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Message
What is going on with my vehicle paint?
Posted on 7/23/26 at 7:48 am
Posted on 7/23/26 at 7:48 am
This vehicle is a 2023 so I wouldn't think the factory paint would have anything wrong with it yet. Whenever it rains, or just over the course of a normal couple weeks of driving, the car will get dirty like any other car will. However, in my case it looks like I've driven through the Mojave and it doesn't simply wash off. Below are some current pics for a recent example. [As an aside- it's been calling for rain every day this week which is why I haven't gone to the trouble to actually wash it properly]. This morning I was tired of it looking like shite so I rinsed it off with the hose before i left the house. By the time I got to work, it looked like this again. These pictures are the "after", but the "before" is identical. It's like a disappearing ink magic trick. I'll wash it off and to the naked eye it looks like the dirt has been removed, then as soon as things dry up it looks exactly like it did before. If I give it an actual proper washing either at home or through a car wash, this doesn't happen and it looks perfectly fine.
I assume the ultimate fix is going to be to just get it nice and waxed to create a better barrier, but my question is WHY/WHAT in the world is going on to cause this? In all my life, I haven't seen a single other vehicle either mine, a spouse/gf, friends, family, etc...ever act in this way. To reiterate- the pictures below are AFTER it was hosed down and driven to work. Also this only happens on the sides and rear; it doesn't ever happen on the hood or front.
I assume the ultimate fix is going to be to just get it nice and waxed to create a better barrier, but my question is WHY/WHAT in the world is going on to cause this? In all my life, I haven't seen a single other vehicle either mine, a spouse/gf, friends, family, etc...ever act in this way. To reiterate- the pictures below are AFTER it was hosed down and driven to work. Also this only happens on the sides and rear; it doesn't ever happen on the hood or front.
This post was edited on 7/23/26 at 7:50 am
8
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:02 am to WG_Dawg
Vehicle detailing is a rabbit hole so deep. The correct answer is hand wash, clay bar, wax, and seal but that is pretty labor intensive.
A quick fix would be to hand wash and while the car is wet spray with some type of spray wax or sealant and then towel dry. This will slow it from getting as dirty between washes. Stop spraying it with the hose if you arent washing, you are just going to create water spots.
A quick fix would be to hand wash and while the car is wet spray with some type of spray wax or sealant and then towel dry. This will slow it from getting as dirty between washes. Stop spraying it with the hose if you arent washing, you are just going to create water spots.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:11 am to WG_Dawg
water spots in the summer months are a real thing. When I hand wash my truck I use a chamois to remove any residual moisture once it's clean----especially on the windows since they will spot up in no time once the water dries.
Especially if in N.O. with out hard water..
Especially if in N.O. with out hard water..
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:24 am to WG_Dawg
Looks like hard water and you need to use Meguiars spray on wax after you wash the vehicle and its still wet. It has helped my paint look great for weeks at a time. You may have to do this a couple of times a year but it really makes a huge difference.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:26 am to WG_Dawg
Saharan dust….
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:27 am to ChuckUFarley
quote:
Looks like hard water and you need to use Meguiars spray on wax after you wash the vehicle and its still wet. It has helped my paint look great for weeks at a time. You may have to do this a couple of times a year but it really makes a huge difference.
when you say still wet, is that after I wash it with soap then hose it back down but there's still beaded water everywhere...then spray it on? Does that mean I'm NOT supposed to towel dry it after?
eta: as for hard water should I be concerned about that?
This post was edited on 7/23/26 at 8:28 am
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:36 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
when you say still wet, is that after I wash it with soap then hose it back down but there's still beaded water everywhere...then spray it on? Does that mean I'm NOT supposed to towel dry it after?
eta: as for hard water should I be concerned about that?
Yes after you wash and do the final rinse but before towel drying, spray the car down with the product and towel dry. Invest in a nice large microfiber or some type of drying towel.
Hard water is only a problem if you leave it on to dry.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:41 am to ChuckUFarley
quote:
Looks like hard water
That could also be concrete dust that has dried on the finish. Either way, same process as removing hard water spots. It's going to at least take some clay bar work.
If you want to see if rubbing compound would remove it, put some toothpaste on a paper towel and rub it with that. (yes, toothpaste is a very mild abrasive very similar to rubbing compound)
Simple waxing is only going to be a bandaid to make it "disappear" until the wax wears off. You're going to need to compound the vehicle.
Being a black car, it's probably not something for a first time DIY job.
You're better off bringing it to a detail shop and forking over $600+.
This post was edited on 7/23/26 at 8:53 am
Posted on 7/23/26 at 8:42 am to BDPops85
Posted on 7/23/26 at 10:10 am to WG_Dawg
Water spots. Take a small bit of white vinegar, spray it on, let it dwell for a moment, then wipe/rinse it off. If it removes it, then it is definitely water spots.
You can do a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle to do the rest of the car. Do this in the shade in the early morning or late evening so you don't risk more water drying on the paint.
Afterwards, use a spray on wax when you wash the car. I like Sonax personally.
You can do a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle to do the rest of the car. Do this in the shade in the early morning or late evening so you don't risk more water drying on the paint.
Afterwards, use a spray on wax when you wash the car. I like Sonax personally.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 10:23 am to boxcarbarney
Thank you. Any ideas why this is happening to only this vehicle? Before I bought it I had another black car, still at this same house with the same water hose, that wouldn't ever have these issues.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 11:06 am to CatfishJohn
That will work.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 11:07 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
Thank you. Any ideas why this is happening to only this vehicle? Before I bought it I had another black car, still at this same house with the same water hose, that wouldn't ever have these issues.
Couldn't say. Could be the paint is holding onto the water instead of allowing it to roll off. Or its just been so hot the water is evaporating before it can roll off the paint.
Posted on 7/23/26 at 11:12 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
Thank you. Any ideas why this is happening to only this vehicle?
Clearcoat hardness varies among manufacturers.
Mercedes clear is harder than most making it more difficult to detail.
Honda and Toyota tend to have softer clear that is easier to buff, but also easier to scratch.
Here's an amateur spreadsheet showing clear hardness by manufacturer:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsfNDrr6ei-h02vacKkvcV_Ij0_CzZyKWfHLlAIf0BU/edit?pli=1&pli=1&gid=0#gid=0
Posted on 7/23/26 at 7:35 pm to Shexter
Maxl ONE
Posted on 7/23/26 at 7:42 pm to WG_Dawg
Def an issue w ur clear coat.
Posted on 7/24/26 at 6:29 am to redfish99
factory paint sucks
Posted on 7/25/26 at 5:47 am to WG_Dawg
looks like water spots to me,, wash with any auto soap or use dawn dish soap, dawn will remove a lot of crap, then you gonna have to clay the whole car maybe even twice, I also clay my windshield also. then its all elbow grease, unless you have a hand held buffer using the correct pads, a mild cutting compound I have been using 3m compounds forever, then a good sealent or wax
Posted on 7/25/26 at 6:17 am to WG_Dawg
No expert but many new vehicles need a clay bar session as rail dust is a real issue. Hot metal dust from the transport process embeds in fresh paint. One of the main companies (might be mcguires) makes a synthetic bar that is an easy sponge with a rubberized texture you can use with the lube spray. I’d do that before any further waxes
Posted on 7/25/26 at 7:02 am to RaginCajunz
thanks all, I've googled some beginner clay bar instructions so I think I'll go that route then do a spray on wax after and hopefully shoudl be good to go. Trying to avoid taking it to a professional if not absolutely necessary.
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