Need help cleaning oil off hood/side/windows
 

I was driving along the freeway and began to pass an 18 wheeler. Apparently the 18 wheeler was leaking oil and the oil dripped down to his tires which made it splatter all over my windshield, hood, and left side.

I was reading a page that said to clay bar it, but I was pretty sure you shouldn't until you wash your car which would get oil on my cloth + smear it all over my car. Some other people said to use dishwashing soap which I was pretty sure would be too abrasive. Another guy said he uses Soft Scrub which sounds like the craziest thing I've heard yet. He said he's used it a bunch of times. This was on a bimmer forum so who knows. The last thing I've heard was to use WD-40 and/or gasoline. These all sound kinda shady and I trust the advice on this forum so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Micro fiber+ goo gone. Than wash car or wipe it dry after goo gone works like a charm

Dish washing soap too abrasive? People dish soap their cars all the time to strip it of old wax etc. Dish soap should work just fine, just know you won't have any wax left on your car after you use it.

Car washing soap, warm water and some elbow grease should eventually take the oil off.


humfrz

Where do I buy this stuff you speak of? "elbow grease"

So, it is a grease that degreases? Sounds amazing! :respekt:

Edit:
Google says it used to be more readily available. I guess it is kind of rare now. :sigh:

Ok, so what if i had my car opticoated? Any knowledge of dishwashing soap and opticoat?

Won't hurt it. There seems to be an odd fear of dish soap on here. It contains detergent that will strip wax yes but it will not harm any other coating in any way. It is meant for washing dishes that you eat off of and is not some sort of interstellar acid or strange paint eroding mystery chemical.
It is however very, very good at removing oils and grease since that is exactly what it is designed for.

Well, yes, elbow grease was widely used before electric buffers became so popular.

Everybody has some of it ...... sometimes it's never used ....... other folks have used it all up.

My elbow grease is almost all used up, but I refuse to use an electric buffer ..... that's the reason washing and waxing my car is a week long job ..... :sigh:


humfrz

Try WD40

yeah, my car is opticoated. It won't hurt it.
I'm actually considering using dish soap soon on mine, because I also had some kind of grease/oil splatter on my front fender.

I'm sure you can pay some kid you can trust 20 dollars to wash your car. Just make sure he does it right.

http://fanaru.com/gran-torino/image/...ran-torino.gif



*I don't advocate holding the poor kid at gunpoint while washing your car. Just throwing that option out there :D

Dawn=ftw

WWAD?
@Ammunition :D

Haha, oh Mr Maroon.

@OP - I would first try to give the car a thorough washing as you normally would.

I haven't ever had oil streaks in larger areas, but what I have always used when I find smaller streaks here and there (especially when driving through rain after it hasn't rained in awhile) would be Eraser by CarPro; it's completely safe for all surfaces (paint, trim, etc), and has worked wonders in removing tire lube, and similar oils. It's meant for removing polishes that I would think are at least as persistent, if not more so than the oil from the truck.

If that didn't work, or you don't want to order it (I love CarPro's products), then there are two other things that I would consider using.

Before I purchased Eraser, I got a bad spot of oil on the back of my driver-side mirror. No amount of quick detailer nor my regular car soap would get rid of it, so I thought to use a residual oil remover that is actually meant as a camera-lens cleaner which I had to purchase for one my Photography classes - amazingly, it worked perfectly; it took the oil out without issue or any notable draw-backs. That was on a clear-bra surface though - I can't say if it's paint safe, or not.

You could also try utilizing a 3M adhesive remover (can be purchased at Autozone). It was recommended to my by my trusted, long-time detailer; it's paint-safe, and has worked well in removing things like tree sap, etc.

That would be what I would try - obviously if you want to try any of that, use it entirely at your own risk and test in an inconspicuous location first; work in only small areas at a time, etc - GL.


http://i.imgur.com/bmZXGA5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Stislbj.jpg

Thanks, Ammo! You're the best.