....not sure if this is the right section.....

We just drove from Reno to Grass Valley in our brand new RAV4 (400 miles old), and discovered a ton of white stuff caked onto our passenger side wheel wells, on the rocker panels behind them, and the exhaust pipe. Only the passenger side. Nothing on the tires.

It looks like caked on chunks of kittie litter that went on wet and dried. I tried hosing it off but didn't do anything. It seems to come off if I use a finger nail and chip away at it, but frankly, I don't want to do that, given the coverage. Also, I'm wary of damaging the paint.

We drove through a lot of construction on interstate 80 and I wonder if this is related?

Anyone recognize what this stuff is, and how to get it off without damaging the paint?

 

my girlfriends dad worked construction for alot of years, from the looks of it looks like paint they use to paint the white lines on the road, the best way to do it is too slowly chip it off, its going to suck but thats about the only way without damageing the paint, take a rag for more surface area and a firm grip and see if it can pop off eaiser, wet the surface before doing this, thats if this is what i think it is, someone might chime in with a different opinion

 

honestly? it looks like tire foam was sprayed on and then driven. lol I drive through the construction on 80 every day for work and my 4Runner nor mustang have this on them.

 

Damn, I think that is exactly what it is now. We drove to the airport last Friday and right before we got to reno, we passed by a road crew laying new white stripes...they were driving, with paint jets sparying every couple seconds. We were part of a pack of cars that were stuck behind, and eventually passed, this paint crew.

Now I'm really pissed..it has been on there a full week.

Anyone ever had success getting road crews/states to cover repairs like this? Brand new car

 

they will say that they have trucks warning u of the wet paint and will not cover it, if u take it to a detail shop they might be able to get it all off.

 

Anthrax

 

lol buck87!

I think I'm going to call my insuruance today just to see what options are. I have a good body shop near my house I can also check in with.

I saw no signs on trucks...and besides, if there were, there was nowhere for us to go - it was ONE lane and we were all stuck in a line behind this paint(ing) truck until we got to the freeway and could pass.

 

It looks like it's mostly on the fender liner/wheel well and not TOO much on the paint... I'll bet a new plastic liner won't break your wallet, even from the dealership.

As for the paint...Hot water and a plastic spatula? Full strength simple green? Maybe some rubbing compound?

 

I'd recommend you post your pictures on meguiarsonline.com forum and see what the professionals say or just take it to a good auto detailing shop for an estimate or bit of advice. It shouldn't be that hard to remove with the right products and good experience IMO.

 

Just did that, thanks for the tip.

I would have to pay $250 deductible if my insurance covered - they just confirmed on the phone. they can't/won't go after the road crew, so I'm on my own either way.

 

On the plastic liner you could probably use acetone or paint thinner, but as far as the paint goes like, somebody else said robbing compound might do the trick.

 

Update everyone - Shortly after this thread, I took it to get detailed after driving to CO and back to CA. I asked if they could address the road paint and they said they would.

For $40, they used a pressure washer and removed it all. No marrs or scratches. WHEW!!

 

WHEW is right, I can finally sleep tonight ya big jerk

Glad it came off!!

 

I had the same stuff on my truck in utah i had to get inner fender undercoated to get rid of it the body shop got the stuff off my paint it did not cost much

 

I was gonna say just spit on it.... REALLY REALLY HARD. But pressure washer works too.