K-A

I noticed this on my 2010 E, which got a much more warm-yellow tone as time went on, and then when i got my 2011 E, I noticed how much "whiter" it looked. I owned my 2010 for just 1 year and my 2011 is just past the 1 year mark, and I'm noticing the same dynamic.

I actually like it, as the hue is still very white in sunlight, but the creaminess just gives it more depth and warmth than I've seen from any other white, especially in different lightings. I'm just wondering if it's by design, or a technical flaw, or what the reasoning is (maybe improper care? I wash and wax my car regularly enough, though I haven't clayed it yet).

ImInPA

This should not be occurring. The actual color resides below a clear coat. If the color is "warming", would actually suspect that it is surface contaminates. A good exterior detail should correct this issue.

K-A

I've started to notice this with a lot of Arctic Whites.

I.e, I can pretty much spot a new off-the-lot example pretty easily, as the white will be more "white". Usually when I do, I check the rear plate and it turns out I was right (dealer plate). Maybe it's my style of exterior maintenance or something, but it from my experience seems like how the A.White works.

thekurgan

You may have some embedded deposits in the form of rust and other pollen. Rust can easily be removed with products like Iron-X shampoo or the spray. It will turn the rust reddish and wash away. I use it before claying. You are probably due for a complete paint correction by a detailer as well as you're approaching 2+ years on the clear coat.

K-A

Yeah, paint correction is in store if I for whatever reason feel the urge to pay about 20% over fair market value when my Lease is up and buy my car out (as much as I like to frivolously spend money on my car, I just gotta hold myself back from extensive paint correction at least during the Lease period).

My car certainly looks SUPER clean from a face value standpoint, people always comment on that and I'm very into keeping it tip top to the best of my abilities. Being white, I get spoiled as you really don't need to do much else but wipe the dust off, not to mention surfaces scuffs don't really show.

However, perhaps these embedded particles are subtle by way of not being noticeable at face value, but help the paint "warm" or "yellow", or if I want to be fancy about it, "cream".

MB500

I've had similar experience with my white car getting more yellowish or "cream" undertone. It was easily corrected with hand wash and claying. The color returned back to normal. I think it's all of deposits and pollen that get build up on top of the clear coat over time.

jvc300

Any chance it could a wax build up? Have you tried a clay bar as suggested by MB500? I've used them on black and the results are amazing..

Yosheego

hmm...I mean you do wax and wash your car regularly. Maybe you can strip the wax with Dawn and see, but I really doubt it. Do you notice this on your whole car or just maybe some parts of the car?

ghstudio

I've had my arctic white e for about a year now and as far as I can see, there hasn't been any change. I look at the inside of the trunk or hood vs the car exterior and can't see a difference.

thekurgan

Dawn works for the paint, but utterly destroys the rubber and outer plastics. Maybe try the Chemical Brothers Citrus wash.

Yosheego

Really? I didn't know that! I mean it's not like I do it all the time, but yeh, thanks for letting me know and others!

For **** and giggles, I do this on the side...still learning though.

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...-progress.html

ImInPA

Using blue Dawn for over 25 years, I have never had any issue with Dawn causing any damage at all to plastics and/or rubber. This is just BS!!! Not sure where this information came from, but, it is just wrong.

thekurgan

I've been detailing for 32 years, depending on how your car is kept, its exposure to UV, dawn will take its toll as it is a harsh dispersant. It is not BS, in fact, it's not all that great at stripping wax and the LSP. Citrus wash works far better, followed by clay. You can research yourself: <plug search engine here>

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...w=1103&bih=728

K-A

I'm gonna wax it up today and see if it's just a heavy layer of dirt (been neglecting the car 'cause been busy lately and out of town, etc.) that was making it seem so, to me.

Aside from that, could indeed be wax buildup. I remember when I clayed my 2010 E it was like I could actually visualize the removing of some grey/brown color. 11+ hours it took me to do that car (first clay ever and I'm a detail freak so there you have it). I should have just kept it for that time invested alone.

ImInPA

I will grant you that UV wreaks havoc on plastic and rubber. Not Dawn. I regularly purchase from Autogeek, and I know the sales drill. I just choose not to drink the kool-aid. Blue Dawn is simply fantastic stripping old built up waxes and silicones from the finish. It has not damaged the rubber or plastic components in my garbage disposal either and I have had it much longer than any car I have owned.

thekurgan

You mean the rubber in your sink, that which is designed to withstand drain cleaner (lye), heat, citrus acid? Oh, and dawn .... smh

ImInPA

Yes. The very same rubber on my E that is designed to withstand UV rays and harsh auto-carwash detergents and acid rain and atmospheric contaminates and petroleum distillates and road salts, etc. I am not saying there aren't more effective product, I am simply saying that Dawn is a great product and is not going to harm anything on your car. I respect your opinion and believe you are entitled to it. You just can't invent your own facts. Peace.

hyperion667

my teeth have become more yellow-Y over time......LOL

K-A

2 words:

White Out.

rjm

I've seen this before on white cars. Do you park your car outside or in a garage? Sunlight and environment will dull a white finish. I think MB500 made a valid point:

Claying should restore the original color.

steelgrey

K-A before waxing I would use a paint cleaner. Klasse All in one is a well known product and has a loyal following. It's a wipe on wipe off product so it doesn't require the effort of claying. For those of us who detail. I would use a polish like Menzerna ultra-finishing polish (providing the paint is swirl free) with a grey pad on an orbital buffer before waxing/sealing. Polishing the paint to a high gloss prior to waxing is key to a great shine.

jvc300

+1...

K-A

My car is always garaged, so it's definitely not a UV issue I'd think. I did just wax the car and I guess I was looking at it dirty for too long 'cause it sure looks "whiter".

Thanks for the advice on the paint cleaner. Definitely something I'll use next time. Claying is just too consuming and time demanding so if it's kind of like a half-a$$ed clay but with much less effort, I will give it a go.

thekurgan

Do the plastic bag test if you don't feel you need to clay. You may not need to clay. It is time consuming but worth it, even claying the glass, you'd be surprised what slams into the windshield.

K-A

Oh yeah. On my 2010, I clayed all the glass, every inch of that car, the Pano, etc. Couldn't believe all the bronze color that was coming off of EVERYTHING.

Lucky for me my Mom decided to lean up against my car today when I came to see her, with jeans that have stones on the butt end.... two nice surface scratch lines that I get to try and get out. She's lucky she gave me life!