dirt behind flares?

I removed my flares and gave the truck a wash today.
What's the best way to remove the embedded dirt that's behind the flares?

My truck is super white if that has any bearing on the situation.

 

Got most of it off with a clay bar.
Used some glaze and then wax.
Looks much better.
Now I just have to do the entire truck

 

Sorry no one chimed in on time. I was gonna say let some foamed soap suds soak in. Maybe ironX, Then a well lubed clay bar, then polish. Im glad you got it done, that can be some tough crap under the flares, I hate flares for that reason. Before you clay your whole car look into an iron decontamination spray, you'll be amazed, then clay. Then wash again and polish. Then wire down the whole truck with an IPA solution and apply your last step protection, whatever you choose for that. I'd recommend an SiO2 sealant like reload or hydro2, but I hear good things about mother cmx and megs ceramic wax too

 

After washing, I'd put some ScratchX on a microfiber applicator pad and go to town. The light abrasive load will act as a paint cleaner.

 

Thanks for the tips.

There is still stuff in the paint at the bottom of the truck where the flares were and on the rocker panels.
I also had to remove the "line" that was left behind when I removed the flares. For that I used AllClean+ diluted 20:1 and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (it also removed the fingernail scratches behind both door handles).
I did a test on the R/F fender because I have a new one (already pained) to put on, current fender has a big dent in it.

I bought some Adams iron remover and Adams ultra fine clay bar and detail spray (I was using a medium clay bar from Chemical Guys and it kept falling apart). Stuff should be here this week. I'll do the final step of waxing/polishing after my new fender and bumper are installed

Here is a picture of my bedside. The front of the bed is very smooth now using the clay bar, glaze and then wax. I removed the plastic at the top of the bed because when I was washing the truck, black stuff was coming from that area. I still need to remove the line.

 

I work at a dealership and I'd ask the "detail" guys to help me but most if not all of them are really good at introducing swirls into the paint.
I pulled the flares off at work and one of them said I should run it through the car wash to remove the dirt. No thanks.

I washed the truck (foam gun) using the two bucket method with a dirt trap in both buckets. I was surprised how much dirt the "dirty" bucket had in it.

 

I'll be installing Bushwacker flares when I'm done. Didn't want to install them over dirty fenders.

 

Tried the ScratchX just now. Did little to nothing.

 

Do you have a DA polisher? The Griots 6" is a great little machine when paired with a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads.

That might be what it takes to get your paint clean.

 

Might wanna look into putting some 3m PPF under the new flares to protect your paint from further damage

 

I don't. I was looking at that one or the Torq from Chemical Guys.

 

I also ordered medium and heavy clay from Amazon.

 

I would still get dirty. I'd like to put some good wax on the whole truck, install the flares and if I ever need to get back there the flares are easier to remove than factory and the dirt should be easily removable.

 

This one?
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/griots+garage+random+orbital.do?sortby=ourPicks

Can I also use it to remove light scratches from the roof and hood? The scratches don't go through the paint but you can catch a fingernail on some of them.

 

That's pretty much the benchmark of a scratch that can't be removed by a buffer/polisher.

 

What's the fix, touch-up paint?

 

Could be, might be possible to level it down with wet sanding. Maybe try the Dr. Colorchip kit, that might be the easiest DIY fix.

 

I bought some "Clean Slate" surface cleanser wash from Chemical Guys. I can remove all the wax and glaze that I put on it while removing the embedded dirt. I don't know what other waxes might be on the truck.

I also have some paint chips that I need to address (getting touch-up paint tomorrow).

The Clean Slate wash and the medium and heavy clay bars should be here tomorrow. The Adams light clay w/detail spray and iron remover arrived today.

I'm going to wash the truck on Thursday and try the iron remover, then the clay bar. Then I can touchup the paint chips and go from there.
Is this a good plan of action?

 

Yep that's the one. You'll want a 5" backing plate (don't use the 6" that comes with the polisher). Then use 5.5" pads. The Griots Boss pads are great.

It'll for sure clean up swirls and light scratches. But as mentioned, if you can feel a scratch with a fingernail, it's too deep to remove. Don't attempt it, as you'll blow through the clear coat. You simply aim for improvement.

I don't chase scratches. I knock out the swirls, and just accept a little improvement on deeper scratches.

 

I don't think my truck has any swirls, probably because it's never been washed
I'll know when I wash it on Thursday and give it a good once over. I'll be taking notes.