The Most Stubborn Oil Stains I Have Ever Seen

[Sol32]

Hey guys

Ive managed to get some kind of oil based substance to stain my passenger and rear quarter windows, resulting in some bloody ugly and obvious streaking. It could be any of the following things: WD-40, Car Polish, Cut & Polish, Wheel cleaner... maybe something else but I cant remember. Lesson here? Fkng use clean cloths when you wipe your windows!

Anyway - ive tried the following to take it off, with alot of bloody elbow grease:

-Hi Pressure water jet

-Turps

ACETONE (How this didn't work is beyond me)

Finally i resorted to a tiny piece of 2000 grit sandpaper in the bottom corner to see if it really was removable at all, and turns out it is. With the water I dipped the paper in it turned into that bluey pinky reflective oil colour, telling me whatever is on there is oil based. I cant take sandpaper to the whole window though, thats just asking for trouble. Nothing else will phase it though, it just wont budge!

Is there anyone with a bit of know how able to shed some light on something I can try? Would a glass co. like OBriens have some kind of wacky polish to get it off I wonder.. I remember them saying a while ago that they can't polish curved glass... any thoughts? I'd really love to NOT have to replace these windows...

Thanks in advance!

Andrew

Edited May 29, 2008 by Sol32

[75coupe]

I wouldn't be using acetone or sandpaper thats for sure...

vinegar and newspaper to clean your windows...

or to remove crap use some metho... I clean glass and panels with metho before applying vinyl graphics to be sure the surface is free from oil, dust & grease...

[gersfan]

I think someone posted something very similar a while ago, they resorted to acctually changing the window but surely their is some way to get rid of it.

[Rekin]

Does it look similar to my problem?

I took it to Protech carcare, which used some solvent which removed the obvious colouring but it was still there, especially when sun reflect off it.

Final Inspection says they can remove it, I think they mentioned polishing the windows.

[75coupe]

wow that is some hefty staining or something...

If they are just going to polish it use some cutting compound on it, go crazy on it...

Does it look similar to my problem?

I took it to Protech carcare, which used some solvent which removed the obvious colouring but it was still there, especially when sun reflect off it.

Final Inspection says they can remove it, I think they mentioned polishing the windows.

[DECIM8]

Go buy some polish and a buffer... Hit your windows..

Maquires paint cleaner works on almost anything and then you can also use Auto glym window polish (which is shit IMO) I have similar wet spots but they cannot be removed. will need to buff them out.

[Levi_]

My brother is a tinter and to get old tint off they use very fine steel wool. Doesn't make a scratch on the glass surface, but peels glue, tint and other gunk away pretty awesomely, maybe try something like that?

[Sol32]

My brother is a tinter and to get old tint off they use very fine steel wool. Doesn't make a scratch on the glass surface, but peels glue, tint and other gunk away pretty awesomely, maybe try something like that?

I'd say that sounds like the most plausible way of getting it off - is this by hand or with a buffer? Also where stocks it?

[Sol32]

Well, NO go on the steel wool -although that stuff is mega-handy when it comes to cleaning anodization off stuff in the engine bay...