How to Remove Cosmoline

bmwsloy · 10-03-2006, 01:00 PM

I picked up my 335i last night and I had the dealer not wash the car for me. I figured I wasn't too interested in having the swirl marks and scratches installed at the dealer. Anyway, there is a little cosmoline around the license plate and a few other places. Does anyone know any good way to get them off without resorting to anything too harsh. I tried Dawn last night with no luck. I'm sure PrepSol will take care of it, but it always scares me.

JackMac · 10-03-2006, 01:02 PM

I used rubbing alcohol on a soft cotton cloth (sparingly) then went back over the spot with a wax.

Paul330d · 10-03-2006, 01:29 PM

What's a cosmoline? Any pictures?

bmwsloy · 10-03-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackMac

I used rubbing alcohol on a soft cotton cloth (sparingly) then went back over the spot with a wax.

Thanks! Never even crossed my mind to try that. That's what I used to strip Zaino, so if it'll get that stuff off, it'll probably get anything off.

bmwsloy · 10-03-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

What's a cosmoline? Any pictures?

It's the funky crap they put on the cars when they ship that doesn't want to come off the back of my car.

thx1138 · 10-03-2006, 01:38 PM

Nooooo don't use rubbing alcohol! That'll strip the clear coat off your car.

Good choice not having the dealer wash or clean up the car. I never do, and although the sales rep thinks I'm crazy, not a scratch or swirl on any of my babies yet.

Use Zymol HDCleanse. It's awesome stuff, and cleans everything off the paint naturally.

http://www.zymol.com/hd2.htm

Also, use a hair dryer to heat the cosmoline up first, then gently rub on the HDCleanse. Wipe off gently with a soft, non-sized town or buffing cloth.

thx1138 · 10-03-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwsloy

It's the funky crap they put on the cars when they ship that doesn't want to come off the back of my car.

Well said!

Also, just so you know... the dealers usually remove the stuff in the detail shop with a horribly corrosive stripping agent. 1) That's bad for the paint in the first place, 2) They don't take their time removing the cosmoline like they should, and 3) You'll end up with somebody "buffing" the cosmoline off along with the clear coat. Ack!

therealm3 · 10-03-2006, 01:45 PM

Its a yellowish waxy substance that is put on to protect the car during shipping. it's a pain to get off if you let it sit for a long time. Just ask E30 guys about getting it off their motors....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

What's a cosmoline? Any pictures?

Paul330d · 10-03-2006, 01:53 PM

Oh right, thanks

picus · 10-03-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thx1138

Nooooo don't use rubbing alcohol! That'll strip the clear coat off your car.

What!? Rubbing alcohol will not strip the clear coat off a car. Factory paint is not solvent based and even if it were it's been baked. Detailers all over the world use alcohol and water to strip sealants, waxes, clean trim, remove polish residue, etc.

pander5 · 10-03-2006, 07:49 PM

Help me with a clarification please. Is what you are calling rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol? If so, I've used it for a while now to remove polish and fillers to see if I've removed swirls and scratches after buffing. Please don't tell me that's removing clearcoat!

JackMac · 10-03-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pander5

Help me with a clarification please. Is what you are calling rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol? If so, I've used it for a while now to remove polish and fillers to see if I've removed swirls and scratches after buffing. Please don't tell me that's removing clearcoat!

Yes, that's the stuff. I used it very sparingly, then went over the spot with a wax (not wax actually, but one of those zaino-like sealants).

picus · 10-03-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pander5

Help me with a clarification please. Is what you are calling rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol? If so, I've used it for a while now to remove polish and fillers to see if I've removed swirls and scratches after buffing. Please don't tell me that's removing clearcoat!

Rubbing alcohol = isopropyl alcohol. I've been using a 50/50 mix of isa/water to remove polish residue on cars for 10 years (over 1500 clients, over 3000 cars); it is *not* removing clearcoat. I am 100%, totally, unequivocally, bet my house on it, positive. Factory paint is not solvent based, you could let undiluted rubbing alcohol sit on it for a week and the worst it'll do is leave a stain like a waterspot.

Go to autopia, type "isa" in the search box, or "alcohol", and watch the hits come up. Every detailer I know uses the same solution to wipe away polish, strip sealants, clean trim, clean windows (it's even safe on tint), etc.

bmwsloy · 10-03-2006, 08:57 PM

Well, I struck out with the alcohol. I throughly soaked a microfiber towel and let it sit on the spot for about 20 seconds and then buffed it. I might have been afraid to push to hard.

I ended up using Einzett Metalic Polish and it worked great. I would have tried the hair dryer with the alcohol, but I was too lazy to get an extension cord out. Thanks again for all the ideas guys!

bavarian19 · 10-03-2006, 09:22 PM

get out and drive your car... it will be gone by 500 miles...

