i had what looked like to be mud on my front bumper and headlights. i washed my car tonight and the headlights are crystal clean but a shadow of where the mud or whatever substance it was is still in every spot where it was originally. i cant get it off. i think it ruined the paint. any ideas on how to get it off? the residue was on there for days before i got it off, i know i know i shoudlnt have left it there.

 

I would try some of the swirl removers or cleaners that are safe for clear coat, followed by some wax. Possibly try clay bar and wax. I use meguiar's products. Good luck.

 

Try some plastic polish like 3M or Meguiars to remove the residue. Another thing you can try is Klasse All In One.

 

what exactly is All In One and how much is it?

 

use a degreaser, then some turtle wax bug and tax, you spray it on leave for a few mins, then go after it with a tooth brush, be careful the toothbrush can scratch if the bristles are real hard. If that does not work try meguiars step 1 paint cleaner. that might take it off. just makesure you wax after whatever you do or else next time you hit mud or whatever it is it will stain again

 

Do NOT use plastic polish (why would you use plastic polish on paint?) and do NOT use a toothbrush on your paint.

As far as getting it off there are a couple of things I would try. First would probably be some type of bug and tar remover, just to see if that gets it. If that doesn't work maybe try some Klasse AIO (www.properautocare.com) to see if you can chemically clean it off. You could also try clay before the AIO...I suspect that might work. If none of that works then some ScratchX or similar spot polish should probably do the trick.

I can't imagine that any kind of mud would have damaged the paint so severely that you can't get it off. You just left it on the car too long and it etched. Chemical (non abrasive) cleaners are the first thing to try, but you may need some polish no matter what. Worst case scenario if none of that works (you have a ****LOAD of polishing to do before even CONSIDERING this as an option) then you could get some 2000 grit paper and wetsand it. That would be the absolute last possible resort and would require a little wetsanding and a LOT of polishing. I personally would see if the professionals can get the stains out with a rotary before going to that level though.

As said...next time keep the car waxed and preferably don't let mud sit on the paint and you won't have this problem.