OK, not really a Volvo-specific question, but:

My wife and I towed our '89 244 across the country from Maryland to Oregon, and after an unfortunate incident where the oil filler cap came off the tow vehicle, the car now has little oil spatters all over the otherwise cherry paint job. I've sent it through the car wash several times and tried every bottle of auto-store junk you can imagine to get it out, with no luck - and I know it's not completely embedded in the paint because if I gently rub with my finger I can mostly remove the stains. But I'd have no fingers left if I did that to the whole car.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance...

Hand rub oil out with a paste rubbing compound, then hand rub with a polish to bring up the shine, then use a cleaner wax to wax to seal.
--
Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL * VOLVO ON!!!!

I've heard peanut butter will remove tar, it may work on oil as well.

Smells way better than most cleaners as well.

curtis m. white

We've used Dawn dishwashing liquid which works wonderfully! Best of Luck!

Sincerely,

JBeechcraft

If useing dish soap, that will dry the paint and leed to premature paint fade.
Make sure you hand wax after every time dish soap is used on the paint.
--
Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL * VOLVO ON!!!!

I know that baby oil will remove tar stains.Might be worth a try on the oil stains.Good luck!
Nelson

I had to do the same thing today after leaving the oil cap off my Toyota Tercel yesterday. I use Purple Power degreaser mixed 50-50 with water. The oil washes off fairly easily, and it should be followed with a fresh wax job.

If it is a fully cured paint coating, a Formula 409 type cleaner should remove the oil without harming the paint, but it will require a re-waxing afterward. You should try an inconspicuous area first, if possible.
--
Gary Gilliam Sumerduck VA, '94 940 na Regina 150k, '86 240 180k