After the initial enthusiasm, I didn't wash my new Cooper for about 5 weeks. I now find the black roof of my pure silver car has marks on it – rather like water marks. I washed the roof twice with Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner (the second time, scrubbing pretty hard) but to no avail.
I was undecided what to do next and so decided to go ahead and polish it – hoping that the marks were where the polish had been eroded. I used Autoglym Super Resin Polish – again polishing hard. This has made no difference (except perhaps that the marks are now sealed in).
The paintwork feels completely smooth, so there is no noticeable debris stuck to the paint. The silver paint appears perfect.
How do I fix this? I’m looking for the easiest way – I’m a bit nervous about using clay (?) or anything too severe on a new car.
I know I’ve been lazy but I’m disappointed this has happened on such new paintwork.
It sounds like it might be the residue from birds doppings or some form of pollution. I had a similar problem although it was on dark silver paint work. The JCW body shop buffed the surface and removed the stain, absolutely no trace. It is worth getting advise from a body shop altough a very mild paint renovator might remove it.
I would seek a proffessional opinion first before carrying out any more renovation work. Remember todays water based paint finishes are not very resilent.
I'd try a clay bar. Besides it might be something you want to do to the whole car so it's not going to be a loss.
I recently did my car and I really like the improvement.
Sounds like you may have acid rain. Downwind from any industry?
The marks are not caused by bird droppings or tree sap or any obvious pollutant. They are just where dust and general dirt had gathered. The dirt did seem to have formed patches rather than being evenly spread. I assumed this was due to the previously polished surface.
It could be acid rain though I live in a semi-rural area, but I guess there will be industry somewhere not too far away.
I may seek advice from the dealer before I do anything else. I'll look into the clay bar suggestion - I have no experience of it; perhaps it sounds more drastic than it really is.
I live in a soft water area in the north of England so don't think that hard water has caused the problem.
It is possible that when I have jet washed it quickly in the past that I have not dried it. I don't recall washing in sunshine anyway, but given the soft water I'd be surprised if this is the problem.
Those marks on your roof do sound very much like water marks. To get rid of them get some meguairs body scrub, zymol hd cleanse or Swissol Paint cleaner (meguiars is £6.99, zymol and swissol are both around the £20 mark). Follow the instructions on the bottle and then apply some good quality wax.
If you used a jet washer at a petrol station etc they use a very strong detergant to clean of all the road grime, brake dust etc. The down side of this is that it also strips the wax/polish of your cars paintwork. This will then cause water marks in your paintwork, you'll more than likely find they are all over the car, just not as visible as they are on the black though.
Look into it. It does sound worse than it is. Not hard to use and you can always ask for tips here.
It will leave your car with a glass smooth surface. Provides an excellent base for your wax. But be warned, once you use one you'll be hooked.
Try the Clay Bar Method. This really works!! Can be bought in most auto stores. It's like magic on those 'pollutants' , tree sap, bird 'sap', and others.
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How do I remove marks from my black roof? 
