Edward 96GTS
Enthusiast
and stripes. Goo Gone, 3m swirl remover and clay bar will not remove it. Is there a rubbing compound I should use?
Will I need to color sand it smooth?
TIA
Will I need to color sand it smooth?
TIA
black exhaust spots on back bumper.....
- Thread starter Edward 96GTS
- Start date
Snake Bitten
Enthusiast
Claybar usually does the trick for me...Keep going up with the Abrasives...Try:
1. 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound Liquid...if that still doesn't work, go more
2. 3M Medium Cut Rubbing Coumpound, follow up with the Fine Cut...
Neither will harm your finish...
1. 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound Liquid...if that still doesn't work, go more
2. 3M Medium Cut Rubbing Coumpound, follow up with the Fine Cut...
Neither will harm your finish...
1TONY1
Enthusiast
I use Greased Lightning....similar to the strong purple cleaner on my rear white stripes then coat back with wax.
Edward 96GTS
Enthusiast
Tony, what is the strong purple cleaner you are using for the white stripes?
1TONY1
Enthusiast
I use Greased Lightning, it is a household type degreaser/cleaner. Check at a Dollar General Store or Family Dollar Store if you have them in Ca.. I got mine at the Dollar General Store. I was just saying it was similar to the strong purple cleaner (maybe made by Castrol) Also works great as a engine cleaner....spray on, hose off. It is fairly strong so there is no need to leave it on....spray on and immediatly wipe off. The last time I was going to clean the white, I tryed with the polish/wax and it looked better but still wasn't white......took the Greased Lightning and wiped it and it turned white. After using it be sure to wax that area because the cleaner will also be removing the wax.
Edward 96GTS
Enthusiast
Monday morning bump.
slaughterj
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2001
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I use Simple Green, works great!
This issue goes back to the Blue/White Coupes and got a lot of discussion on the OLD board. Was less an issue on the newer cars and doesn't get much discussion so searches here don't have as much info. Prevention Cures tried ranged from the ZAF tips to the longer Snake-Oyl assembly, to 3M-Film, to letting the car warm up before driving....
http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB17&Number=133013
But from the old days, some observations, after the cars had been out a few years, to review for those blue/whites. It may not be cleanable spots, but may be pitting:
SUBJECT>Re: Stop the pitting on rear panel
POSTER>Jerry Scott (CO)
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Tuesday, 5 October 1999, at 7:00 p.m.
The pitting can be stopped by applying 3M Paint Protection Film to the rear panel. Jerry Scott (CO)
MESSAGE>60684
SUBJECT>Re: GTS Airflow
POSTER>Brad Manhattan Beach
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Monday, 20 December 1999, at 9:22 a.m.
Using and antistatic polish will help keep the rear clean. You should also try to warm the car up for a few minutes or the excess water from the engine will be swept back onto your tail section and permanantly scorch the paint(it looks like little dark spots that won't come out even with a magic clay bar). I'm sure that Zaino probably makes a good antistatic polish. I personally use a company called Finish Kare (which spun off of McGuires).
MESSAGE>46352
SUBJECT>? on rear paint damage from exhaust
POSTER>John N
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Monday, 23 August 1999, at 9:13 p.m.
Looking for advice from other rear-exhaust owners. I know this has to be a common problem.
Have spent the last couple of evenings cleaning my '97 GTS back up after weekend at TWS and am getting more and more annoyed at the condition of the paint on the rear of my car. I've noticed apparent damage to the clearcoat in the past and it is now much worse with ▒4700 miles on the car. The car has always been well maintained with multiple coats of Zaino but still suffers from apparent pitting in the paint. Just finished claying it AGAIN tonight with no help, the exhaust residue appears to have eaten into the paint. It's looking like the rear will have to be repainted.
Am considering having the rear repainted and then installing new, longer pipes from TNT or somewhere. Any comments from others who have been through this would be appreciated.
MESSAGE>46367
SUBJECT>Re: ? on rear paint damage from exhaust
POSTER>Bob Woodhouse
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Tuesday, 24 August 1999, at 6:32 a.m.
Yes John Many of us have been through this. Look in the archives here on the message board and you will find loads of info. We think the catalysts sluff off some high temp material when the engine is being run aggressively. I doubt that you will see much more damage from here on as I think the cats are run in at this point.
MESSAGE>50238
SUBJECT>Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem
POSTER>Eric Schwartzman
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 7:54 p.m.
On my 96 GTS, I have a little of the exhaust pitting problem that white-striped coupes seem to experience. I don't believe that the problem is getting any worse (I have snake-oyl pipes installed which stick out the back of the car farther than stock and I always keep the rear of the car well Zainoed). I have a theory (this probably isn't a new idea)--I believe that the pitting occurs when the car is very new, in the first 1,000 or so miles. Little holes are melted in the clear coat by hot exhaust reside coming out of the pipes when the car breaks in. But I don't think that the pitting itself causes the black spots in the paint, only little depressions in the clear coat. It looks to me as if the black spots on the white stripe are actually little specks of dirt trapped in the depression in the clear coat caused by the original pitting. When the car is washed or polished, the dirt stays in the holes in the clear coat. Most of the black spots in the white stripe of my car are easily fixed by using some cleaner wax over the spot, which seems to polish out the dirt from the depression. Anyway, this is my theory. Having said this, I have some questions. Has anyone tried the white turtle wax to help cover the exhaust pits? Or alternatively, has anyone tried something like "Didi 7", the all purpose whitener, bleacher, cleaner that is advertised on TV to try to bleach/remove the black pits? Or is there another solution? I know that the exhaust pitting problem is revisited on this board quite often, but I'm always curious to see if someone has come up with the definitive solution. Thanks, Eric
MESSAGE>50247
SUBJECT>Re: Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem /// or try this
POSTER>Richard '96 GTS
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 8:49 p.m.
