Windex harmful to paint?

[22229stingray81]

Okay, let me start this off by saying that the paint on my '81 right now is horrible to say the least. I'm a poor college student and can't afford a paint job right now. With that being said I also live in an apartment, and washing the car is also quite an ordeal. I was cleaning the windows and whatnot, when I went to my rear bumper and had the idea to spray some Windex on it, to see if the exhaust marks would come of. Boy did they!! Whats in Windex that is so strong, just alcohol? Soap and water never took that grimey stuff off. So my question is, for future reference, is Windex harmful to use on my 'vettes paint? It doesn't matter what I spray on it now, as the paint is a -8 on the 1 to 10 scale. Thanks for any replies.

-Tatortot

 

[Eric]

Probably the ammonia is what's cutting through the grime more than alcohol. It will cut through nearly anything because it is quite caustic. I would imagine it would strip off every spec of wax or anything else for that matter.

I'm sure some paint experts will know the exact impact.

 

[paintdaddy]

It will strip off wax ,thats for sure.It will also rob some of the oils from the paint if it has any gloss at all.It would take along time to notice a difference though.

 

[22229stingray81]

So windex is a no-no, gotcha. I knew there was a reason why people didn't use it, just wanted to hear the scientific answer.


-Tatortot

 

[22229stingray81]

Another thought; could it eat through the top/clear-coat?? Besides bad chipping I have very rough patches where it looks like all the top coating has been removed (wasn't like this when I bought it). Maybe some previous owner did something like this and it showed up years later. I left my 'vette under a tarp for 1-2 weeks after my carport collapsed (long story, thank a blizzard for that one) and when I took it off the paint was in the current condition. Is it possible there was some sort of ammonia or other detergent trapped dorment for many years on it, and finally came out while under the tarp?? I'm just brainstorming here.

-Tatortot

 

[Chrisr]

I had an '81 T/A back in the day. It had the urethane bumpers on it. When I put it in some shows, I learned a little trick, that if you use Pledge furniture polish, you get the urethane bumpers to really shine!!! Plus, It's porbably a whole lot safer than Windex with ammonia.

 

[maxrevs85]

Windex will strip the wax. I've used WD-40 to clean the exhuast off the rear. it works well and doesnt harm.

Pledge, brought back memories. I used that in the 60's & 70's before armourall was out. Used it on tires , interior, and , oh yea funiture. Mom bought extra just to use on the cars.

 

[Eric]

before armourall was out.

Someone is dating themself.

 

[maxrevs85]

Someone is dating themself.

Oh dont I know it:eyerole

What is really cool think about though ,is that the tires and interiors were on 66 chevelle SS , 68 SS conv, 66 442, 70 Vette roadster and different friends assorted muscle cars and they were all within 5years old !!!! What an era it was.:cool

 

[Chrisr]

What an era it was.:cool

How true!!!!!!!!