So i was cleaning my car for the first time this weekend when I looked inside the bonnet only to find this wierd dried up sticky fluid all over the inside of the bonnet. I'm not sure what it is, but it's primarily on the sides of the car, both sides. it got in almost nook and cranny. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks sort of like the fluild in the brake fluid resevoir. Anybody have any idea what it is? Should I be worried?

 

Pretty sure that's just some kind of waxy residue from the production process. I asked my MA what it was, and Julie gave me the residue answer. I just cleaned it up and went on my way.

 

I forget the name of the stuff but it is a kind of grease or something they apply to cars that are shipped by boat.

Protects from salt water and stuff.

 

Heh!

It is Cosmoline. You can remove it using Zymol Strik engine cleaner. It is used to protect the engine from salt spray and salty air. Of course I could have said it was dried Racoon pee... Yeah, having a racoon problem in our neighborhood this fall!

 

I wanted to make a "don't eat the yellow snow" joke, but I have the same stuff on my car!

 

Yes, as stated, it's Cosmoline, a wax based anti-corrosion coating that is pressure blown into all the cavities and underneath the car. It's used by virtually all manufacturers now.

The British version, Waxoyl was the first to offer it many years ago. It's still in production and can be purchased in litres for auto restorations. I use it a lot on my projects.
It can be removed/cleaned with any number of solvents.

 

phew! was a little worried it was some sort of problem or that it would be constantly dirtying my inside. thanks for the info, I cleaned up most of it, but will get to the rest a little bit later. Sadly a bit got in between the space between my headlights and the body of the car, I think i'm going to have to go in with a q-tip to get at that spot.

 

Thanks for the info. you guys! I have the same yellow ick and was wondering what it was...:smile:

Chow!

Donna

 

There are also reports of Cosmoline dripping out of the rear wiper/washer unit onto the boot. Get it off as fast as possible or it will stain--it did on my 05. Jimbo