After Buttonwillow, I had an extraordinary number of those pesky "black smears" on the paint and starshield.. mostly on the doors and sills, but also on the front clam.

These aren't dirt, and they aren't bugs.. the spots resisted all manner of detergent and scrubbing. The best I could affect was a smear or smudge with some vigorous cotton-mitt scrubbing.

So I started considering solvents and trying some in out-of-the-way places.

Jumping ahead, WD40 worked like magic. A little spray on a folded corner of a clean cotton rag made quick work of the black streaks and dots. Just one wipe was usually enough to remove it entirely. With some trepidation, I tried it on the Starshield, and it worked fine there too. I'm sure it didn't do any favors for the Zaino, but I can rewax those parts. Scrubbing with detergent would have been more abusive.

Anyway, I'm sure any number of bug & tar removers would have worked, mostly toluene, I think. WD40 seems like kerosene to me, so I wouldn't go wild with the stuff, but I have to say it's my new addition to the detailing kit. Nice tip! Although the exact formulation of WD-40 is kept secret, and the company claims in contians no kerosine it most likely contains 3/4, or better, something very simiular to kerosine - plus some oils and other lubricants and perhaps some antioxidants (improves durability) ... trust your instincts.

But it is an excellent cleaner. Don't get too carried away with it on paint.
From personal experience it will remove Honda black but not the paint on other makes .
I do use it on the underside aluminum skin of my 7.
m If you don't want to take a chance with W40 on your paint, the following product also works really well to remove all these black spots after a track day:

Stoner Xenit

AW If you don't want to take a chance with W40 on your paint, the following product also works really well to remove all these black spots after a track day:

Stoner Xenit

AW Thanks for the link! It sounds a bit like some of the Orange Cleaner stuff I have here and there, which do work well for removing gums and tars. Some of them leave an orange-oil film that's almost as hard to remove, but I'll get a bottle of Xenit for the arsenal to try.

I did test the WD40 on the (yellow) paint and starshield, and it didn't seem to soften the clearcoat or dull it, but I was only using a damp wipe, not a standing droplet or anything. YMMV. I'm finding paints and clearcoats vary hugely in how they react to solvents and polishes. LOL! My dad has been using this to "polish" the Civics. Doesn't spray a lot. Just a bit here and there where tar, oil and other crap can dirty the car. It just wipes off with no problem! After Buttonwillow, I had an extraordinary number of those pesky "black smears" on the paint and starshield.. mostly on the doors and sills, but also on the front clam.

These aren't dirt, and they aren't bugs.. the spots resisted all manner of detergent and scrubbing. The best I could affect was a smear or smudge with some vigorous cotton-mitt scrubbing.

So I started considering solvents and trying some in out-of-the-way places.

Jumping ahead, WD40 worked like magic. A little spray on a folded corner of a clean cotton rag made quick work of the black streaks and dots. Just one wipe was usually enough to remove it entirely. With some trepidation, I tried it on the Starshield, and it worked fine there too. I'm sure it didn't do any favors for the Zaino, but I can rewax those parts. Scrubbing with detergent would have been more abusive.

Anyway, I'm sure any number of bug & tar removers would have worked, mostly toluene, I think. WD40 seems like kerosene to me, so I wouldn't go wild with the stuff, but I have to say it's my new addition to the detailing kit.
I have been using WD-40 for 20 years on everything including polished aluminum. It will not harm any clear-coat paint. Although the only car I have never owned or tried it on, is Honda.
But here is one you won't believe until you try it!! I use it on the whole interior too! Yes, Leather, & of all colors!! No smell - after 6 hours, ultra cleaner, less squeeks, super soft & moist, no cracking, beautiful shine, no greasey residue!! Try a little. Spray directly onto leather. Fairly heavy, then wipe off to an awsome finish you won't believe with a cotton towel. I have done it for many years & I always get compliments on the look, feel & smell of my leather. I know, Everyone tells me I'm "insane" until I spray it on in front of them! I have been using WD-40 for 20 years on everything including polished aluminum. It will not harm any clear-coat paint. Although the only car I have never owned or tried it on, is Honda.
But here is one you won't believe until you try it!! I use it on the whole interior too! Yes, Leather, & of all colors!! No smell - after 6 hours, ultra cleaner, less squeeks, super soft & moist, no cracking, beautiful shine, no greasey residue!! Try a little. Spray directly onto leather. Fairly heavy, then wipe off to an awsome finish you won't believe with a cotton towel. I have done it for many years & I always get compliments on the look, feel & smell of my leather. I know, Everyone tells me I'm "insane" until I spray it on in front of them!

