Removing sticky stuff from paintwork?

[gtivirgin]

Picked up a GTI that had black rubber door protectors on the lips of the doors that seemed to have been stuck down with some kind of adhesive or had some kind of paint protection strip underneath it (if it was it didn't work very well as the rubber strips have worn through the paintwork). I've removed the rubber bumpers and I am left with this underneath, like a perished layer of plasticy sticky residue.



Was recommended tar remover to try and get this stuff off and tried it earlier with Autoglym tar remover for about 10-15 minutes and while it did get some of the stuff off, it removed very little of the overall amount. Is there any other method or product I can use that is safe on paint work?

Also is there anything I can do to improve the scuffed line down the paintwork where the strip had been rubbing (the grey line to the left of the white sticky residue) perhaps some kind of cutting polish? Failing being able to improve the damage I was just gonna put the rubber bumpers back on but was hoping to remove all the residue and place a strip of 3M protector underneath to stop the rubber bumpers wearing the paint work down anymore.

Any advice appreciated. Cheers.

[Blackgtiman]

I always use lynx deodorant to get sticky stuff off paint. get it warm with a hair dryer first too.

[adamhsufc]

as said heat it up and get most of it off. Nail varnish remover is also very good at removing this sort of stuff so could be used for the remaining.
I once removed some side skirts off of a car and had absolutely loads of adhesive along the side, ended up cutting most of it off and then using a 'caramel wheel/toffee wheel' used in body shops. that could be the answer for you but not sure how easy it would be on the paintwork.

[Carpy25]

WD40 spray it on a rag hold it on to the sticky stuff to let the solvents do their stuff then wipe off   

Rob

[Kam88]

Halfords actually sell a spray called sticky stuff remover its about £6 works like a treat 

[robmcdonald]

Nail varnish remover is acetone which is also an excellent paint remover.

[gtivirgin]

Yeh looking to avoid anything that could possibly strip the paintwork ha.

I think the issue is that it was a clear plastic paint protection strip that has perished over the years. Some of it comes off with the tar remover but I think it only takes off the bits where the plastic has come away and has just left the adhesive residue from underneath. The actual thick bits that still have a plastic layer on it doesn't do anything to and its so perished and dried out and manky that I couldn't even try and peel it up and scrape it away. It's like its fully bonded to the paint. Probably why previous owners left them on to cover it but just ended up making the paint worse where the bump strip was rubbing constantly.

Don't wanna go down this road but anyone know how much both doors would be to respray? Boot has got some flaking around the badge, gonna try go with warranty when I take it for first service at VW but failing that I would look at a respray of couple of panels if I have the money.

Cheers guys

[Alex157_gti]

Lighter fluid works perfect for sicky stuff

No damage to paint work either!!

[markos]

this stuff is awesome at getting anything from paintwork:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gunk-Tar-Remover-improved-200ml/dp/B004PZT1HE

[xjay1337]

Only thing you want to use is Autosmart Tardis. The best tar/glue/gunk remover. We have used loads of different ones, nothiing comes close. To be fair heating it up with a heat gun will help a lot too.

[gtivirgin]

Cheers.

Is there any chance of damaging paint work with a heat gun? Obviously got access to a hair dryer but can get hold of a heat gun if that would work better. I know people use them to heat the metal before arch rolling to avoid cracking the paint, is it possible to over do it and cook the paint and damage the finish or will it withstand high temps without worry?

[4ndy]

good old fashioned terps or white spirit (pennies to buy)  Use gloves and a very soft cloth SOAK IT  Just used some to remove the skirts before going to paint