I lent my car to an exhaust company I work with, so I could have an exhaust system made for my TDV8. The car was mint when it left me on Monday, but when I went to pick it up on Friday, I could see that the car had run through some mud, which had sprayed up the side of the car, and of course the side steps.

The mud was a very light grey colour, almost like cement, but crumbled away to the touch, so obviously wasn't. However, it would seem the mud was somewhat alkali, as it's attacked the metal on the steps, and no amount of scrubbing will restore the colour. The spray on the paintwork washed off okay, but I could see the marks where it had been. A quick dab of scratch remover and they'd gone. I assume the shear amount of wax I've applied may have saved the paintwork!

Click image to enlarge

Did they say where they'd been with it?  

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From leaving me, they went to see another customer nearby, who's place is down a short dirt track, and this is where he susspects the mud came from. He's going to call them and ask about it.

I've just spoken to Duckworth's, and they've asked to have a look at them, as they've heard of this before.  Feel the difference... Feel Alive!

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Be interesting to hear what it is... looks like paint the way it's dried on. Hope they're not ruined  

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I think it's similar to what happens on caravan awning rails. If you get a dollop of bird poo on the aluminium rail, and not clean it off immediately, it'll go like that.  Feel the difference... Feel Alive!

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I have seen this happen with fertiliser deposits, cement dust and also Lime - all occuring in farm environments.

Had any of the fields been dusted with lime in the last few days, or lime spilt on the farm track. This frequently happens when loading the lime spreaders from the back of the lorry on farm drives. Vehicles then drive through it, it gets damp with atmospheric dew and the result is corroded metal...

this sounds exactly like magnesium limestone :-

Quote:

The mud was a very light grey colour, almost like cement, but crumbled away to the touch, so obviously wasn't. However, it would seem the mud was somewhat alkali, as it's attacked the metal on the steps

it does look tarnished to me

Maybe site sponsor JKP Detail can suggest something to sort it out.

also...

You said the company you dropped the car off at popped to see somebody in it, was this to do with the exhaust system they was making, or was they just using your car instead and due to this are they going to reimburse your cost for fixing the side step

npinks wrote:

You said the company you dropped the car off at popped to see somebody in it, was this to do with the exhaust system they was making, or was they just using your car instead and due to this are they going to reimburse your cost for fixing the side step

sounds good not the joy riding type as i first thought

I have sidesteps on my 55 plate and noticed some marks on the steps are quite difficult to remove. I thought my steps (originals from Land Rover) were just polished metal, but I now think they are steel, painted silver and lacquered similar to alloy wheels etc.

The only thing I've found that seems to shift the marks / stains is Tar Remover from Halfords

Mine are from Land Rover (fitted new about 6 weeks ago!) and the metal strip is almost certainly aluminium. Feel the difference... Feel Alive!

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OK are the steps then mainly a steel construction with rubber inserts (for standing on) plus an aluminium strip running along the visible side.

The question is are the older steps (like mine) lacquered and the newer steps are not

OR

has the previous owner of my vehicle had the steps laquered

I too thought they were polished aluminium, so tried metal polish first which of course did absolutely nothing - then I realised the aluminium strip (in my case) is lacquered.

Hmmm confusing

jammy wrote:

OK are the steps then mainly a steel construction with rubber inserts (for standing on) plus an aluminium strip running along the visible side.

I've seen similar tarnishing on RRS/ D3 sidesteps on quite a few i've done, but not to that extent. Usually AG metal polish or Autosol used with some #00 wire wool does the trick.

One set was replaced by the supplying dealer under warranty Need detailing or cleaning products, drop me a pm for forum discount prices.

If you dont want to clean it yourself, give me a shout for a quote on your detailing requirements. From a simple valet to machine polishing to remove bramble rash and swirl marks.

I've also found that Autosol does a good job of cleaning them up as they do go dull over time. TDV6 - gone
TDV8 - gone
Audi Q5 3.0 Tdi Sline wef 6/11/10