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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To Ban DH from Ever Owning a White Car Again?

14 replies

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 16:58

We bought a new 6 month old car a couple of months ago. It's white. It's a freaking nightmare to keep clean, but worse than that...

First, the dealership put something- can't remember what it's called but is seemingly commonly used by dealerships on tyres to make them look glossy- that gathered up the dirt and splattered itself all over the car on the drive home. I had to spend 2 hours with DH cleaning it all off.

The we got up this morning to discover that someone had smeared a tar like substance over the bonnet. It won't wash off. DH is pretty sure we're going to have to get it resprayed. I don't know if it was kids- but where would they get some sticky tar like substance? Or an adult? DH normally parks in the drive but I got home first yesterday and stole it. DH parked in a parking bay opposite the one I usually use so has he royally pissed someone off by using that one? It certainly looks malicious- it looked like someone had taken a pen to the bonnet and scribbled in circles, but it's not pen. It was a very dark brown/black and the top layer had hardened over, a bit crusty in places. Now having tried to wash it off it's light brown and oily looking.

Aargh! My car is black so the danage wouldn't have been so noticeable. I want to tell DH NO MORE WHITE CARS! EVER!

OP posts:

lljkk · 10/08/2013 17:20

Have you tried swarfega on it, yet? Or other solvents, like white spirit? I would get a garage's advice before that, though.

I honestly think my black car is worse. Every spec of dirt shows.

WMittens · 10/08/2013 17:30

Could it be tree sap?

I doubt you'd need a respray (and you won't want one when you get the quote). If you don't feel up to looking after the paintwork properly while you clean it, get in touch with a car detailer, they should be able to sort it out.

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 17:31

Tried WD40 and white spirits on two small test spots. Neither budged it at all. I only want to try small bits as it's a big mess on the bonnet and don't want to cause any damage! DH will sort an appointment with a garage on Monday.

Really cross with whoever did it!

OP posts:

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 17:32

WMittens, thought about tree sap but don't know where it would have come from. Someone would have had to have a pot of tree sap that they then poured over the bonnet and smeared in!

OP posts:

CongoBongoIsland · 10/08/2013 17:35

I'm not sure the colour matters, if somebody takes offence to somebody owning what they perceive to be a flash car, they'll be able to vandalise it one way or the other. It sucks but personally I wouldn't get an expensive car for exactly this reason.

Seabright · 10/08/2013 17:37

If you think it's deliberate, you need to report it to the police - it's criminal damage. You might need a crime number for your insurance claim too

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 17:41

Seabright, DH phoned the police to report it. I know they won't be able to do anything but we wanted to have a record of it. It's definitely deliberate. It's not a small patch, it's a very large area of the bonnet and all smeared in circles (I.e. not like splatters). I just don't know if it's been kids or an adult and what the heck they used!

OP posts:

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 17:43

Oh, and it's a Ford Focus so I don't think it's a very flash car!

OP posts:

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 17:49

Have managed to take a photo of part of it which shows a bit of the "scribbles" and uploaded it to my profile. It runs from the bit I photographed right across the bonnet.

OP posts:

WMittens · 10/08/2013 18:09

How do I view your profile? The usernames don't come up as clickable links and I can't find a page to search members.

Original poster

Taz1212 · 10/08/2013 18:15

Oops, I had my photo public put my profile set to still editing! I've made my profile public now so you should be able to click on my name and see it? I think?

OP posts:

WMittens · 10/08/2013 18:18

Don't worry, I've found it. I can't really see anything from that photo, it's too small and I can't an option on MN to view a full size photo.

If you say it's tar-like, try an insect and tar remover - Meguiars, Turtlewax, Muc-Off and loads of others have something in their range.

Beaverfeaver · 10/08/2013 18:32

Agree with mittens. There are some very good and strong tar removing products on the market.
They are designed not to strip your paint like other household stuff will.

On hot days, tar from the road can get into your car and this is the only thing that works for me.

If its really stick on there, you could try 'claying' it using a specialist car clay bar (Meguiars does a good one).

You warm the clay in your hand, wet the area of car and rub it over the area gently and it will take off any contaminants.

It will also take off any protection wax, so you will need to remember to wax after.

We do this once a year to the cars as all sorts of industrial fallout, road grime and tree sap can stick to your car and not come out with normal washing.

You can tell if it needs doing if you rub your hand over your cleaned car, and it still feels gritty to the touch.

Claying it will make it as smooth as the day it was born

canyou · 10/08/2013 19:32

try back to basics and take car to a car wash, the type which you drive the car into and it has the giant brushes , DP was a spray painter panel beater and that is what he advises tar will eventually come off this way but it may take a few washes.

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