Weird spots on hood

[jdtp]

I bought this car last week and just noticed these weird spots on the hood. I contacted the dealer and they have no idea. The great Google says it's anything from pain blemishes to water trapped from detailing. I'm looking for some help on what exactly it is and if it's something I can fix at home or if I need to find a shop to handle it.

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[GreaseMonkey]

What have you tried so far to remedy? Do you feel anything if you run your hand over them? They look superficial to me.

 

[jdtp]

What have you tried so far to remedy? Do you feel anything if you run your hand over them? They look superficial to me.

Tried hand washing it and it disappears while wet but comes back as soon as it dries.
It's smooth to the touch.

 

[ddeluce]

I'd try applying a correcting cream on it so see if it buffs off. It almost looks like some dried on ceramic spray wax. Do the entire hood and be sure to apply a wax afterward.

 

[jdtp]

What have you tried so far to remedy? Do you feel anything if you run your hand over them? They look superficial to me.

Just got home and checked it. The spots are smother than the actual paint and will start to sort of buff out when I rub it hard with my fingers but comes right back when wiped with a towel.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Just got home and checked it. The spots are smother than the actual paint and will start to sort of buff out when I rub it hard with my fingers but comes right back when wiped with a towel.

I would recommend taking it to a good detailer and having them diagnose and give you a quote. I'd also go back to the dealer if I were you and see if they would reimburse (ideally) or repair it themselves.

 

[jdtp]

I'd try applying a correcting cream on it so see if it buffs off. It almost looks like some dried on ceramic spray wax. Do the entire hood and be sure to apply a wax afterward.

Not trying to bombard you with further questions but...
Would Meguiar's Ultimate Compound be a good one to use?
Would you recommend a wax or ceramic coating?

I would recommend taking it to a good detailer and having them diagnose and give you a quote. I'd also go back to the dealer if I were you and see if they would reimburse (ideally) or repair it themselves.

I just emailed the dealership and am awaiting their response.

 

[SignMD]

My Audi's had lots of these blemishes that occurred during shipping when the protective film comes loose and flaps in the wind. Kind of acts like sandpaper in the clear coat. Ironic the film they used to protect causes issues. They actually pay their detailers to get rid of these, I highly suggest you ask your dealer and do not do it yourself. You will likely make it worse. I wasn't a fan of ceramic coating but I will get that every new vehicle now which includes paint correction that will resolve these and the ceramic coating really makes it easy to keep the car clean. I use the bead maker spray every month and it's like a brand new car coding is going on 3 years old.

 

[AliRafiee]

I would wash it well and use a clay bar first.

 

[Tomm]

This should be a dealer problem if it is a new car

 

[AliRafiee]

This should be a dealer problem if it is a new car

It could be tree sap. Dealer won’t warranty that. OP’s profile says 2021

 

[jdtp]

It could be tree sap. Dealer won’t warranty that. OP’s profile says 2021

I'm leaning towards it being a mistake from when they detailed it last week right before I took delivery. I plan on going to the dealership this weekend for a separate reason but I might try the clay bar that seems like the least intrusive way to possibly solve the problem.

 

[ddeluce]

Not trying to bombard you with further questions but...
Would Meguiar's Ultimate Compound be a good one to use?
Would you recommend a wax or ceramic coating?


I just emailed the dealership and am awaiting their response.

Haven't used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, but they generally make good products. I use Griot's Garage Correction Cream with a yellow foam application pad either by hand or with my buffing machine if I'm doing a large area. I would wash the area first, go over it with a clay bar and lubricant, then apply the correction cream. I use Griot's Ceramic 2 in 1 wax on my Mach-E. Its a daily driver that is out in the weather and the ceramic lasts longer. It doesn't have the shine of a carnauba wax, but this car is not going to car shows I don't use ceramic on my Mustang GT/CS, I use carnauba based wax. It gives a deep shine that looks great. This car is not driven regularly, and is garaged, so the wax lasts for a year. If it was outside, uncovered, it would last 3-6 months.

 

[AliRafiee]

I'm leaning towards it being a mistake from when they detailed it last week right before I took delivery. I plan on going to the dealership this weekend for a separate reason but I might try the clay bar that seems like the least intrusive way to possibly solve the problem.

I wouldn’t want a dealer to detail my car. They will half-ass it and probably screw it up.

If the clay bar doesn’t get it out, the next step is polish.
I use this polisher and a good polish.
https://a.co/d/gp4LkgF

It’s cheap, but works great for my once every 3 years detailing.

Use the white pad and make sure the entire pad has polish on it before it touches the paint. Put it on the paint before turing it on. Otherwise you will have polish all over you and the wall. ?

If you use a rubbing compound, make sure you follow up with polish to bring out the shine.

 

[ATL]

Tried hand washing it and it disappears while wet but comes back as soon as it dries.
It's smooth to the touch.

This often means it's abrasion at the clearcoat level. Therefore it should be able to be removed with the appropriate lightly abrasive compound and/or polish. What will have to be used depends on the degree of damage. It's impossible to assess in pictures, I believe. If you elect to diy, start with polish and if that doesn't do it, get more aggressive. While you're at it, polish at least the whole panel.

Once corrected, I'd always finish off with ceramic or, on a front-facing surface, a PPF topped with ceramic to make washing easier.

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