I've found letting the car warm up before driving it seems to eliminate any residue on the back. As it sits and idles you can see the ground suddenly getting damp from the spitting that occurs about a minute after starting it. Then once it reaches operating temperature there is no more residue on the ground.. and evidently nothing to be vacuumed onto the rear of the car at speed. (stock exhaust but no cats)
MESSAGE>50276
SUBJECT>Re: Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem
POSTER>Mike P.
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 10:43 p.m.
Experienced the pitting problem you're speaking of over the last month. My car has 15,500 miles on it and it happened again today (so it happens to "old" cars too). The spots on my white stripes are gray in color and are not trapped dirt in the depressions but the actual residue from the exhaust that is causing the oitting. I found today that Macguire's Body Scrub will remove the discoloration to reveal a hole through the paint, not just the clear coat.
My other observation, even "Zaino The Omnipotent" can't prevent this problem.
I mentioned this happened to me today, Sunday. I just received my car back from the dealer on Friday after having the entire rear end repainted under warranty for this problem. Needless to say it's going back this week. A little more R&D by you guys at Dodge to prevent this problem may save you a little on your warranty premiums.
MESSAGE>51143
SUBJECT>There must be a ZILLION references to this in the archives, but here goes...
POSTER>Chuck Haskin (Schaumburg, IL)
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 3 October 1999, at 10:47 a.m.
The pitting is caused by exaust 'spatter', byproducts of combustion that float up into the low pressure area behind the car. I typically find small black spots on the white stripes on the bumper after a ride. I believe that most of these are from the sooty water that comes out of the exaust for several minutes after startup. I find that if I let the car idle for a minute or two longer and drive mellow (under 2000 RPM) for 10 or 15 minutes that there is WAY less spatter when I get home. After a ride I dust off the back of the car with a car duster and then tend to any spots with some Zaino Z-6 gloss enhancer. It helps to apply several coats of Zaino polish to this area, as it offers some protection and makes cleanup a lot easier.
Some people have mentioned superheated particles from the catalytic converters that melt into the finish, but I have yet to experience anything like that. Knock on wood!
Hope this helps
MESSAGE>51518
SUBJECT>Re: Rear Facia exhaust pitting
POSTER>Berney
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Wednesday, 6 October 1999, at 9:54 p.m.
Hi Andy I had the same thing happen to mine and I found that Dodge has a problem with some of their batteries leaking. The acid eats into the finish. My 97 GTS is in the shop being repainted now for this. Check under your car and look for signs of acid on the frame on the left rear.
http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB17&Number=133013
But from the old days, some observations, after the cars had been out a few years, to review for those blue/whites. It may not be cleanable spots, but may be pitting:
SUBJECT>Re: Stop the pitting on rear panel
POSTER>Jerry Scott (CO)
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Tuesday, 5 October 1999, at 7:00 p.m.
The pitting can be stopped by applying 3M Paint Protection Film to the rear panel. Jerry Scott (CO)
MESSAGE>60684
SUBJECT>Re: GTS Airflow
POSTER>Brad Manhattan Beach
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Monday, 20 December 1999, at 9:22 a.m.
Using and antistatic polish will help keep the rear clean. You should also try to warm the car up for a few minutes or the excess water from the engine will be swept back onto your tail section and permanantly scorch the paint(it looks like little dark spots that won't come out even with a magic clay bar). I'm sure that Zaino probably makes a good antistatic polish. I personally use a company called Finish Kare (which spun off of McGuires).
MESSAGE>46352
SUBJECT>? on rear paint damage from exhaust
POSTER>John N
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Monday, 23 August 1999, at 9:13 p.m.
Looking for advice from other rear-exhaust owners. I know this has to be a common problem.
Have spent the last couple of evenings cleaning my '97 GTS back up after weekend at TWS and am getting more and more annoyed at the condition of the paint on the rear of my car. I've noticed apparent damage to the clearcoat in the past and it is now much worse with ▒4700 miles on the car. The car has always been well maintained with multiple coats of Zaino but still suffers from apparent pitting in the paint. Just finished claying it AGAIN tonight with no help, the exhaust residue appears to have eaten into the paint. It's looking like the rear will have to be repainted.
Am considering having the rear repainted and then installing new, longer pipes from TNT or somewhere. Any comments from others who have been through this would be appreciated.
MESSAGE>46367
SUBJECT>Re: ? on rear paint damage from exhaust
POSTER>Bob Woodhouse
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Tuesday, 24 August 1999, at 6:32 a.m.
