Splotches on my hood?

   / Splotches on my hood? #1  

dieselram

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2006
Messages
313
Location
Meadville, PA
Tractor
2007 John Deere 3120 TLBM
I had my 4300 in the mud a little yesterday and got mud all over the hood. I did not have time to wash it last night so I washed it today by hand and powerwasher. After it dried, there are dull spots where the mud was and the other parts are shiny. I tried rubbing them out with my t-shirt and it made no difference. How do I get them to go away?
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #3  
If you use wax or polish, try it on a small, out of the way area first! I had some scratches on my hood and used McGuires clearcoat polis/scratch remover and it actually dulled the finish. I forgot the color was IN the fiberglass hood. I don't think what I used was made for fiberglass. I use Turtle wax car wash to keep it clean.
 
   / Splotches on my hood?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I'll try the wax later tonight and maybe get some fork pics of the new Frontiers.
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #6  
My 4110 is always kept inside when not in use and the hood pieces look like they were sun baked for years. I thought it was the cheap paint they used. It also has a blotch effect when you look at it. I had the 455 painted with base / clear system ( sikkens ) and it shined like a diamond. If I have this one in five years I will have it done also.
* I tried wax.... no significant change.
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #7  
How does the garden grow? Sounds like a little lime to counter act all that acid in the soil.
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #8  
I have 30+ years in the automotive repair and painting business so I have a great deal of expertise in these areas.

Todays urethane finishes are very shiny. Consequently areas where the paint is dulled can be rather obvious. Using the right product for the job is key in keeping it a small job, Using a polish/compound that is too coarse will leave the finish dull. Using a polish that is too fine will leave the spot in question still visible.

If I could see the spot in question in person, I could tell you what to use. Since that is not an option, I suggest you go to a parts store that has a line like the Meguiar's products. They have products that start out with the coarse compounds and work there way up to the finest finish.

Keep in mind that you will sometimes need more than 1 product to do the job. I would start out with a deep cleaner. This would have a fine abrasive, see if it removes the spots. If it does and your satisfied with the gloss level, great. If it removes the spots but, leaves the finish dulled, you will have to move to the next finer product until your satisfied. If it does not remove the spots, move down to a coarser product, until gone, and then up to the finer stuff.

A buffer can speed the process up considerably, if you have a competent operator.

Todays waxes usually have no polish in them and are little more than siliconeized carnuba, Look for a wax with a cleaner, if you actually want to accomplish anything during the waxing process. The actual act of applying wax is unnecessary with modern paint. However, it makes many people feel good to do so. Be my guest, knock your selfs out.

Use an old T shirt balled up with the seams in side, in a circular motion. Start out pushing hard, and reduce pressure as you buff.
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #9  
I thought it was the cheap paint they used.

Todays urethane finishes are very shiny. Consequently areas where the paint is dulled can be rather obvious. Using the right product for the job is key in keeping it a small job, Using a polish/compound that is too coarse will leave the finish dull. Using a polish that is too fine will leave the spot in question still visible.

If I could see the spot in question in person, I could tell you what to use. Since that is not an option, I suggest you go to a parts store that has a line like the Meguiar's products. They have products that start out with the coarse compounds and work there way up to the finest finish.

Keep in mind that you will sometimes need more than 1 product to do the job. I would start out with a deep cleaner. This would have a fine abrasive, see if it removes the spots. If it does and your satisfied with the gloss level, great. If it removes the spots but, leaves the finish dulled, you will have to move to the next finer product until your satisfied. If it does not remove the spots, move down to a coarser product, until gone, and then up to the finer stuff.

A buffer can speed the process up considerably, if you have a competent operator.

Todays waxes usually have no polish in them and are little more than siliconeized carnuba, Look for a wax with a cleaner, if you actually want to accomplish anything during the waxing process. The actual act of applying wax is unnecessary with modern paint. However, it makes many people feel good to do so. Be my guest, knock your selfs out.

Use an old T shirt balled up with the seams in side, in a circular motion. Start out pushing hard, and reduce pressure as you buff.

I forgot the color was IN the fiberglass hood. I don't think what I used was made for fiberglass.

All great advice except for one major thing...The hood is made of PLASTIC, there is NO paint on it! I have not found what works well yet, but I do know that conventional methods for scratch removal are futile at best.
 
   / Splotches on my hood? #10  
Is it polyproplene plastic, smc plastc, or fiberglass?
The last JD hood I saw was SMC plastic. SMC IS PAINTED.

Polyproplene- Same color inside, and out sort of dull appearance
SMC- Color of tractor on outside, swirled grey colors inside, with smooth surface.
Fiberglass- Color of tractor on outside, rough fibers showing on inside.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

(INOP) 2013 FREIGHTLINER EXTENDED CAB SERVICE TRUC (A51406)
(INOP) 2013...
2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Sedan (A53424)
2018 Ford Fusion...
2005 TerraGator 8104 (A55301)
2005 TerraGator...
UNUSED LANDHONOR LHR-EPC40 PLASMA CUTTER (A54757)
UNUSED LANDHONOR...
Set 4- 10-16.5 tires/wheel for bobcat (A55787)
Set 4- 10-16.5...
2018 Ford F-450 Ext. Cab 4x4 Mason Dump Truck (A53422)
2018 Ford F-450...
 
Top