I took my '72 F100 to get the windshield replaced and the knuckleheads who did the job made a mess. There are windshield adhesive smudges and fingerprints all over the hood that I cannot rub off. From what I know is that they also used WD40 to get the trim into the rubber sleeve. WD40 was all over the hood as well. Anyone know of a product/method to remove this gunk without damaging the paint finish?

 

Silicone and wax remover you use when prepping a vehicle for paint would probably work. Just make sure to rewax.

 

First I would give it a bath with Dawn dishwashing soap. Then try bug and tar remover. If that doesnt work, then use the paint prep cleaner like mentioned above. The first 2 are cheap and easily availible to anyone, the paint prep solvent you have to go to a body shop supply place to pick up. But no matter what process works, your going to have to rewax it....if you wax it at all.

 

How about having the knuckleheads that made the mess take care of it ,,,

 

Uh, I gotta go with Rick on this one. Why do you think it is your responsibility to clean it up, take it back to the shop that did your windshield and raise some hell.

 

Unfortunatly that should have been done the very day the windshield install was done. But now the company can say it wasnt their fault since he waited so long. Unless he did report it right away, but didnt mention it here. But then if it were me, I would just do it myself...who knows what those knuckel heads would do next.

 

I'm no lawyer, but I think anyone would agree that having a windshield installed, then bringing back to complain about the windshield sealant crap all over everything a few days later are definitely related. I'd take it back, too. But having said that I use PPG wax and grease remover (330 DX ?) and it gets off pretty much everything.

 

Sorry in advance for reviving this thread but I'm in the windshield biz and might be able to help.............

First off taking it back or calling them ASAP after the installation would have been best BUT if its a good shop they'll immediately see if the smudges and such are indeed related to their work. If the cheapest shop was used because of that reason alone its part of the "bargain price"----cheap up front but suspect quality in the longer term.

WD40 is a huge no no in the glass biz as it can and does attack the rubber gasket even though it aids in slipping the glass inside the gasket. I myself used a 3M wet type silicone spray (p/n 08877) which has the added benefit of conditioning and preserving the rubber after installtion. The excess is always cleaned after installation, any on surrounding panels is also removed because nothing is more satisfying than a gleaming clean new windshield.

If the shop won't stand by their work after the fact get a very very fine rubbing compound like Turtle Wax once made and go over the hood and fender tops to remove whatever crap was left behind, fingerprints included. This assumes the paint in still in good condition and enough remains to allow this---try first under the hood or another out of sight painted part. Reapply wax and you should be good to go.

Just keep in the mind you indeed get what you pay for even though the lowest price is hard to resist!