15 replies to this topic

[corncobs]

I had to bring out the clay bar today to remove the spores of artillery fungus all over my FFH.
These nasty little black spots where all over the left side, hood and roof of my car. They seem to really like light I found about 15 of them just on the underside of the left mirror around the puddle lamp.

Not sure if someone has ever seen or heard about these things before but I sure don't wish that expierience to anyone.

I forgot to take pics since I just wanted to get rid of them as fast as possible.

[djminfll]

I had to bring out the clay bar today to remove the spores of artillery fungus all over my FFH.
These nasty little black spots where all over the left side, hood and roof of my car. They seem to really like light I found about 15 of them just on the underside of the left mirror around the puddle lamp.

Not sure if someone has ever seen or heard about these things before but I sure don't wish that expierience to anyone.

I forgot to take pics since I just wanted to get rid of them as fast as possible.

Artillery fungus? I never heard of it, but it sounds ugly! What is it, and how did it get on your car?

[SteveB_TX]

I just used google to see what this stuff is.  Yuck!  I guess you have some infested mulch huh?

[corncobs]

Sorry I forgot to mention this in the original post.
Yes it's coming from mulch and yes my car is parked along a flower bed which is covered with mulch. I'm not sure where it's really coming from since we didn't add new mulch this year. Maybe all the rain we had here triggered the growth of this stuff in the old mulch.
When I first saw it I thought its tar from road construction.

[corncobs]

Artillery fungus? I never heard of it, but it sounds ugly! What is it, and how did it get on your car?

I tried detailing spray and the results are so so. Fingernails works best but isn't too nice for the paint even if it's protected with Zaino.
When I finally reached the driver door there were way too many spots so had to use clay bar. That worked well but pretty much destroys the clay since it picks up all the spores and this crap sticks like sh**.

[acdii]

Did you try lighter fluid?  That stuff works pretty good without hurting the polish. A shot of Z6 afterwards cleans off the residue. 

[SteveB_TX]

I wonder if wax/adhesive remover would do the trick? 

[acdii]

It might, but then you risk stripping the good stuff off the paint. 

[corncobs]

Did you try lighter fluid?  That stuff works pretty good without hurting the polish. A shot of Z6 afterwards cleans off the residue. 

No I didn't it was supposed to be a "quick" wash while waiting for a friend helping me with a tree removal and I didn't wanna leave to get lighter fluid. I still have a few left and some of them left a ring on the paint after getting them off.

[hybridbear]

Wow that sucks! I hope they don't leave any lasting marks on the paint!

[djminfll]

If there is still some remaining, try Goo-Gone. It won't hurt the paint or the finish, and I have yet to encounter anything that it won't remove. 

Edited by djminfll, 30 September 2013 - 03:10 PM.

[corncobs]

If there is still some remaining, try Goo-Gone. It won't hurt the paint or the finish, and I have yet to encounter anything that it won't remove. 

I had a few long phone calls today and I like to walk around outside while talking. Walking around the parking lot I was sneaking around my car and found quite a few more spots especially with a left over circle that I need to get rid off.

Thanks for the tipps djminfll and acdii

Edited by corncobs, 30 September 2013 - 07:38 PM.

[GrySql]

I gotta give you credit, your topic is about as far from a Ford created problem as one can get, good job warning us!

 

Now we have to armor up against the fungus fruiting bodies that are about 1/10" across and shoot spores like a howitzer!

I hope the Goo Gone works, those nasty little devils stick like super glue they say. 

 

I thought the Lovebugs were bad enough....

The things a person learns on this Forum, amazing.

Edited by GrySql, 30 September 2013 - 10:40 PM.

[corncobs]

I gotta give you credit, your topic is about as far from a Ford created problem as one can get, good job warning us!
 
Now we have to armor up against the fungus fruiting bodies that about 1/10 of an inch across and shoot spores like a howitzer!
I hope the Goo Gone works, those nasty little devils stick like super glue they say.
 
I thought the Lovebugs were bad enough....
The things a person learns on this Forum, amazing.  

Very interesting link you added to your post. It pretty much confirms my suspison about the mulch being to far gone and wet. I should have bought new mulch when it was on sale.

And yes they stick like super glue ... Another wonder of Mother Nature ( even if this one is not really cool )

Edited by corncobs, 30 September 2013 - 10:39 PM.

[GrySql]

 

Very interesting link you added to your post. It pretty much confirms my suspison about the mulch being to far gone and wet. I should have bought new mulch when it was on sale.

And yes they stick like super glue ... Another wonder of Mother Nature ( even if this one is not really cool )

At the bottom of that link are some readers removal suggestions, one person swears by using Windex.

[corncobs]

I bought some Goo-Gone over the weekend and tested it when I got home and it works very well. It's definitely easier then getting out the clay bar.

Thanks again for the tip!