, it won't clean the windshield worth a hoot!
I disagree with Larry - water makes the same spot on a radiator if you let it dry. Anti freeze doesn't react with brass at all.