Down and depressed...quicksand paint help?

It is that time of year when the Black Cottonwoods in British Columbia drop their sticky, resin filled buds everywhere. I don't have a garage, and drive in the bush every day training dogs, hiking, camping and so on. Got a bunch of the buds on my truck so thought I would do a hand wash today.

#1 depressing thing...Even when I get the resin off (a lot of work), it seems to leave a yellow stain in a bunch of places. In the clear coat maybe? I can't tell if it is raised or sunken, and I can't really take a picture of it, but when you look it from the side it doesn't look smooth. Anyone know what I am talking about? Any advice?

Photo of what the resin buds look like before cleaning ⬇️



#2 depressing thing is how many scratches and rock chips all over my truck I have already

Photo of my SAR dog finding my truck keys in my "backyard". I will admit the truck is still in its "precious" stage since it is the first new truck I have ever owned. I am bumbed about the paint thing.

 

I am sure someone will have better input but I have heard that clay bars work wonders. Not sure for this specific application though.
Beautiful dog btw!

 

I'd clay bar the entire truck and apply a good sealant to address the sap.

 

Bugs along with resin will definately etch your paint if not removed right away. The painted plastic parts like the bumpers usually are more easily damaged. Down here in Alabama we have swarms of Love Bugs ( Not to be confused with Volkswagen) that can really make a mess of your vehicle. They will etch into the paint and making it almost impossible to polish out. A good wax wiil help some if you use it before the resin gets on your paint. I have been hearing some good things about ceramic coatings but don't have any firsthand experience with them. My wife has an MGM Highlander that has been victim to etched paint so I can feel your pain, good luck.

 

Pardon my ignorance...does the clay bar remove the clear coat?

 

Negative.

 

No. It's not abrasive enough to harm your paint or clear coat, but is enough to remove any contaminants that sit on top of the finish. This includes previously applied waxes and sealants.

Just remember to reapply sealant as a last step.

 

1. Doing what you do with your truck, it's almost impossible to keep your paint pristine.
2. If you really, really care and have a grand or so lying around, go to a shop and get a good sealant.
3. If you are like me, shoot some spray wax on it every now and then so it looks good from 10 feet or 10 mph and call it a day.

The guys who have perfect paint are the guys who spend a lot of monies and never leave the pavement.
I just got back from a mtn bike ride. At the trail head my bike fell over and left a mark on the tail gate. I don't care. Next time I wash it I will take a bit of cleaner wax or compound and see how much comes out. If it's down through the paint, I will touch it up. My "10 ft 10 mph" rule lol. If it's noticable from over 10 ft or 10 mph, like a dent or big scratch, I will get it fixed.

 

More pics of dog please lol

 

....^^^... Go here for good products and they have an "advice forum" that is excellent --> Auto Geek -->

BTW ... Cool dog ...

PS ... Auto Geek saved my ass on a new dark green BMW where the guy waxing it went through the paint a the hood high spot edge.

 

I used to live just a bit south of you in WA. That stuff was a pain, but it will come off with a clay bar. After that you wax it and it will come off with some spray detailer after you wash the truck. As a bonus, your paint will look better than it did from the factory.

I had a black H3 and it looked like wet spots against the wax. I’m getting ready to use all of the same products on my black Tacoma. Just be happy your truck isn’t white.

 

I had similar happen to my quicksand Tacoma; I used meguiars ultimate compound and slowly buffed the stain out. It took some elbow grease, but you couldn’t tell afterwords. Then I did two layers of meguiars ultimate paste wax to seal the area. Never had it happen again.

 

WD40 will take off pine sap and it does not hurt the paint. You might try that for spot work on those bloom locations. It will remove any wax though, so don't forget to redo.

Nano skin autoscrub. Get one, use it right, and you'll never mess with clay again.

You may need a random orbit buffer and a series of pads and polishes if you are wanting to correct the paint.

Then you'll want to seal it, or at least wax it with a durable product. I like

$19 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845 as a wax. It lasts a good while. It was originally developed to coat porcelain insulators in substations.

 

Thanks a lot everyone! I know it can't stay pristine with the lifestyle I lead, I have just never saved up and bought anything this expensive before!! I got the quicksand truck because it was dirt coloured lol, but the matte finish is way less forgiving than I anticipated. I got the sap off no issue, but it is super weird how it seems like it "melted" into the clear coat or something, leaving a stain. You can't feel it with your finger at all. I just used (car) soap and water on the hood and on the roof I tried some goo gone and some other stuff with no luck.

Now that the damage is done, I will wait until I have some more damage and try the clay bar and a sealant.

 

Some useful advice here.

 

Hello from British Columbia!

 

That almost looks like Koocanusa area near Fernie with those big pine needles.

Your truck parked at Fernie SAR often?

 

Yes that's me! Beyond being with Fernie SAR, I work for Avalanche Canada and our South Rockies office is in there.

 

Good looking Mal!!!!

 

I'll have to keep an eye open on my truck for those sticky bastards now.
That yellow residue they leave behind is likely just some hard to remove sap. Hand sanitizer might take care of it. Hand sanitizer makes short work of sap. Make sure to wax the everliving crap out of it afterwards like Bill said above.


Edited to remove goo gone suggestion!