I know exactly what you're talking about.

It looks like little specs and you can really on tell they're there when you get close. Otherwise it just looks like the car's a little dirty right?

I had that on my silver RSX-S and could not get it out for the life of me. It was in my previous non-OCD life though, so all I ever tried was wax

I was told that it was from a tree and was a mixture of sap and pollen. They said that whatever tree it came from was "sick" and that the pollen was somewhat toxic, which is why it embedded. I wish I had thought about this more the first time you posted. Sorry not to have the answer, but at least I can assure you you're not crazy...

 

Have you ever noticed how yellow the paint is near some people's fuel door? I don't think that was from the rain you know.

A tiny little dribble is one thing (but I would clean it up because gas can stain paint as I mentioned above). Rubbing a gas soaked rag on your paint is whole other story though. All you need is your idiot neighbor coming over to chat with a lit cigarette in his hand and . . . well you won't be happy about it. Maybe you kick the can over by accident, I don't know. My point is there are safer less flamable alternatives to use.

 

I used Zaino Claybar this weekend.

I am convinced. It worked miracles on my '93 Prelude and I got most of the sap with it too.

 

Clay bars are a great detailing tool!! Here's a tip though all detailing clay and I do mean all detailing clay is made in the same factory in Japan. The distributor simply dicatates to the manufacturer abrasive level and color. So, it's OK to shop by price with clay because it's all pretty much the same.

 

did my dad's avalon this weekend and it had sap all over it - beleive it or not the pearl paint did get etched - i used stoners Tarminator to remove it however the sap did eat the paint