Yes John Many of us have been through this. Look in the archives here on the message board and you will find loads of info. We think the catalysts sluff off some high temp material when the engine is being run aggressively. I doubt that you will see much more damage from here on as I think the cats are run in at this point.
MESSAGE>50238
SUBJECT>Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem
POSTER>Eric Schwartzman
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 7:54 p.m.
On my 96 GTS, I have a little of the exhaust pitting problem that white-striped coupes seem to experience. I don't believe that the problem is getting any worse (I have snake-oyl pipes installed which stick out the back of the car farther than stock and I always keep the rear of the car well Zainoed). I have a theory (this probably isn't a new idea)--I believe that the pitting occurs when the car is very new, in the first 1,000 or so miles. Little holes are melted in the clear coat by hot exhaust reside coming out of the pipes when the car breaks in. But I don't think that the pitting itself causes the black spots in the paint, only little depressions in the clear coat. It looks to me as if the black spots on the white stripe are actually little specks of dirt trapped in the depression in the clear coat caused by the original pitting. When the car is washed or polished, the dirt stays in the holes in the clear coat. Most of the black spots in the white stripe of my car are easily fixed by using some cleaner wax over the spot, which seems to polish out the dirt from the depression. Anyway, this is my theory. Having said this, I have some questions. Has anyone tried the white turtle wax to help cover the exhaust pits? Or alternatively, has anyone tried something like "Didi 7", the all purpose whitener, bleacher, cleaner that is advertised on TV to try to bleach/remove the black pits? Or is there another solution? I know that the exhaust pitting problem is revisited on this board quite often, but I'm always curious to see if someone has come up with the definitive solution. Thanks, Eric
MESSAGE>50247
SUBJECT>Re: Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem /// or try this
POSTER>Richard '96 GTS
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 8:49 p.m.
I've found letting the car warm up before driving it seems to eliminate any residue on the back. As it sits and idles you can see the ground suddenly getting damp from the spitting that occurs about a minute after starting it. Then once it reaches operating temperature there is no more residue on the ground.. and evidently nothing to be vacuumed onto the rear of the car at speed. (stock exhaust but no cats)
MESSAGE>50276
SUBJECT>Re: Some thoughts about exhaust pitting problem
POSTER>Mike P.
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 26 September 1999, at 10:43 p.m.
Experienced the pitting problem you're speaking of over the last month. My car has 15,500 miles on it and it happened again today (so it happens to "old" cars too). The spots on my white stripes are gray in color and are not trapped dirt in the depressions but the actual residue from the exhaust that is causing the oitting. I found today that Macguire's Body Scrub will remove the discoloration to reveal a hole through the paint, not just the clear coat.
My other observation, even "Zaino The Omnipotent" can't prevent this problem.
I mentioned this happened to me today, Sunday. I just received my car back from the dealer on Friday after having the entire rear end repainted under warranty for this problem. Needless to say it's going back this week. A little more R&D by you guys at Dodge to prevent this problem may save you a little on your warranty premiums.
MESSAGE>51143
SUBJECT>There must be a ZILLION references to this in the archives, but here goes...
POSTER>Chuck Haskin (Schaumburg, IL)
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Sunday, 3 October 1999, at 10:47 a.m.
The pitting is caused by exaust 'spatter', byproducts of combustion that float up into the low pressure area behind the car. I typically find small black spots on the white stripes on the bumper after a ride. I believe that most of these are from the sooty water that comes out of the exaust for several minutes after startup. I find that if I let the car idle for a minute or two longer and drive mellow (under 2000 RPM) for 10 or 15 minutes that there is WAY less spatter when I get home. After a ride I dust off the back of the car with a car duster and then tend to any spots with some Zaino Z-6 gloss enhancer. It helps to apply several coats of Zaino polish to this area, as it offers some protection and makes cleanup a lot easier.
Some people have mentioned superheated particles from the catalytic converters that melt into the finish, but I have yet to experience anything like that. Knock on wood!
Hope this helps
MESSAGE>51518
SUBJECT>Re: Rear Facia exhaust pitting
POSTER>Berney
EMAIL>[email protected]
DATE>Wednesday, 6 October 1999, at 9:54 p.m.
Hi Andy I had the same thing happen to mine and I found that Dodge has a problem with some of their batteries leaking. The acid eats into the finish. My 97 GTS is in the shop being repainted now for this. Check under your car and look for signs of acid on the frame on the left rear.
Edward 96GTS
Enthusiast
I quess if there is pitting, the only cure is to repaint or color sand.
Marv, Thanks for the great link!
Marv, Thanks for the great link!
If it's fuel or oil related spots, use Dawn dish soap. Dawn dish soap did wonders removing fuel stains. You have to let it sit for about 10-15 mins so it can cut the grime out. Wash with a soft rag and it should be gone.
Look at this picture of the stains that no cats can do. Dawn took it all off! Paint looks brand new!
Look at this picture of the stains that no cats can do. Dawn took it all off! Paint looks brand new!
You must be registered for see images
1TONY1
Enthusiast
Ab, Who set that picnic table on the back of your car 
