Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

[the_invisible]

I have a couple small drips of hot glue/window urethane dropped onto my car during the windshield replacement a while ago. The stuff is black and is usually applied hot. I didn't pay much attention to it because I thought they would clean off easily with some alcohol or clay.

So a few days ago I got into detailing my car. As usual I washed it...

Then as I started claying the car, I find that the stuff didn't budge. I have a collection of clay that I used, including Meguiar's Smooth Clay, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Mild Clay, Mother's Clay, and Zaino Clay. None actually worked.

Alcohol and polish like M105 didn't work, and I immediately stopped using M105 knowing that it did not remove the urethane.

Anybody knows how to remove this stuff? I have never seen anything like this. I am not at a point where I want to buy a can of Aggressive Mirror Glaze Clay because I know I will not be using it other than to remove these small spots of urethane. And I don't want to buy any more clay without the assurance that the stuff will actually remove the urethane.

I toyed with the idea of using harsh chemicals such as goof off (paint thinner), but that will ruin the clear coat. From my previous experience, anything that could be removed by Goof Off can usually be removed with alcohol.

Pics to come, but I doubt they'd be helpful.

[Murr1525]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Is it individual drips, or are they "attatched" to the glue on the frame?

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Sorry, as I forgot to mention.

It's individual drips on the hood and on the fender.

Any idea?

[Murr1525]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Drips on the paint would seem more difficult.

The glass ones, depending on size/shape, you might try putting a plastic razer blade/credit card against an edge if there is one, and just whacking them. A little sheer force may do it.

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

So here's a picture of it:


Unfortunately, there's also one very small drop on the white leather, which I couldn't remove even with the Zymol Leather Cleaner...

The car is an Infiniti G35 and the clear coat is very hard. I was able to press really hard on the clay in the effort to remove the urethane drip.

I would guess that getting windows urethane onto paint is a very common thing. But I have no idea how to clean it.

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Used a small amount of Goof Off on a cotton ball to rub the urethane. It didn't do anything. It dulled the clear coat, just as alcohol did.

I'd be impressed if Meguiar's has a product that does this job. The pros have any input?

Does Meg's sell aggressive clays in sample size????

[Justin A]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Goo Gone!

My friend's 1985 Nissan 300ZX's rear window seals were basically starting to melt down the inside of the window, making a gross looking black mess on the inside of the window. I sprayed some Goo-Gone gel on it, let it sit for a few minutes, sprayed some more on, and came back five minutes later and wiped the mess up with a paper towel. His jaw almost hit the ground.
Goo-Gone.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

I hope some of the advice here has helped,and you can get it off.Your car should've been masked off to start with,but what's done is done.

Going by the pic,I think you might need to go to a bodyshop and see if anyone knows as they change glass more than most.

I have know idea,as I've never had this problem.If you try by using a credit card to budge it as mentioned earlier,would freezing it help? Just a suggestion.

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Just called the dealer that performed the windshield installation.

The dealer informed me that they will be repainting the panels that have had urethane stuck on it. Although I don't mind it, that's a lot of panels to be painted... Fender, hood, door...

The original glass installer passed away a while ago after the windshield replacement, and the guy I just talked to at the Nissan Infiniti Dealer basically told me that nothing can be done to remove the urethane.

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

By the way, tried goo gone to no avail.

I guess what is used to seal the glass and Window frame A pillar is an extremely strong adhesive that etches onto the paint surface. It is applied at near-boiling temperature.

[the_invisible]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

Do you experts have any opinion on this? I mean, this sort of stuff should be very common.

The paint is in immaculate condition and I find it a waste to repaint the panels. It would be a hassle, although painting the hood would definitely fix the rock chips I am having.
Also, the dealer corporation has very different management. The glass and bodyshop are separate entities. The glass manager tells me to speak directly to the corporation's bodyshop, while the bodyshop tells me that the glass department has to see the problem first. Although the different departments belong to the same parent, they are separate operations and do not like to cooperate (or communiate) with one another. A scenario I know all too well as a management with thirty years of experience in corporation environments.



Help please? Thanks!

[TJPark01]

Re: Removing Window Glue/Urethane ?

I feel your pain. The G35 is a nice car, stealthy hot rod. I'm afraid that solvents or adhesive removers aren't going to do much. I have a feeling that heat will create the chemical reaction you desire, and make the substance easier to remove. How to apply heat to paint is tricky and probably should only be attempted in a contained environment with the proper safety tools and by a professional only.