Hi

 

Okay, so I took my car to one of those hand car-wash places. I get home and I find two streaks of glue that have leaked down the door, staring from the horizontal trim. Also, I find a 2" square area where the paint has peeled off the door.

 

It looks like the trim came loose while they were washing the car and they tried to glue it back on. The glue has then leaked down the door. 

 

I tried to scrape the glue off but it removed some of the paintwork, so I stopped. This explains the 2" square area that I mentioned above - they must have got some glue on the door and scraped it off, thus removing the paintwork.

 

Needless to say, they deny all this.

 

Anyway, moving on, can anyone offer any advice on:

 

- how to remove the glue that has dripped down the door, without removing more paintwork, and

- how best to 'patch' up the 2" square area of damaged paintwork so that it doesn't spread/start to rust. I'm not after perfection, so no need for a re-spray, but it would be good to make it as decent as I can

 

Many thanks,

 

Si

Another reason to never use these car washes!!!

 

'Chips Away' will be your best bet or for more money a Bodyshop

http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/local/cumbria/kendal/

Good luck

Depends on the type of glue - there are so many different types. 

What does it look like? Colour? Texture?  Smell?

Irrelevant if getting it painted

Hi, was after a do-it-yourself option if possible...

 

No idea what sort of glue it is. Its an off white colour and has a hard texture like superglue. It has no smell as far as I tell.

You'll need to get the right solvent for the glue.

 

Since it's a bodge it'll probably be something common so might well be superglue (Cyanoacrylate).

 

Acetone might help and shouldn't damage the paint. You do get commercial superglue removers (debonder) but you'd have to be careful with the paintwork.

Irrelevant if getting it painted

Keep up Chris! - he has the stuff on his trim too.

 

 

Are we talking the rubbing strip first of all?  Is it the painted type or just textured plastic?

 

Probably best to start with the least hazardous option, have you tried a good soak with water?  Perhaps tape a damp compress across the affected part.  Given time water will work wonders, sometimes.  Will work on most superglue.

 

Next step up could be petrol/lighter fuel.  H&S alert.

 

I would try applying with a cotton bud or similar first and test an inconspicuous area first.

 

If you have to go to a solvent like acetone, then extra careful as you are now into stuff which could cause damage, but should work on contact type adhesive.  Again try to be as controlled as possible, mask off the paintwork.

For gaffa tape, masking tape type adhesive, then I find WD40 or white spirit works well.

Both are quite passive on paintwork.

You have to be careful with acetone, or cellulose thinners as it dissolves some plastics, and if you accidentally get it on clear plastic lenses, then the surface goes opaque ...

Petrol is generally fine, as it is also the main ingredient of some tar removers.

Again, as with any solvent, take the usual H&S precautions, and wear suitable gloves, as the solvent could help to pass the nasties into your skin.

Tip:-

You can always remove a piece of inner plastic trim, and practice on any small area of exposed paint.

I must admit, I never use an automated car wash, or bob a job charity wash, or wash while you shop.

Ask yourself this question..

If they drop the sponge onto the floor, do they discard it, rinse it in the wash water or pick it up and continue washing the car, grit and all? I think we all know the answer to this one, BUT what would you do?

The problem with these places, they don't have copious amounts of water to rinse the dirt off before they swirl it around with a sponge on your paintwork... Now where did those swirl marks come from?

Now in Germany, they often wash cars without water... How does that work?

No Idea, but sounds a good trick if you can pull it off!

 

Staying at my sisters place in Frankfurt before heading off to southern France, the newly waxed car got COVERED in bird poop.

So off to find a car wash.  The Hanauer Landstrasse is Frankfurt's car show room mile and there are several.  I chose the one with easiest access.  Mr Wasche Autowasche - you can't miss it, just by the A661/Hanauer interchange.  They also sell cheap fuel.

 

For €4, the car got a pre soak where a guy sprayed the dirtiest bit, I think he used a days supply on the mess.  Next through a rinse gantry, before going though a typical brush thing with a blow job to finish.  One of the females came up and polished up  the glass which was now nice and clean. 

I thought it was very decent value.  I could have had someone vac the inside too, but I'd completely cleaned the car the weekend before.

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