Help w/ VW Jetta sludge on doors

[gs300guy]

Hi Guys,

My girlfriend has a '99.5 VW Jetta. This car leaks some kind of sludge from the doors onto the lower part of the car when it gets hot outside. She keeps the car reasonably well but has been unable to remove this sludge using normal washing techniques. I am told it is some kind of anti-rust substance used to seal the doors. By this time I would guess it's at least a half-inch thick. Any suggestions on how to remove it?

Thanks!

-GS300Guy

[DavidB]

I'd contact a dealer first to find out what the substance really is. It sounds like a manufacturing issue. If so, the work should be covered under warranty.

If it is anti corrosion material, use a product like P21s Total Auto Wash or Eimann Fabric Hi-Intensity to cut it.

db

[k91]

It is an anti-rust chemical they spray in the frame. Check out www.vwvortex.com and read all about it. Happens to all MKIV owners I think

[lyz2828]

its cosmoline--I'm sure that I'm spelling it wrong. It should wipe off w/ a rag. If it has gotten all hard, try softening it w/ a hairdryer. Any of the paint safe solvents work well--but goofoff seems to work best (I've used it on "snot"!)

[joed1228]

Goof Off took the paint off of my first cars wheel wells. I am wicked scared of using that stuff on ANY surface on ANYTHING that I own.

I would try Tarminator. It removes tar, sap, bugs and most of the crud you would normally deal with.

[lyz2828]

it's true goof off is no toy--but they have a VW, and I have a VW, so I thought the paints might be similar in resisting the stuff. If you use the strong stuff, wipe w/ a damp rag so no residue is left on the paint!

I also didn't have any trouble getting the cosmoline off of my paint..so maybe tornado red is radioactive or something.

[joed1228]

Originally posted by lyz2828
it's true goof off is no toy--but they have a VW, and I have a VW, so I thought the paints might be similar in resisting the stuff. If you use the strong stuff, wipe w/ a damp rag so no residue is left on the paint!

I also didn't have any trouble getting the cosmoline off of my paint..so maybe tornado red is radioactive or something.

:-) I hear ya. I just thought it would be better to suggest a product that works without as much risk's you know. Better off than them coming back and saying they used it the wrong way and screwed up their paint.

I would make sure you tell them how to use it and how you used it along with expected results. I know it took the paint off my fender weels because I used too much pressure and rubbed it too long. You should of seen the look on my face man, I was pissed off to the point where I was going to order that part new but I got rid of the Saturn not too long after that happended.

Well, have fun getting that crap off your paint, once it's off I would apply some wax or better yet; sealent to make cleaning that area of the car much easier in the future.