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-   -   DIY: How to clean 'Tough' Stains from the body (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/136577-diy-how-clean-tough-stains-body.html)

Hello everyone,

For several months, I'd noticed strange build up of stains around my car and only the grooves, lettering etc. I enquired with 3M, HSR layout but it was of no use since the guy who supervises the place said ''It won't go sir!''

I found it hard to believe that it would never go! It started becoming an eye sore thanks to the white color of the car.

Eventually I discussed with my colleague who happens to be a chemical engineer. He asked me to get him a sample of the stains and he could try and get a microscopic/chemical analysis done to find out the nature of the stain.

I tried searching on the internet but couldn't zero in on the nature of the stain.

But I read somewhere that most stains on the car can be removed by using lemon!

I had to try it on and guess what happened! It worked!

Here's a glimpse on how to do it.

(I tried searching TeamBHP too but couldn't find this type of stain removing thread)

What you need:

-Lemons. Depends how big the car is. I used about 5 full lemons for my car.
-Used soft bristled toothbrush. You'll need this to reach tight corners and spots.
-A pinch of tamarind. This sort of 'lubricates' the surface.
-Soap water to wash the stickiness of lemon when it dries up.

And an entire day!

Step one:

Wet the surface of the stains with plain water. Apply the tamarind to 'lubricate' followed by the lemon by cutting it in half and just mildly spread it around the stains. After a few seconds, start brushing until the stains disappear!

Step two:

Keep applying water so that the lemon doesn't stick to the surface.

Step three:

Wash off the stains using normal water.

And voila!

A neighbor swings by to say what's up! :D

Home remedies works most of the times! clap:

I remember these kind of things done at home on silver or brass large oil lamps, where they will have lots of oil stains.

something like this..
http://www.dollsofindia.com/images/p...-on-HH76_l.jpg


Coming back to topic, what about chemical reactions on metal or paint?

Thanks 500ContyCruiser!

Yes you are right. But this being a painted surface, I wasn't sure if it would have worked at all since the surface of lamps or coins isn't painted the way a car's body is.

Oh and sorry I forgot to mention, a few days before I took up the job, I tried cleaning a small spot on the car and waited a few days to check for any chemical reactions on the paint/metal.

Oh boy, this is exactly what has been happening on my car too.

2 weeks back, I visited 3M HSR and spoke to Siddhu (3M owner) and other BPians - IronH4WK, Karthikk and motomaverick.

Reason for this problem is - Hard Water.
Solution - Avoid Frequent Car Washes.

My car washing guy washes the car almost twice in a week. As per him, he wipes the car dry everytime after the wash, but there are hard to access spots - like the letters and some of the door panels in which there are remnants of water.
These water remnants slowly turn into ugly looking marks on the car. If you scratch it, it would probably go away, but the damage to the paint is irreversible.
I am not sure how effective a lemon solution is, but what I have done is to get ride of the frequent water washes.

Siddhu promised me that he can get rid of these marks. I am yet to find a suitable time and day to visit him to get a wash and a PPF treatment done.
In addition I will also be getting micro spots on the glasses removed.

So all in all, first stop car washes. If washed ensure to get rid of even a single drop of water on the paint. Secondly, go to 3M HSR and speak to Siddhu. He will get these hard water spots removed.

This means that the mild or weak acids are doing the trick. Lemon juice is Citric acid and tamarind in water makes Tartaric acid. Idea is quite good but frequent use may not be recommendable. Congrats, I too have some locations in my car to be cleared like this.

@soumyajit: Ok just to clarify, this is not hard water stains. I'm sure of that. Hard water stain has a salty appearance and texture. We used to have that problem years ago and we had a water softener installed to get rid of the problem. I'm surprised that 3M HSR said they can remove it. When I approched them I got an answer in the negative. But do attach a photo of the stains you are talking about. My hunch is that the stains in my car were probably due to some car polish that dried up and attracted dirt.

Are you sure that rubbing a toothbrush on car paint is a good idea? No matter how soft the bristles are, they will certainly introduce (micro) scratches!!

I am very much sure it is the Hard Water.
All your pics indicate that it is hard water. Except for pic 1 of the cockroach and pic 5 of the door handle where definitely something has spilled over.

I would recommend to particularly speak to Sidhu at 3M HSR. It is definitely a reversible damage and the guys can do it.

Here are the pics of the stains on my Beat.















And one from the Bike, on the Speed and Tacho Dials.

@swarnava.m: True but that's the least abrasive method in my opinion. I tried gently scrapping using my finger nails but that wasn't doing any good. To minimize the micro scratches, it's better to wet the dirt first and wait for the dirt to loosen up a bit and only then brush it off gently using a tooth brush.

@Soumyajit9: The door handle has the lemon stains. I took the picture as and when I applied lemon.

Turpentine Oil/Thinner will loosen the stain and it could be carefully rubbed after some time. Tar spots, fly droppings also comes out by using it. Excessive oil/rubbing should be avoided to protect the paint and avoid swirl marks. Diesel can also be used in place of Thinner.

I also used thinner to remove the sticky glue which was left after removal of the sun film from the window glass.

Very useful post vishwa,
This type of stain cannot be avoided even in frequent pressure washing and of course daily cleaning (as peoples engaged cleaning persons in societies) is of no use to get rid of these stains.
5 star rating from my side.
What is this "tamarind"?

Its English for "Imli"

This is a mixture of dust and dirt and salt deposits around edges wherever water stagnates.

Meguiars APC with a soft brush is a good way to remove these deposits.

Did not realise that lemon juice + tamarind juice also works ! need to try this out too !

The classic BRASSO or the SILVO, work good too. The composition, however, is pretty mind boggling. Acids, bases, petroleum derivatives, kaolin...


http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/asse...pdf?1360078967

I have tried it for the car emblems and home items. It works like a charm, provided you use it exactly as directed.

Well I am shocked to know that 3M people said they cant remove these stains!! Such stains indeed are very common and yes I also used to have 'em on my innova , culprit sure is the hard water as it was washed daily.
I dont know whether its lack of knowledge or lack of will to try by 3M but i have removed completely such stains and even stains due to rust with 3M marine compound paste (the black container thing) and believe me its very effective, infact its my favourite , especially helpful for those thorough enfield cleanings on sundays.