[hotrod2448]

Whenever my car is washed or gets rained on, I get these oily streaks from the bottoms of the doors, mirrors, etc... I'm unsure if they are cosmoline from shipping, some type of assembly lube or what, either way it looks like crap. It's obvious it is something being carried onto the paint by the water. I know from previous new cars that it decreases over time.

What I'd like to know is there a product or technique to decrease the time it takes to get rid of these streaks? In the past on darker colors it hasn't been as noticeable but, it's driving me crazy on the alpine white.

[hotrod2448]

I guess not?

I went around the car yesterday and wiped out the drain holes at the bottoms of the doors as best I can, hopefully that helps.

[TOGWT]

Cosmoline

[: is the trade name for a generic class of rust preventative. Cosmoline is similar to petroleum jelly in properties, appearance, and thickness it is the purified residue obtained from the distillation of petroleum oils]

Cosmoline is a viscous petroleum distillate used as a corrosion preventative and surface protectant usually used to protect engines and undercarriage bare metals from corrosion during vehicle shipment. It has a consistency similar to petroleum jelly and is formulated to adhere to nearly any surface even under extremely high or low temperatures and prolonged exposure to water.

It’s a protection that was used on imported new cars during shipment; it is applied to the paint film surface, engine and wheels to provide a barrier against exposure to the elements. Cosmoline is no longer used in the US as it is not environmentally sound, but it is still used on imports (BMW, Porsche, VW, Mercedes-Benz, etc); using a petroleum-based solvent to remove it can do irreversible harm to the vehicle finish.

By using a non-caustic, acid-free, d-Limonene (citrus) based, biodegradable cleaner (Wurth Citrus Based Solvent Degreaser or Zymöl Strik™ Cosmoline Remover and Engine Cleaner ) will avoid any damage and safely remove the Cosmoline, or any oils or grease that may have been applied for protection.

Most manufacturers now use plastic film and / or a blend of paraffin and synthetic waxes, but mainly paraffin.

[ScheerSpeed]

Swissvax Glacier wax is made to help with this

[SharpPointyStick]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

Whenever my car is washed or gets rained on, I get these oily streaks from the bottoms of the doors, mirrors, etc... I'm unsure if they are cosmoline from shipping, some type of assembly lube or what, either way it looks like crap. It's obvious it is something being carried onto the paint by the water. I know from previous new cars that it decreases over time.

What I'd like to know is there a product or technique to decrease the time it takes to get rid of these streaks? In the past on darker colors it hasn't been as noticeable but, it's driving me crazy on the alpine white.

I used to get this also...would get these streaks on the rocker panels, at the front door seams. Started right after taking the car to the dealer for some services, my thought is it was some grease on the door hinges or something.

[hotrod2448]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

Cosmoline

[: is the trade name for a generic class of rust preventative. Cosmoline is similar to petroleum jelly in properties, appearance, and thickness it is the purified residue obtained from the distillation of petroleum oils]

Cosmoline is a viscous petroleum distillate used as a corrosion preventative and surface protectant usually used to protect engines and undercarriage bare metals from corrosion during vehicle shipment. It has a consistency similar to petroleum jelly and is formulated to adhere to nearly any surface even under extremely high or low temperatures and prolonged exposure to water.

It’s a protection that was used on imported new cars during shipment; it is applied to the paint film surface, engine and wheels to provide a barrier against exposure to the elements. Cosmoline is no longer used in the US as it is not environmentally sound, but it is still used on imports (BMW, Porsche, VW, Mercedes-Benz, etc); using a petroleum-based solvent to remove it can do irreversible harm to the vehicle finish.

By using a non-caustic, acid-free, d-Limonene (citrus) based, biodegradable cleaner (Wurth Citrus Based Solvent Degreaser or Zymöl Strik™ Cosmoline Remover and Engine Cleaner ) will avoid any damage and safely remove the Cosmoline, or any oils or grease that may have been applied for protection.

Most manufacturers now use plastic film and / or a blend of paraffin and synthetic waxes, but mainly paraffin.

I wonder if citrus based cleaners would work on the parafin too?

[jsublime]

I regularly get these spots on my e82, by the front of the door and rear of the door. I used to sorta scrub down there with my regular soap (currently citrus w&g) and it kinda worked but now I use a degreaser like grime reaper and it's much eaiser. Of course I assume it takes off any protection but ohwell.