I bought a 2008 Rav4 about 6 months ago. Now, where I live is extremely hard water and i'm surrounded by trees with very little sunlight. i'm not sure if thats what caused this or something else did but these spots appear to be UNDER the paint. Its completely smooth where the spots are and at a glance they look like water spots but it appears to have ruined the paint. Would hard water have caused this or could it be something else...perhaps bird poo??

 

Something toxic landed on there!

 

I have seen tree sap do that

 

Could be sap, all types of crap come off the trees and land on our cars. I try to wash them a minimum of once a week but stuff gets on them daily. One tree is a cherry tree. I've had some sundried cherries on there before but they didn't leave a mark. the other problem is the rav4 sits in the driveway all week, we ride together and take my car.

is there anything i can do to fix the spots?

 

Start with a light grade polish. All it can really do is take some of the rough edges away, making is a little less visible. As you can tell from the pics, the clear coat is ever so slightly damaged.
You may also be able to fill it with a glaze for temp recovery.

 

At first, i thought it was smooth but after lightly dragging my fingernail across the spots i believe you are right, its in the clear coat. i've got optimum compound, polish and poliseal. You are saying to try the polish correct? if so, which pad, i've got white, orange and green pads. funny thing is, i've used the UDM i bought from ya only twice and its been a year

thanks again.

 

Ya might want to tackle those by hand? (One of the few times I suggest handwork) I mean they're so isolated, I would rather see you repair somewhat individually.
However, if you persist, go with the white or Orange pads. Dark color cars can tend to lighten up a little if over zealous with "spot" repairs.
Then get some protection on full time, and keep it 24/7 to avoid these mishaps!

 

i guess its the season for tree sap.
for the last month. everyday i get about 10-20 drops of tree saps. and have to wash my car every 3-4 days.

 

Out west here, when the cooler weather sets in, we get a decrease in sap falling. Maybe the same in your woods?

 

I tried to polish them by hand, didn't seem to make a difference at all

 

A little more aggressive polish?

 

ahh good point, all i tried was liquid glass..

i guess i could try optimum compound or the polish?

 

Yeah, go for a more abrasive polish