Charles's 2.1 SD Manual (formerly Citroenxm's)

[xantia_v6]

You may find a solvent that dissolves the dots but does not affect the factory paint. My XM had a lot off patches of overspray, some matching the colour of the car, others not. I found that nail polish remover worked well in this role, but was much more effective if bought in france than UK, perhaps a higher proportion of acetone?

[Dieselman]

Petrol might work.

[russ92xmsed]

Halfords do a good cheap rubbing compound that might work.

[kingp]

Would a cutting compound on a Dual Action polisher be a better way to get them off maybe or a claybar?

[xantia_v6]

Anything abrasive will also be wearing away the surrounding clear coat, so will tend to leave a lumpy finish.

[Dieselman]

Depending on what type of paint it is dictates the product to use on it. If water based soak it with a cloth soaked in how soapy water, if oil based possibly some light oil like primrose oil might work well.

[Charles M]

Good progress to report - gentle wet mist overnight and all the dots that are wet come off much more easily, whereas those on plastic or are dry remain a pain. The bonnet and sides are now much clearer, it's seeing all the thousands of little dots that is the problem rather than removing them. I'm glad it's relatively mild, I'd hate to be scrubbing away on a cold day. The aim is to get the car clayed and waxed before the end of the week, as winter is coming and a layer of protection is beneficial. As the starlings are raiding my vine all the time now (with attendant after effects) this is going to be long drawn out!

Range Rover mats fit the front ok, but the rears are completely sculpted to go round the side of the rear seats that they won't even begin to fit, so not a perfect solution

The car is being waxoyled on Wednesday - any areas that are worthy of extra effort underneath?

[MTXM]

You are making good progress Charles and in my experience the only accessible areas that need rustproofing underneath are the front and rear subframes and anti-roll bars and the insides of the sills, especially at the ends. It is unusual for the floorplan to rust due to the very heavy coat of factory underseal applied, although the rear section tight against the bumper can suffer quite badly. With regards, Matthew T.

[kingp]

I've found cutting the tree away above the car to be the best solution to bird based issues

That or an air rifle and provide the local feline population with some natural nutrition

[Charles M]

It's a mob of about 50 starlings that descend, strip the vine and then fly off rapidly. I'd need a large blunderbuss to have any chance!