Hi, I am a owner of a new JCW 2dr. which is only 3+ months new and 1500
miles.

I have had problems with both bird feces and water stains getting into the
clearcoat on my black metallic top.

In each instance I tried to remove the stains as soon as possible but without using anything abrasive, I had no luck.

I am meeting with the local dealer and regional service representative
in a few days and I wonder if any of the members have had similar problems with the paint on the black top?

I also wonder if anyone can suggest a not too difficult way of getting this stuff off without having to re-paint? I have no problem going to a body shop, someone who has a wheel or buffer and knows what he is going.

Sure would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks,
Ballyrick

 

You should be able to rub the spot out with a good polish, then put a couple coats of wax on your car, that'll keep it from spotting again.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave,

The problem is I have multiple water spots (more than 20) on the black top and I already had at least two or three coats of wax on it to begin with.

I used a polishing cleaner (Malm) nothing abrasive and had no luck.
I only tried by hand rubbing. Kind of gun shy about even trying a "polishing compound," so I may let the dealer`s detail guy or the body shop they suggest
take a shot at it.

I am also concerned about future contamination getting on the top.
The car is so new, I keep it under a carport. I can imagine how many more times this is going to occur unless I find a product to prevent acid and chemicals getting into the clearcoat.

Someone suggested using a marine wax instead of an auto wax.

Ballyrick

 

You could lock your car in a garage....but that defeats the purpose...
On a more serious note, try using a clay bar with the included lube...it will pull the contaminants out that cause the water spots (hard water). Most likely will work for the bird guano. then re-wax.
You will learn to live with the less than perfect spots sometime (the first door ding or maybe the first rock chip can be a bit liberating IMO). It is nice to keep a show-room new look as long as possible....unless you have a unhealthy case of OCD and lots of time...it will not last for long!!

 

White vinegar will remove water spots, if they aren't under a wax job, and it won't hurt the paint.

Dave

 

Thank you Dave; Thank you Zippy,

So I guess I have a couple of options.
Leave the car in the garage until there is no rain and no birds in sight.

Repaint the car with clear coat every month until as Zippy states,
it gets its first ding.

Or use white vinegar. Dave can I apply the vinegar liberally across most of the top because the spots are numerous and spread out?

On a lighter note, is it okay to mix the vinegar with vodka, the taste is awful by itself? ;o)

Ballyrick

 

On a serious note as i stated above, try a clay bar. Tyey are sold in the auto detailing section...will remove surface contamantes, and leave you with a good surface to rewax..done properly it is much more gentle than pouring vinigar on your car....kinda like a superstrong acid rain bath.....the old pouring coke on a wishshield/etc is similar advise....still an acid...but folks try it cause it saves them a trip to the store...
The clay bar is what a pro would use....much more gentil than a cleaner wax....many folks do it before waxing a car to remove tiny bits of stuff a wash does not remove, to 100% prevent tiny scratches from waxing.....

 

I also am in the same boat as you with the paint, taught it was just my car....

 

Bird presents make a mess out of any automotive car. Worse on a black roof because the sun will assist in "baking" it into the top of the finish.

Always clean it as soon as possible.

Always try to clean it off, and NOT rub it off and into the paint. A bug & tar remover will most likely lift off the opposing bird dirt and use a multi-layer / folder towel and gently remove. Let the cleaner do the work, not the rubbing.

Use clay bar or cleaner polish/wax to clear up the surface.

Then wax, wax, wax!

If your notice a consistent issue with bird related issues, I recommend trying a new wax.

 

As some of us veteran MINI owners know the paint is not the best quality.It will chip,ding and scratch when you least expect it.Just do an all over clay job and a good wax and it should help it somewhat.If your unable to do it yourself find a reliable detail shop to do it for you.It will be worth every penny.

 

To each his own, but I have not found vinegar to improve the taste if vodka.

 

When I ordered my new MINI cabrio yesterday one of the new options is paint and interior coverage. For $500 it covers paint damage (acid rain, bird droppings, etc) and interior (rips, tears, spills, etc.) for 7 years. Small price to pay if sap gets on the car.
Thought it might help for anyone thinking of ordering.

 

Cloud10

Thanks for sharing.

Ballyrick