You are insane! Simple Green folks. It works just as good, and a lot more paint friendly. Simple Green folks. Careful with Simple Green - it's corrosive to aluminum. Not a good thing to get on certain large parts of the Elise... Yeah. I've been using WD40 to clean my motorcycle's rim from the chain lube. That stuff's hard to get off. But I'm not sure what effect WD40 will have on paint. Another good WD40 tip (Bars use this):

Spray it on countersills, especially in the bathrooms, and if you lay a line of cocaine on it it begins to dissolve. Leave it a few seconds and it is rendered useless. If the unfortunate junkie decides to try and salvage the stuff by snorting it anyway, he or she will have a very uncomfortable, painful experience involving lots of blood.
Another good WD40 tip (Bars use this):

Spray it on countersills, especially in the bathrooms, and if you lay a line of cocaine on it it begins to dissolve. Leave it a few seconds and it is rendered useless. If the unfortunate junkie decides to try and salvage the stuff by snorting it anyway, he or she will have a very uncomfortable, painful experience involving lots of blood.

I am not going to ask how you found out about this Yeah. I've been using WD40 to clean my motorcycle's rim from the chain lube. That stuff's hard to get off. My mother taught me a trick for that. Buy a spray can of Pam (it's meant to keep food from sticking on pans). The grime pretty much rinses off. Re-apply as needed. Weirdest thread on eT right here.

WD40, Coke, and Pam. Good times. Weirdest thread on eT right here.

WD40, Coke, and Pam. Good times.
watch out when they start talking about wesson oil partys I am not going to ask how you found out about this
It's a long story involving a tweeker Scotsman the revenge of his violated and really pissed off sheep.

Why do the Scottish wear kilts?

Cause sheep can hear a zipper a mile away.


J/K, there was an article in British Weekly. British bars/clubs do it to stop the kids from doing coke in their establshments. I've been using wd40 for years... plastic, metal, paint, never with a problem.

It's absolutely the best for removing glue or tar. Just be careful to clean it off properly.

Avoid using it in places where grease is used. Bike chains [especially o-ring types], fittings etc. as wd40 disolves grease and isn't quite as good a lubricant.

wd40 is also great for preserving guitar strings [keeps them from oxidizing].

It can also help to keep your bathroom mirror from fogging. My dad just sent me this. Sorry it's pretty long.

WD-40 - Water Displacement #40.

The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and
degreaser to protect missile parts.

WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket
Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a
"water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth
formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect
their atlas missile parts.

The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling
(also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The
executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in
aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one
of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the
stuff manufactured each year. It gets its distinctive smell from a fragrance
that is added to the brew.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40
that would hurt you. When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top...Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some of the uses:

Protects silver from tarnishing.

Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery.

Keeps flies off cows.

Restores and cleans chalkboards.

Removes lipstick stains.

Loosens stubborn zippers.

Untangles jewelry chains.

Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

Removes tomato stains from clothing.

Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

Keeps scissors working smoothly.

Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding
mowers.

Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl
bumpers.

Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy
handling.

Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

Removes splattered grease on stove.

Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

Removes all traces of duct tape.

Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis
pain.

Florida's favorite use is: "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and
bumpers."

The favorite use in the state of New York--WD-40 protects the Statue
of Liberty from the elements.

WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will
be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the
chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind
though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not
allowed in some states.

Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the
itch.

WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and
wipe with a clean rag.

Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and
dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick
spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!

If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the
moisture and allow the car to start.

It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!

Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't
seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard
to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of
marks.

Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use
WD-40!

P.S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL