Sand Blasting Residue all over my car. HELP!

[Miss SRT8]

I'm wondering if anybody can help me with some tips on how to get sand blasting residue off my car. Yup, sounds retarded I know. The business across the street from where I work decided to sand blast in their yard very close to the road. The wind direction that day was coming right into my company parking lot, I did not even realize and now I have a big problem on my hands.

I just took it over to the husky and gave it a really good wash there, but not all of it came off. I've never really had a vehicle that was worth hand washing before so I'm not sure what to use etc. And well it's not like I'm just hand washing for fun I am scared of scratching my car getting the sand particles off. Any ideas guys?............. Now I think I'm going to cry :(

[Hemi31]

I would think a pressure washer until there is no abrasive left to rub into the paint.

[Magnum Power]

Dont forget to make a claim, file a police report so you may be able to get a new paint job.

[Miss SRT8]

I'm not the only person that has the residue either. There's at least 3 or 4 more that I know of so far that have it as well. The only reason I realized was because one of the guys had the day off today, took his car to wash it, realized and then phoned me at work.

[07ChargerSRT8]

It sounds like this might be a good time to take a clay bar to the car. It will pick up any residue you have without scratching the finish. You'll need to give the car a good wax job afterwards because the clay bar also removes the wax.

I'm wondering if anybody can help me with some tips on how to get sand blasting residue off my car. Yup, sounds retarded I know. The business across the street from where I work decided to sand blast in their yard very close to the road. The wind direction that day was coming right into my company parking lot, I did not even realize and now I have a big problem on my hands.

I just took it over to the husky and gave it a really good wash there, but not all of it came off. I've never really had a vehicle that was worth hand washing before so I'm not sure what to use etc. And well it's not like I'm just hand washing for fun I am scared of scratching my car getting the sand particles off. Any ideas guys?............. Now I think I'm going to cry :(

[MikeEast]

I'd put a whole lot of quarters into the spray wand thingy at the car wash and go over it a couple of times with and without soap until you can't feel any grit - then I'd either find a friend or do it myself and do the claybar thing and then wax it.

One 'test' that will astonish you - get a regular sandwich baggy and put your hand in it (after the carwash scene) and slide it gently along the sheet metal - before you claybar. Follow directions and afterwards do the baggy thing again.

What's the Autozone equivilent in the Great White North?

If that's not an option, there are folks who make a living at shining sheet metal - some 'detailers' are better than others and doing some reading in the forums at autopia.org or meguiars.com might get you someone local to you that can help out.

Mike

[geraldk]

i'd be sure all the sand was off the car before i tryed hand washing,by using a wash wand
then i'd send the company a bill for your time and any expenses you have for doing the cleaning!!!
at the very least they could have warned the neighbors b4 they started.

[Cruisin1966]

Dont forget to make a claim, file a police report so you may be able to get a new paint job.

That may work down in the US, but it won't work up here. They'll claim they had no intent on causing any "damage" and have no control over wind, especially across a road.

Miss SRT8: As others have suggested take it to the car wash (wand-style) again. You may wish to soak it really well with a pre-soak first and then rinse it off three or four times completely. Run your hand over it (gently) afterwards to see if you can feel the grit. If it's still there, your options are probably the clay bar followed by a really good waxing, or taking it to a detailing business. Personally never having used a clay bar, and this being a new car, I'd be tempted to let a professional do it.

[bandaid]

It sounds like this might be a good time to take a clay bar to the car. It will pick up any residue you have without scratching the finish. You'll need to give the car a good wax job afterwards because the clay bar also removes the wax.

Clay bar will take the grit off. Make sure you give it a good wash first to remove loose sand. Do not hand rub the sand in. Use lots of detailer with the clay. You want to remove tye sand and not scratch the surface. A good coat of polish after clay and you will be ready for winter.

Good luck!

[PickardvilleSRT8]

Claybar the car. It's super easy to use, but time consuming. I clay barred my 97 Monte Carlo years ago when it got covered in overspray. We were painting stuff outdoors and the paint drifted over the building and made my white car polka dot. I did every panel on the car and it looked and felt new afterwards. I just bought the Mothers kit from Canadian Tire and it worked fine. It's right around $20 so its cheap to do...... just takes up some of your time.

[geraldk]

Claybar the car. It's super easy to use, but time consuming. I clay barred my 97 Monte Carlo years ago when it got covered in overspray. We were painting stuff outdoors and the paint drifted over the building and made my white car polka dot. I did every panel on the car and it looked and felt new afterwards. I just bought the Mothers kit from Canadian Tire and it worked fine. It's right around $20 so its cheap to do...... just takes up some of your time.

heres what the claybar kit looks like
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...r%2BSystem.jsp

[JamieLap]

i work at a steel shop and the sand blaster runs everyday. i just was the car every couple days. i was very good with the pressure washer then if i need to i wash by hand but make sure you have a lot of soap. it seems to work for me but it would depend on the colour of the car. mine is light blue so it's not as noticable

[Shaggin Magnum]

if it were me id use dawn dish soap (heard it works best for taking the wax of to clear coat...then clay bar i use windex for lube....then wax...i like the tip about a sandwich bag on your hand.....lol for real.....good luck.

[MikeEast]

if it were me id use dawn dish soap (heard it works best for taking the wax of to clear coat...then clay bar i use windex for lube....then wax...i like the tip about a sandwich bag on your hand.....lol for real.....good luck.

I'd only use Dawn (or any dishwashing soap) ONCE, if at all - Meguiares makes some real nice car shampoo. Dishwashing shampoo is real harsh on a car.

I tend to clay bar if I feel it needs it, when I'm washing the car - lots and lots of soapy water, more lubrication is a good thing. Making sure you knead that claybar regularly and pay careful attention to whats on it too - or you'll do more harm than good. IF I'm not washing when claybarring I use the maroon flavor of detail spray and do only a 12"x12" square at a time.

And if you drop a claybar - throw it away. Really.

Mike

[BAKBRNR]

First of all there are rules and regulations for sand blasting in the city and if they caused damage to your property they are resposible. It's no different than if your spray painting something out doors and the wind takes it on to your neighbors car, you are liable for the damage. I'd be knocking on his door and expecting him to pay for a detail shop to repair it. I'd also be interested in what he was sandblasting as the residue might be corrosive in nature and attack other components of the car later on, ie; plastics rubber etc. It most likely wouldn't hurt to approach them with the others that have damage as well, so they don't just try to brush you off. You can probably repair this yourself following the advice above, but why should you have to waste your time over someone else's ignorance. JMO