I've noticed this on my car a couple weeks ago, tried washing it off when I normally wash my car, but that didn't get it off. I tried to ignore it, but not only does it catch my eye everytime I walk by, but guess what? There's ANOTHER one of these one the other side of the car!

I have no clue what this could possibly be, but it definitely looks like some kind of film or residue left over from maybe a glue or adhesive. Again, no clue how these could have gotten here. These are the best pictures I could get of it (phone pics)




I've managed to get SOME of it off with scrubbing with a sponge, but that does leave very faint scuff marks. Rather try to take this off as clean as possible.

 

Can you feel it on the surface? Try not to rub it off, your only going to introduce swirls and scratches. Leta chemical dissolve whatever it is. Almost looks like residue from a bumper sticker. What, if any, products do you have at home? A paint cleaner or light polish would be a good first step.

 

Yeah when I run my finger over it, I can definitely feel it. It does feel like it could be some sort of film left over from an adhesive. Maybe from a sticker like you said, but I definitely don't put stickers on my car (just to clear myself)

Well most of what I have is just car wash stuff. However for what it's worth, I do have some Goo Gone. I've heard that stuff clears away the glue from the badges, so... maybe?

 

liquid wax always (almost) does the trick.

Not sure what you have there. I removed a bumper sticker years ago and it looked like what you have there. Used a bit of wax and the glue stuff was rubbed off quite easily.

 

Wax dissolving adhesive ??WTF use some mineral spirits

 

WD-40 works on adhesives as well. Waxes will work as well, as they contain petroleum distillates.

 

looks like tape or something thats been left on for awhile... i have those marks on my house windows preping for the storm back then

 

^ i was going to say...wow those must be some crazy storms. then i saw texas and it all made sense.

 

Don't use a strong solvent (mineral spirits = paint thinner) try to find 3M Adhesive Remover as its a 'safe' solvent

 

Mineral spirits in not really a strong solvent it is used in paint thinning but not stripping! It is perfectly safe for clear coat finishes I use it all the time to remove overspray. Adhesive remover will work too though

 

I agree on this one .. Mineral spirits is not reducer/paint thinner as such for auto paint but Mineral Spirits has the same basic properties as oil based paint thinner. It is a petroleum distillate with an evaporation rate similar to turpentine (relatively slow), and is an excellent general purpose solvent.

It is used for thinning oil based paints, cleaning brushes and tools, and degreasing metal parts.


I have been using this for years to remove tar etc from cars and never any issues at all.

 

OP is your car new? Or did that show up well after you have owned it?

To me that looks like residue left over from that film they use in shipping.

 

Use some goo gone or 3M adhesive remover looks like glue

 

I bought the car used, and these were definitely not on the car when I bought it. Whenever I'd wash the car, I'd give it a hard look-over, make sure I didn't miss any spots. These seemed to appear recently. I have really no clue how these got on my car. My only guess would be that someone is messing with my car...

I might try some goo gone this weekend.