Landscaping co sprayed nasty stuff on car - how to get it off?

MikeMidd · 09-03-05, 05:36

Hey guys - newbie here, was sent this way from the Mazda6 forum, at the advice that you guys would be the experts on this one:

I take the subway to work every day, and yesterday morning, left my car in a spot in my apartment complex at the end of a row - normally a good spot cause you are less likely to get dinged on one side. There were landscapers working at the complex, I guess, because the car was clean when I left but when I came back last night, there was awful stuff streaked all over my car, mostly running from the front passenger side over top to the rear (but completely covering the trunk too). It must've sat there all day on the car, because it's dried on. At first, it just looked like dirty water streaks, or really, like the dirty streaks you get in winter when you drive a car fast through salty slush/snow - that sorta dried milk look. So I hit the windshield washers to at least get it off the windsield, and the wipers chattered over this stuff, and it didn't go away. AT ALL.

I went to a gas station and tried to use a squeegee, that didn't take it off either. I then tried to get it off of the windows using Windex stuff and Fantastik stuff, and even that didn't take it off! (I didn't use any of that on the paint, I know that'll screw up the paint.) When I use my finger or use a paper towel, nothing comes off - it's not like there is dirt on the car that comes off on your finger, whatever it is seems to be totally dried on there.

I have NO idea what the heck the stuff is, and the property management company is trying to get in touch with the landscaping company to figure it out. I'm assuming that it's lime or sulpher or some pesticide or something, which would make sense for landscaping, but maybe other stuff mixed in. The suggestions I've gotten have been to try dish soap like Palmolive or Dawn, to see if that takes it off; I'm also going to try taking it to the dealer, just to see if they have any thoughts. But I figured I'd check here too.

Thanks guys for any help you've got.

Terran · 09-03-05, 05:51

Don't take it to the dealer. Their detailer's are generally bad. Find out what it is from the landscapers. I'd say try as hard as possible to get them to agree to pay a pro to take care of it. You might be able to find somebody here...that would be you best bet for finding a competent detailer. You could try detailing clay and/or a bug and tar remover. Good luck!!!