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Didn't think this quite belonged in "Exterior" since it's not parts-related, but move if need be, please. 
So basically, the Miata is in a state of perma-filth. It sat parked for 2 years while I tried to deal with it's blown motor, I got it together, washed the majority of the dirt off, and ran to California with it. In California, i blew the HG, the oil pump, and an endtank on the stock radiator, so it got parked at home, and didn't move again until March or so of this year. Since then i've been too busy driving it to really sit and detail it, but now it's so bad, i don't know what'll get it clean. . . it's beyond claybar time, and car wash soap doesn't do crap to the runoff down the sides of the car.
There's four pics attached showing the "trouble" spots of the car, that I've no clue how to remedy short of a paintjob. Anyone have any ideas for me?
The first area is courtesy of my catless exhaust. A temporary situation that's left some rather permanent looking problems. The whole passenger rear is black, and even the spots where i've tried to wash it away stay stained and very rough to the touch. The rear licence panel has been stained a slightly off color with rough feel since I bought the car in 2000.
The second area is generally... the sides of the car. from sitting, they got dirt, etc running down the sides, and as a result, even washing doesn't take off these brown streaks down the side.
The third is a relatively common problem... the wheels. I know this brakedust will come off eventually, but the wheels are painted and I'm afraid of screwing up the finish. I don't want to have to throw them in the blasting cabinet and then repaint them... what can I use to pull this off w/o killing the painted surface? These used to be WHITE for reference's sake.
The last one is the one that really embarrasses me. . . the engine bay. I see these great bays with hidden wiring, and then I see mine. I really want to float the engine at some point, but with paint that won't even yield to OVEN CLEANER and a pressure washer, I'm out of ideas. Anyone have any for me?
So basically, the Miata is in a state of perma-filth. It sat parked for 2 years while I tried to deal with it's blown motor, I got it together, washed the majority of the dirt off, and ran to California with it. In California, i blew the HG, the oil pump, and an endtank on the stock radiator, so it got parked at home, and didn't move again until March or so of this year. Since then i've been too busy driving it to really sit and detail it, but now it's so bad, i don't know what'll get it clean. . . it's beyond claybar time, and car wash soap doesn't do crap to the runoff down the sides of the car.
There's four pics attached showing the "trouble" spots of the car, that I've no clue how to remedy short of a paintjob. Anyone have any ideas for me?
The first area is courtesy of my catless exhaust. A temporary situation that's left some rather permanent looking problems. The whole passenger rear is black, and even the spots where i've tried to wash it away stay stained and very rough to the touch. The rear licence panel has been stained a slightly off color with rough feel since I bought the car in 2000.
The second area is generally... the sides of the car. from sitting, they got dirt, etc running down the sides, and as a result, even washing doesn't take off these brown streaks down the side.
The third is a relatively common problem... the wheels. I know this brakedust will come off eventually, but the wheels are painted and I'm afraid of screwing up the finish. I don't want to have to throw them in the blasting cabinet and then repaint them... what can I use to pull this off w/o killing the painted surface? These used to be WHITE for reference's sake.
The last one is the one that really embarrasses me. . . the engine bay. I see these great bays with hidden wiring, and then I see mine. I really want to float the engine at some point, but with paint that won't even yield to OVEN CLEANER and a pressure washer, I'm out of ideas. Anyone have any for me?
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