Need some help....Lexus ES300 Paint

**pfcperry17** · 09-01-2010, 02:28 PM

My mom got a `96 ES300 about 4 years ago. Has accumulated tree sap and other cr*p over the years. The sap is sometimes (if we can`t get the time) left on the car for quite a bit of time. It`s gotten pretty bad and now there is little tiny white spots all over the hood, roof and parts of the driver side. I use Turtle Wax ICE Wash soap, Clay Bar Kit & Mother`s Paste Carnauba Wax.

The clay seems to take of surface contaminants VERY well. The car is smooth as glass after that. But the spots are still laughing at me.....

Any idea what I can do to get rid of them? We don`t want to pay someone to do it (unless we have to) and we don`t want to waste money buying more stuff to try. I regret leaving the sap too long but with my schedule during the day I can`t get it. If it can help "diagnose" the treatment, I can take a picture tonight and post it or maybe someone has a picture of it. The car is black with silver along the bottom.

**Gus-Gus** · 09-01-2010, 02:37 PM

sounds like paint etching to me.. it may not be able to be cleaned off...

take some pictures of it and post them.. where abouts do you live anyhow?

**pfcperry17** · 09-01-2010, 02:53 PM

Sadly, I live in south sacramento. Gandland, drug dealer haven, etc.

What`s paint etching

**Gus-Gus** · 09-01-2010, 03:43 PM

**Beemerboy** · 09-01-2010, 03:49 PM

Can you feel these spots with your finger nail?

**pfcperry17** · 09-01-2010, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

Can you feel these spots with your finger nail?

No, the finish in smooth as glass. Tried that too, but couldn`t feel anything. I just read about the Turtle Wax "Black Box". Any good?

**pfcperry17** · 09-01-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gus-Gus

That`s not quite what ours looks like. Are are VERY small. Like the tip of a pen and they`re mayonnaise white.

**Beemerboy** · 09-01-2010, 08:03 PM

Take some rubbing alcohol and water mixed 50/50 and wipe and area to see if that lifts the spots

What I am thinking is there is product in the tiny holes and that`s what you are seeing

If it comes out that means the surface is etched and either needs a rotary ir wet sanding and rotary

**sacdetailing** · 09-01-2010, 08:41 PM

Just polish em out

**tuscarora dave** · 09-01-2010, 11:57 PM

Either way you are going to have to spend money to fix this issue. If you don`t have time to deal with getting the sap off you might be best off paying a "good" detailer to correct the problem and then just put a good coat of wax on it once a month. If you buy the tools to do the work yourself be careful that the gang bangers don`t take them from you. They like shiny cars don`t they?