etching questions...

hcuniff

New member
So I have an audi avant (wagon) and I recently noticed that there is a silhouette in the shape of a circle behind the antenna and on my roof - it looks as though some sap settled and then fell off, leaving only an outline. I didn't think much of it the last time that I saw it and so I continued on cleaning/waxing......but it has been bugging me ever since. I recently looked at it again and ran my finger over it.. I can feel it now and it seems (although I could be wrong) that it is raised. Could this be a wax buildup from my last wash?

I am planning on washing my car tomorrow and bought some products in the hopes of correcting it. I have a few options and was wondering how to approach it. **note that I will be doing all this work by hand and not with a buffer****

I bought meguiars scratch x 2.0, the meguiars clear coat safe rubbing compound and polish (the two separate tins) as well as the meguiars ultimate compound. How best do I approach it? Do i work my way up the aggressiveness ladder or is it even worth my time to try? Thanks for all your help autopia!!!
 
So I have an audi avant (wagon) and I recently noticed that there is a silhouette in the shape of a circle behind the antenna and on my roof - it looks as though some sap settled and then fell off, leaving only an outline. I didn't think much of it the last time that I saw it and so I continued on cleaning/waxing......but it has been bugging me ever since. I recently looked at it again and ran my finger over it.. I can feel it now and it seems (although I could be wrong) that it is raised. Could this be a wax buildup from my last wash?

I am planning on washing my car tomorrow and bought some products in the hopes of correcting it. I have a few options and was wondering how to approach it. **note that I will be doing all this work by hand and not with a buffer****

I bought meguiars scratch x 2.0, the meguiars clear coat safe rubbing compound and polish (the two separate tins) as well as the meguiars ultimate compound. How best do I approach it? Do i work my way up the aggressiveness ladder or is it even worth my time to try? Thanks for all your help autopia!!!


You should clay the whole car, but that area should clean up pretty good. Then I would use a paint cleaner or mild polish to take off anything that remains
 
If it feels raised, there may be a thin layer of something attached. If it is sap, a little rubbing alcohol should take care of it. Just be patient and let the chemical do the work, do not scrub. After that I would clay. Definitely start with the least aggressive. I'm not familiar enough with the tins you have, but the Ultimate compound should be relatively safe by hand. If that doesn't take care of it I would recommend stopping and seeking help from someone with more experience.
 
You have good products. As you said, work your way up the ladder starting with Ultimate Polish or ScratchX, your choice.
 
thanks for all your responses guys! unfortunately, I don't have a clay kit on me and am going to try and get this worked on before the stores open and it gets too hot tomorrow. I'm going to try by cleaning and then working up the aggressiveness ladder. Fingers crossed! i'll let you know if I have any kind of result and if anyone thinks that this is silly to attempt without a clay bar please don't hesitate to let me know. I might be able to do it some time next week instead. Thanks again autopia!
 
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