Getting rid of JDM wind deflectors

[Dan Trent]

As many will be aware I love a JDM car, the locals' love of a horrible plastic wind deflector along the windows not so much.

The proper Subaru ones on the Forester were less offensive than most but had cracked on the back edge and were starting to flap about so they've had to go. Got as far as the removal of all the actual deflectors (hands shredded by shards of plastic along the way - nice) and now left with the sticky residue.

Any tips on how to get rid of it? I realise the answer is probably 'you should have left them on' and all that. But I haven't.

I've been here before, having taken similar items off my old JDM Impreza wagon and I recall it took many hours with meths, an old credit card and lots of rubbing with an old towel. Got there in the end. Anyone got any super stealth tips or is it going to be be a repeat of that joyous experience?

Cheers!

Dan

[TommoAE86]

You're not going to like me as I spent £90 getting a pair of original ones for my Skyline!

Anyway I had to clean off all the old residue from the one that broke and I was using WD40 first with a scourer to lift the old foam tape (I wasn't near the paint at this stage), then I used some car shampoo to get the rest off and the arm of the hulk. However please note my car is black and the paint is 20 years old, so if I've done anything to it then I couldn't see it! Don't want you ruining a nice bit of paintwork.

Good luck!

[Dan Trent]

I hear you; I realise it's authentic JDM yo and all that and they were less offensive than some being official accessory parts. This is how rock'n'roll it is though - every time I braced myself against the door aperture to lift my 18-month-old in or out I couldn't help putting my shoulder against it with a lovely cracking noise the result.

Ho hum. Some manner of solvent, scraper and a lot of time looks like the way forward. At least it's on plastic trim and not paint so I can probably afford to be a little more forceful.

Dan

[RedAndy]

meguiars does a sticky stuff remover. its very effective. or it mght have been autoglym... anyway it was called stickystuff remover.

or try petrol...which does clean most things.

[C.A.R.]

Assume you've probably hacked most of the sticky stuff off now, but vegetable oil can be quite effective at breaking down sticky residue and is obviously safe on paint and trim. Leave to soak in for a moment then gently rub at it.