White stuff all over my car after car wash?!?

bmwexecutive · 05-25-2006, 11:05 PM

Last week when I saw a bunch of this white stuff all over my car when I went outside in the morning I thought the local bird farm came over and dropped an attack on my new car. Although I knew it wasn't bird doo because it wipped off as if it was dust. Today though I know it's from the car wash because the white stuff was gone for a week and today it came back (got my car washed yesterday).

Anyone else get a bunch of white marks all over the roof of their car the day after the car wash? Funny thing is, it's really only on the roof, although I had a few spots on the trunk and doors. Could this be soap that wasn't washed off or something? Just find it odd. Doesn't happen to my parents cars and they get their cars washed at the same place and have been for over 20 years.

The good news is it wipes off super easily, as though it was just dust. The bad news is my car looks like 20 seagulls attacked it for over an hour until I can get out there and wipe it off (only takes a couple of minutes). And from how it worked last week, the white stuff comes back after one wiping but then after the second it stays gone. So I guess I get to look forward to another wipe down of the car tomorrow.

Anyone else having this problem?

bilbarstow · 05-26-2006, 10:58 AM

Probably hard water spotting from the drops drying after the wash. Did they dry your car thoroughly ? Or if you are parked outside, could be contaminants in rain/dew water spotting your car. I hope that when you are wiping it off you are at least using microfiber cloths to take it up (still will leave tiny microscratches - you are pulling minerals across the surface of your clearcoat) - even better, use a quick-detailer spray when you wipe (e.g. Griots SpeedShine, or Meguirs QD or similar) - they have a very small amount of wax and surficants that help float the contaminants and re-shine the wax surface.

I hope this helps.

mcdec · 05-26-2006, 03:23 PM

Just like dust and wipes off easy and comes back? I would guess POLLEN from plants. It is the time of the year!

bmwexecutive · 05-26-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdec

Just like dust and wipes off easy and comes back? I would guess POLLEN from plants. It is the time of the year!

Last time I checked pollen isn't white.

05-25-2006, 11:05 PM	#1
bmwexecutive Banned 241 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	White stuff all over my car after car wash?!? Last week when I saw a bunch of this white stuff all over my car when I went outside in the morning I thought the local bird farm came over and dropped an attack on my new car. Although I knew it wasn't bird doo because it wipped off as if it was dust. Today though I know it's from the car wash because the white stuff was gone for a week and today it came back (got my car washed yesterday). Anyone else get a bunch of white marks all over the roof of their car the day after the car wash? Funny thing is, it's really only on the roof, although I had a few spots on the trunk and doors. Could this be soap that wasn't washed off or something? Just find it odd. Doesn't happen to my parents cars and they get their cars washed at the same place and have been for over 20 years. The good news is it wipes off super easily, as though it was just dust. The bad news is my car looks like 20 seagulls attacked it for over an hour until I can get out there and wipe it off (only takes a couple of minutes). And from how it worked last week, the white stuff comes back after one wiping but then after the second it stays gone. So I guess I get to look forward to another wipe down of the car tomorrow. Anyone else having this problem?
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05-26-2006, 10:58 AM	#2
bilbarstow Private 2 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2006 330i SG 6M ZPP ZSP Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Probably hard water spotting from the drops drying after the wash. Did they dry your car thoroughly ? Or if you are parked outside, could be contaminants in rain/dew water spotting your car. I hope that when you are wiping it off you are at least using microfiber cloths to take it up (still will leave tiny microscratches - you are pulling minerals across the surface of your clearcoat) - even better, use a quick-detailer spray when you wipe (e.g. Griots SpeedShine, or Meguirs QD or similar) - they have a very small amount of wax and surficants that help float the contaminants and re-shine the wax surface. I hope this helps. __________________ 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Leather * 6MT * zPP * zSP * Sirius * OEM Spoiler * Fold-down Rear Seats * Lo-Jack * Pinnacle 35 FormulaOne Tint * Blackline Tails *
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05-26-2006, 03:23 PM	#3
mcdec New Member 3 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 325xi TiAg terra Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Just like dust and wipes off easy and comes back? I would guess POLLEN from plants. It is the time of the year!
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