About 2 weeks ago I noticed greenish/brown colored stains on my bumper, and on the wheel wells. On both sides. It looks like it was coming from the engine bay. I tried to clean it off with armorall, and regular car wash soap, but it didn't come off. So I took it to the dealer to ask and see what it was. The guy told me it was some sort of anti rust spray that the car sprays on the engine when it gets too hot. I just wanted to see if anybody else was experiencing this, and if so how did they get it off.

 

Yes, I am getting that also. Right near the front edge of the bonnet. I haven't been able to get it off yet. I've just been scrubbing a lot on the plastic section when I wash.

 

The Mr Clean Magic Eraser and a little water will clean it nicely.
Use a q-tip and denatured alcohol in the gaps under the bonnet where the sun don't shine.
Then finish off the wheel arches with Black Wow and they'll look perfect for quite a while.

 

I'm not familiar with this anti-rust spray feature your dealer described.

Could it be remnants of the cosmoline (goo the car is encased in for boat ride) that Mini didn't completely remove?

 

I've been getting it too during the hot weather.
Also noticed some coming out of the boot the other day (there is a little hole in the centre of the boot door tip when you open it).

The dealer was able to clean up a bit for me, but I still get it occasionally during the really hot days.

I was told that there is not alot you can do about it and after a while it will stop. Apparantly its been happening alot with the new X5's aswell.

 

That's it.
It's not the cosmolene formula that used to come on cars and motorcycles in the past; it's waxier and harder to remove from nooks and crannies.

 

Congratulations - y'all have discovered the joys of BMW/MINI cosmoline. Like herpes, it is FOREVER. It will be leaking out of the nooks and crannies of your bonnet when the car gets hot as long as you own it. And if it gets REALLY baked on, it's almost impossible to get off... I'm fighting with some year-old deposits right now...

 

Thanks for all the responses, ill try the magic eraser, seems like it should work

 

Magic eraser worked like a charm, and i also went over the wheel wells with Meguire's Back to Black. Thanks for the tip Arnbut.

 

the dealer will replace the arches, its under warranty!

 

Glad I could help; I've been trying to get my local dealer to PDA this way rather than use steel wool.
The Back to Black only lasts for a couple of days; it's good for a show or something though. Black Wow or Black Again last much longer.
Not that I'd ever obsess over a shiny car...

 

If it gets the same way again ill just have the dealer replace them.