I have a little road scum (or something) on my car. Not sure what it is but it appears greasy. What is good to take it off. Also, I have some dirt and other grime that doesn't come off with soap and water. What is good to take it off. Also what will compound do to the paint. Good or bad stuff?

 

For road tar and stuff similar use Meguires Body Scrub,,, it's non abrasive and polishes nicely

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Hey Dead, will that stuff get out the dirt that soap doesn't and other stuff like brake fluid. Also where can I get that stuff?

 

Yea,,, it's a clear coat 'polisher',,, it's more agressive than soap but doesn't have the grit like a compound,,, it kind of like a hand glazing compound. you can get meguires at any bigger name auto parts store

You will want to use a polish or wax to protect the area afterwards tho,,, body scrub will take the wax/polish off,, but not in a bad way

 

Clay bars work great for pulling dirt out.

 

I would try the clay bar first, but if you end up needing something slightly more abrasive I suggest you use 3M Finess-It II (the name changed a year or two ago, I think it is now called Perfect-It). This is what most body shops use in the final stages of polishing out a paint job after color sanding. 3M also has a full line of more powerful products as well.

 

Tried that Meguire's stuff, worked pretty good but need something a little stronger. How bad will compound mess the finish up. Or is ti better to use that clay bar stuff?

 

WD-40. Damn good cleaner.

 

You would have to try REAL hard to damage your paint with the 3M Perfect-It. It isn't real abrasive since it is the final compound before glaze. Heavier compounds will damage the paint more easily. Rubbing compound will leave swirls in your paint that even the Perfect-It won't remove, so if you use that plan on several steps to get them out.