AW330i · 10-03-2006, 09:27 PM

I used warm water and it seemed to do the trick without having to use anything nasty...

Gearcraft · 10-04-2006, 03:40 AM

can the alcohol also be used to get rid of water spots?

sorry if its a little off-topic.

bmwsloy · 10-04-2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearcraft

can the alcohol also be used to get rid of water spots?

sorry if its a little off-topic.

Not sure if it will get rid of water spots because I've never tried. White vinegar has been what I've always been told to use.

picus · 10-04-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearcraft

can the alcohol also be used to get rid of water spots?

sorry if its a little off-topic.

Yes, and tree sap.

txusa03 · 10-04-2006, 02:16 PM

last time I check, waxy substance tends to melt with heat. leave car parked out in the sun and it will all melt away then use a regular car wash solution and you have a nice and clean looking car.

Gearcraft · 10-04-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

Yes, and tree sap.

cool. ive heard of vinegar but i dont really like the smell of vinegar especially if it gets on my hands.

thanks.

Brunotheboxer · 10-04-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

Yes, and tree sap.

+1

10-03-2006, 01:00 PM	#1
bmwsloy Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 - WK 38 Status 195 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wheeling, WV iTrader: (0)	How to Remove Cosmoline I picked up my 335i last night and I had the dealer not wash the car for me. I figured I wasn't too interested in having the swirl marks and scratches installed at the dealer. Anyway, there is a little cosmoline around the license plate and a few other places. Does anyone know any good way to get them off without resorting to anything too harsh. I tried Dawn last night with no luck. I'm sure PrepSol will take care of it, but it always scares me.
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10-03-2006, 01:02 PM	#2
JackMac Recovering BMW Addict 162 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: <OO (\|\|\|)(\|\|\|) OO> Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southeast PA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2010 MINI John Coop ... [9.66]	I used rubbing alcohol on a soft cotton cloth (sparingly) then went back over the spot with a wax.
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10-03-2006, 01:29 PM	#3
Paul330d Torque junky 124 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	What's a cosmoline? Any pictures? __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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10-03-2006, 01:38 PM	#6
thx1138 Private First Class 8 Rep 121 Posts Drives: '07 328 Coupe, '06 325, '05 X3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Nooooo don't use rubbing alcohol! That'll strip the clear coat off your car. Good choice not having the dealer wash or clean up the car. I never do, and although the sales rep thinks I'm crazy, not a scratch or swirl on any of my babies yet. Use Zymol HDCleanse. It's awesome stuff, and cleans everything off the paint naturally. http://www.zymol.com/hd2.htm Also, use a hair dryer to heat the cosmoline up first, then gently rub on the HDCleanse. Wipe off gently with a soft, non-sized town or buffing cloth. __________________ 2007 328xi Coupe: Space Gray on Black with Aluminum Sports Pack \| Winter Pack \| iDrive \| Comfort Access \| Bluetooth+Assist \| PDC
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10-03-2006, 01:53 PM	#9
Paul330d Torque junky 124 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Oh right, thanks __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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10-03-2006, 07:49 PM	#11
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 32 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Help me with a clarification please. Is what you are calling rubbing alcohol the same as isopropyl alcohol? If so, I've used it for a while now to remove polish and fillers to see if I've removed swirls and scratches after buffing. Please don't tell me that's removing clearcoat! __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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10-03-2006, 08:57 PM	#14
bmwsloy Enlisted Member 12 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 - WK 38 Status 195 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wheeling, WV iTrader: (0)	Well, I struck out with the alcohol. I throughly soaked a microfiber towel and let it sit on the spot for about 20 seconds and then buffed it. I might have been afraid to push to hard. I ended up using Einzett Metalic Polish and it worked great. I would have tried the hair dryer with the alcohol, but I was too lazy to get an extension cord out. Thanks again for all the ideas guys!
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10-03-2006, 09:22 PM	#15
bavarian19 General 558 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	get out and drive your car... it will be gone by 500 miles...
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10-03-2006, 09:27 PM	#16
AW330i Captain 87 Rep 876 Posts Drives: Alpine White 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0)	I used warm water and it seemed to do the trick without having to use anything nasty... __________________
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10-04-2006, 03:40 AM	#17
Gearcraft misadventurer 64 Rep 708 Posts Drives: bubbie mystic blue whale Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: candied island iTrader: (0)	can the alcohol also be used to get rid of water spots? sorry if its a little off-topic. __________________ 325i I SP
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10-04-2006, 02:16 PM	#20
txusa03 Major General 602 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	last time I check, waxy substance tends to melt with heat. leave car parked out in the sun and it will all melt away then use a regular car wash solution and you have a nice and clean looking car.
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