Brand new finish ruined by spray on sun tan lotion

So, yea... I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so I put it here..

Anyrate, this is the GF's 4 week old Dark Gray Metallic Acura TSX. It's had 2 weeks since a polish, 2 layers of JS 109, and a layer of SV Smgard.

We went snowboarding this weekend, and she started using the window of her car as a mirror to apply Coppertone spray on suntan lotion. I yelled, but it was too late.

I didn't notice it at the time, and din't think it would be that bad. I had heard about this stuff being bad for a finish but really had no idea.

I was washing the car tonight and saw what looked like overspray or maybe like dried on ash.

While washing I tried SV Paint rubber... didn't even put a dent in it. It does come off with a heavy fingernail on the window.

Anyway, some pics... And it really isn't as bad as the pics, the flash really makes them pop.





I'm gonna attack it this weekend. Not sure my method yet. I think I'll try:
1) Adams Gray Clay
2) 3m Adhesive/wax removal solvent
3) PO85rd.
4) It better be gone by then.

Just sucks I have to rip off a 2 week old detail...

Take away? Never use spray suntan lotion around a car!

 

I'm lost for words.

 

damn, that sucks..im sorry to hear that...i hope she makes it up to you

 

Me too... I was kinda hoping the SV, and JS would have protected it, but it sat out in the sun at 8500' elevation baking in all day.

Teh GF was pretty upset too.

 

Talk about a DOOZIE! Have you girflriend polish it out!

 

Wow!

I'm sorry for the bad news. However, thank you for posting the information - I use that spray on sunscreen all the time when I autocross. I'll be really careful to stay the heck away from my car, or anyone else's car, when putting that stuff on.

 

Oh man, sorry to hear that. I think you earned the right to milk this one. I'd say, she has to buy you some Crystal Rock.

 

Damn, that sucks man. I would definitely try some chemical/paint cleaner.

 

Agreed. I had a ford ranger come in last year with both the interior and exterior covered in suntan lotion. It all ended up coming off though. Warm-Hot water and CWG took off the majority of it on the exterior and letting green clean dwell on the interior made quick work of it.

 

Sorry to here... Good luck. I hope your plan works...:thumb:

 

eeeek! i would go with the 3m adhesive remover first you might get lucky and just strip your sealent. Pls keep us updated.

 

There ya go! It's appreciated and taken care of better when the vehicle owner finds out first-hand what kind of time and effort goes into a detail.

Cash customers pay for their sins, the family/friend, S.O. comped jobs can really make you grit your teeth when you see the car later. My GF took her black SUV on a dirt road after a soaking rain the NEXT DAY after a 2-day grueling detail. :yikes: I suggested if she wanted the crud cleaned off without scratching the crap out of the mirror-like finish she gather up my tools and I'd show her how to do it right. She was amazed at how much time and work was involved when she had to do it herself. I also pointed out how much top-shelf products cost as she was using 'em. Now she goes around puddles instead of driving through them with a clean ride. Sometimes. :shrug:

TL

 

Or at least have her polish the old knob

 

Oh my!

 

Holy Cow......please tell us if you find anything that works.....i have a client with an infinity trick that has a stain on his back bumper from that stuf and he wants me to try and get it off....

 

Use a di-limonene (citus based) solvent P21S Total Auto Wash

 

You are a foul human being. :waiting:

 

woah... on the bright side, if that stuff is sun screen you get some extra UV protection :doh:

I hope you can find an easy solution! It looks like you have a good plan so far.

 

Hoi that is an odd one, can't say I've ever heard of such a thing...I too am curious how things work out, I hope you find something that does remove it.

 

Update:

So, I hit it with the 3M wax and adhesive remover. Rubbing on the window REALLY hard with a costco MF, the stuff came off.

My second option was the Adams Gray clay bar. That took it off of the window no problem. On the paint, it took most off it off. It made it nice and smooth, so I knew I was almost home free. So, since I used the Gray clay (pretty heavy duty), I follwed up with some Menz PO85rd on a LC CCS White pad with the flex. BOOYA!

That was the ticket. Much easier than I had anticpated. Still have to re-seal/wax, but that's ok, I can handle that.

w00t.