[WShelley]

Just washed car for first time since our snow and found these marks all over the horizontal rear metal band just below the window. The car has been babied and opti-coated. All I can think of is maybe salt from the snow BUT Dallas doesnt really spread salt they use sand and the car made 1 trip in it. It is not anywhere else on the car.

1. Ideas of what caused it and
2. Please give me ideas of what to do. I can't tell if it is ON the trim or pitted into it but not coming off with normal stuff and I'm worried about damaging it.

Thanks!

 

[RRToadHall]

looks too small to be water marks, car wash detergents etc.

 

[vaserRRS]

Looks like hard water. You need to wash with car wash detergent it will go away. I had something similar during the snow but it comes off with just soap. Try the untensils soap that is easy on hands then rinse well.

 

[Nico3687]

Looks like contamination. If it is, soap and water won't remove it. I would get a clay bar and some rubbing compound (even cheap Meguiar's Scratch X) and see if that takes it off.

 

[teekster]

I second the clay suggestion. Is that really metal? I think it is painted plastic on my ATB.

 

[WShelley]

We couldn't tell but thought it could be plastic coated with the silver. Will give it a try. Thanks

 

[WShelley]

Worked perfect. Thanks!! A couple of the polishes specifically said not to use on metal coated plastic. This did the trick.

 

[WShelley]

Spoke too soon. That's what happens when you work on the car at night in the garage. Looked great until I got out into the daylight. Next up - DUCKY Waterspot remover has been recommended.

 

[Ms. Mdx]

Good luck. There is also the possibility that you have a bad trim piece and the finish has failed. If the water remover doesn't work go back to the dealer and have them order you a new tailgate trim piece under warranty.

 

[md-dave]

I was wondering if that could be damage to the Opti-Coat. I would ask the place who did it for you to look at it and see what they think it is.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Brimill1234]

If your detailer opti coated the truck take it back to him. That looks like opti coat failure. It's rare but occasionally the coating lifts and crazes like old laquer clear.

If it is that then only machine polishing is going to remove the opticoat and will In turn remove the marking.

Also on an opti coat vehicle scratch x isn't going to do anything. The low abrasive of that product wouldn't even scratch the surface (pun intended).

 

[WShelley]

Turns out it is a defective piece. I did run through ever spot and scratch remover I could get my hands on and found the Meguiar's Scratch X to have made the biggest dent in it. Says not to use on plastic but I figured I had nothing to lose. Dealer was happy to replace the part which will be in after a week.

 

[mm21]

This is awesome to hear. I have the same thing happening on that part on my car. Will head to the dealer soon.

 

[bboatman]

Glad you figured this out, and it will be taken care of but any clue how to remove this trim piece from the tailgate? Ive searched the forum and havent been able to locate any information removal of it. I want to wrap, or replace mine with a black one and ill need to remove it.

 

[WShelley]

If you only knew the level of my inability to do anything to my car. Crowbar? I'll leave that answer to Trez or someone way more talented than me. I have seen that done in black and it looks REALLY good. Good call on that and please post a picture when you are done. If I were smart, I'd ask them to wrap it black before they install it but at this point, I'm ready to just get it on. Question...anything I can coat it with so it doesn't happen again?

 

[cgs]

That depends upon the failure of the part. XPEL is probably among the most common "best" protections from the elements that you can get, but if it fails from the base material toward the surface, "nothing" is the answer.

 

[383vett]

Glad you figured this out, and it will be taken care of but any clue how to remove this trim piece from the tailgate? Ive searched the forum and havent been able to locate any information removal of it. I want to wrap, or replace mine with a black one and ill need to remove it.

The piece is held on the same way as the letters are, with double sided sticky tape. Use a hairdryer to heat up the piece and the metal underneath. Don't get too close and melt the plastic. Feel the metal with your other hand. It should only get as hot as a body panel on a hot day. Use floss and get it between the tape and tailgate. Wear vinyl or nitrile gloves. You'll go through a few yards of tape because it will break numerous times but it will come off.