The moment you discover that your car is covered in resin, you often lose heart. Not only because your car has lost its beautiful shine and is now dirty, but also because it is a big job to remove the resin. Cleaning a car covered with resin can be a tedious process, it can potentially damage the paintwork and going through the car wash sometimes doesn't have the desired effect. However, there are a number of ways to remove resin from your car that will make the job a lot easier. Use one of the following methods to restore the clean, shiny exterior of your car.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash your car with soap and warm water
Step 1. Wash your car as soon as possible
The longer resin or similar substance (and bird droppings or insect remains) is left untreated, the more difficult it will be to remove. Taking quick steps will require little effort and will be most successful in getting back a shiny exterior to your car.
Step 2. Rinse your car with clean water
The first rinse will remove the larger pieces of dirt from your car and will then clearly show where you need to focus further on cleaning.
Take the time to wash your entire car, even if it's not completely covered in resin. You will be more satisfied with the result after removing the resin if your whole car is nice and clean. After all, you've already prepared everything you need, so there's nothing to stop you from doing a complete wash
Step 3. Polish the surface of the car with a microfiber cloth dipped in warm soapy water
Use water as warm as possible. The warmer the water, the easier the resin is to remove.
- Try washing your car with warm water before using other wax removal methods. If this removes the resin, that's great, and you're done. If the resin remains, at least you have a clean exterior, on which you can apply another method.
- Make sure the rag is clean. Rinse the rag regularly and then wring it out to remove dirt particles and resin. A dirty rag will only spread grime and resin over the surface of your car.
Step 4. Rinse the surface regularly
By rinsing regularly, you can clearly see which parts are already clean and which parts deserve more attention.
Step 5. Once the resin is removed, dry and wax the car
The major clean-up has undoubtedly removed all the resin, but it has probably also damaged the protective wax layer. Use your usual waxing method or refer to Waxing your car for instructions if you've never waxed your car before.
Method 2 of 3: Remove resin with a professional cleaner
Step 1. Wash your car with soapy water and warm water
Make sure to remove all dirt and dust from around the resin stains. If you are unable to remove the resin using soapy water and warm water, continue with the following steps.
Even if the wash doesn't remove the resin, applying warm water will soften the resin, making removal easier. This is also a good method if the resin has been on the car for a long time
Step 2. Buy a professional resin removal cleaner and see the instructions on the package
These resin removers are available at stores that have car maintenance products in their range. Using a professional cleaner is highly recommended for resin removal. The composition of the agents is extremely suitable for effectively removing the resin without affecting the paint.
Step 3. Apply the resin remover with a clean cloth
Gently rub the cloth over the resin stains. The agent soaks into the spot and will break the bond between the resin and the paint.
Step 4. Brush the resin in circular motions to loosen it
Be careful when doing this, because you don't want to spread the resin further over the car.
Step 5. Finish the treatment by washing and waxing your car
Washing your car again will wash away any residual resin or resin remover. A new layer of wax is recommended to renew the protective layer; this guarantees you a beautiful, glossy lacquer.
Method 3 of 3: Remove resin with household products
Step 1. Wash your car with soapy water and warm water
Make sure to remove all dirt and dust from around the resin stains. If you are unable to remove the resin using soapy water and warm water, continue with the following steps.
Even if the wash doesn't remove the resin, applying warm water will soften the resin, making removal easier. This is also a good method if the resin has been on the car for a long time
Step 2. Use household products to remove the resin
There are a variety of products that you may already have at home that you can use to effectively remove resin. Handle these products with care and test them first on a small area of the paint that is not easily visible, as these products are not specifically intended for the paint of a car.
- Try turpentine or alcohol-containing cleaning wipes. Resin stains will be soaked and removed after lightly applying white spirit with a soft cloth. However, there is a danger that the white spirit will damage the paint. So do not brush too vigorously and for a long time to prevent damage to the paint.
- Apply WD-40 to the resin stains. The resin will absorb the multifunctional agent. Leave it on for a few minutes. You can remove the loosened residue from the car with the help of a cloth.
- Apply disinfectant hand soap to the resin stains. After applying a small amount, give the hand sanitizer a few minutes to soak into the resin. Then wipe the spots with a clean cloth and the resin will dissolve immediately.
Step 3. Finish the treatment by washing and waxing your car
Washing your car again will wash away any remaining resin or resin remover residue. A new layer of wax is recommended to renew the protective layer; this guarantees you a beautiful, glossy lacquer.
Tips
- It is important to remember that you should try to scrub as little as possible and apply as little pressure as possible while performing treatment. The goal is to remove the resin without damaging the paint.
- Use cotton swabs when applying any of the products listed above. With cotton swabs you can work very precisely and it reduces the risk of damage to the paint around the resin stain. As a bonus, you use less of the product, making it last longer.