Cosmoline removal

tuscarora dave

tuscarora dave

"Luck" Residue of design
Any detailers here worked at a dealership? If so, can you tell me anything about the products and process involved in the removal of cosmoline? Additionally what parts of a new car would you typically find cosmoline on?
 
The only time I have ever heard of it used on vehicles is the military.

It is great for long term storage but I don't think any current car company is using it.
 
Dave I just got your message. Ill give you a call tomorrow if that's ok. All my years in dealerships I've rarely came across it. At the new Chevy and RV dealership, the frames were coated in something but I wasn't to bother it. When new cars came in, I just removed the plastic, washed them, installed antennas and such, and parked them. Dealing with new cars is usually as gravy as it gets.
 
Ford & Pontiac used alot of Cosmoline back in the 80's & 90's to protect the car from transit contaminants. Basically this was the in thing to do prior to the plastic wrapping OEM's use now. Each car would come with a small bottle of "Cosmoline Remover" that you'd basically add to water and soak the car with. It would have a really strong chemical smell but did the job of eating the coating. Thing is that it would be a little sticky and would hold debris making it even greater for the hacks @ the dealers to marr the vehicles up.

Are you running into Cosmoline these days?? Body Shops use a similar product to protect the vehicle from getting overspray on it: http://sw.formulaexpress.com/media/PDS/English/5708.pdf
 
David Fermani said:
...Each car would come with a small bottle of "Cosmoline Remover" that you'd basically add to water and soak the car with. It would have a really strong chemical smell but did the job of eating the coating...
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I would have never guessed that a water based solvent would remove Cosmoline.

Mineral spirits is about the least caustic solvent I have found that would actually get the job done.
 
The last time I say cosmoline is when I bought an NOS shortblock from GM in the 80's. I spent 2 days cleaning with lacquer thinner and even a steam cleaner and ended up taking it to a machine shop to remove it.

I know its not much help but where are you seeing anyone using or anything that has cosmoline on it now a days???
 
BMW uses it also when they ship cars.

It weeps out of the rocker panels and mirrors forever..........

I've used APC to get it. Seems to do alright, but it comes back when the sun gets hot.
 
David Fermani said:
Are you running into Cosmoline these days??
Click to expand...

Thanks to all of you who replied to this thread. No I am not seeing cosmoline anywhere. I had been looking over a site of a local dealership supplier and saw cosmoline remover. I had also in the past heard dealer prep guys talk about the use of cosmoline and the need as a detailer for a dealership to remove it.

I saw a local opportunity that I am thinking about pursuing that would have me working with new cars at a dealership and thought they perhaps still used this stuff. I am one to do a bit of homework or research before going into a new venture so I have just been poking around getting some information.

David, the Toyota link that you sent may be of interest to me though being that Toyotas would be the brand of cars that I would be detailing. I'll be reading that next. Thanks
 
tuscarora dave said:
Any detailers here worked at a dealership? If so, can you tell me anything about the products and process involved in the removal of cosmoline? Additionally what parts of a new car would you typically find cosmoline on?
Click to expand...

I worked at a Dodge Dealer as a summer job a long long time ago and was the new car prep guy/wash after service guy. We used a product called Afta-Leene. I think it is still around as Afta. Comes in a metal gallon. You can probably get it in an auto body supply. Careful as it removed all LSP as well.
 
Ronkh said:
BMW uses it also when they ship cars.

It weeps out of the rocker panels and mirrors forever..........
Click to expand...
You're not actually seeing this on the exterior panels of the car are you?

This is most likely Body Cavity Wax/Grease that many European OEMs use. On hot days it tends to spew out.

Cavity Wax
 
David Fermani said:
You're not actually seeing this on the exterior panels of the car are you?

This is most likely Body Cavity Wax/Grease that many European OEMs use. On hot days it tends to spew out.

Cavity Wax
Click to expand...

My old ravegreen GTI spewed the cosmoline for the 8 years i had it. It would drip from out of the doors on to the door sills and down the rockers turning into a black mess down the rockers. WD40 as much as i hate using it on automotive surfaces followed by APC is the few things that cut through it with any speed.
 
David Fermani said:
You're not actually seeing this on the exterior panels of the car are you?

This is most likely Body Cavity Wax/Grease that many European OEMs use. On hot days it tends to spew out.

Cavity Wax
Click to expand...

Reading your link, it seems like this product is an aftermarket item.

As far as the BMW borads/forums say, what we see is cosmoline. (for what it's worth)
 
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