I’m sure this has been covered but for the life of me I
cannot find another post regarding this problem.
The gray goo used to seal/attach the plastic sheet behind
the door panels has been seeping out from the bottom of the
door panels. Once enough of this goo has oozed out it drips
onto the rubber door seals and the sill plate. It’s sticky
as it should be to keep the protective sheet adhered to the
door. Apparently it begins to fail with time and heat. I
live in a tropical climate with year-round temps in the high
70’s to low 80’s which is pleasant for people but hard on
cars. Sure wish I had an air conditioned garage.
What is the best way to remove this mess from the bottom of
the door and surrounding trim bits?–
Peter Fritz – '93 XJR-S Red Convt
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from MauiHoss sent Tue 11 Feb 2014:
Peter,
I’m not sure if it will work on the grey goo but WD-40
usually softens adhesives without damaging the surfaces
involved.–
The original message included these comments:
The gray goo used to seal/attach the plastic sheet behind
the door panels has been seeping out from the bottom of the
door panels. Once enough of this goo has oozed out it drips
onto the rubber door seals and the sill plate. It’s sticky
as it should be to keep the protective sheet adhered to the
door. Apparently it begins to fail with time and heat. I
Peter Fritz – '93 XJR-S Red Convt
In reply to a message from JagsinVT sent Wed 12 Feb 2014:
First thing I try is mineral spirits as it does not damage
finishes either and is good at dissolving, or at least
loosening, many adhesives. Some adhesives are alcohol based
and rubbing alcohol usually works on those.
You live in a nice cool area, the temps here are usually in
the 80s and 90s most of the year, I would not suspect that the
temperatures are affecting that stuff, rather that something
has gotten to it and is dissolving it. I do not know what
would be behind the door panel which would affect that gray
stuff, though.–
The original message included these comments:
I’m not sure if it will work on the grey goo but WD-40
usually softens adhesives without damaging the surfaces
involved.
In reply to a message from Jerry Peck sent Wed 12 Feb 2014:
I will give these products a try to see what works best and
report back. Other car forums have mentioned similar
problems but no ultimate solutions. Ideas ranged from heat
guns (blow dryers) to kerosene.
Interesting that you live in an even hotter climate and
haven’t had this problem. Last year I looked at a '92 XJS
that a woman was selling nearby and it had the same problem.
I spotted it the minute I opened the door – gray goo all
over the door sill. When I checked my car later, I noticed
that the process was beginning. Now it’s getting worse.
Perhaps it’s something in our air or maybe these cars were
left in a garage during termite tenting. I dunno.
I’m hoping not to have to remove the door panels anytime
soon but it would be interesting to find out if this sagging
sticky stuff is happening everywhere or just at the bottom
of the door. Also to find out if the vapor barrier is still
attached as it should be.
Thanks!–
The original message included these comments:
First thing I try is mineral spirits as it does not damage
finishes either and is good at dissolving, or at least
loosening, many adhesives. Some adhesives are alcohol based
and rubbing alcohol usually works on those.
In reply to a message from MauiHoss sent Wed 12 Feb 2014:
I’ve used Goo Gone with success on that gray adhesive.
Seems to gradually dissolve it.–
1992 Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
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I can’t help but wonder is some local shop in your area has used
improper adhesive after removing the plastic seal from the door sheet
metal, located between the door panel and the door metal. That would
be particularly likely if you have the problem on just one side.
I have never seen any “gray goo” on either my 85 or 89, even when
removing the door panels. I have never seen any sign of such material
leaking from the doors onto the sill on any other XJ-S that I have seen
or driven (quite a few).
Wonder if anyone else out there has ever seen such stuff.
I would suggest removing any affected door panel and using a proper
solvent (kerosene, denatured alcohol, mineral spirits, etc.) to remove
whatever improper adhesive is there, and applying 3-M interior adhesive.
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP
In reply to a message from George Balthrop sent Thu 13 Feb 2014:
Peter,
I’ve never seen such goo on my 85’. I have also used
mineral spirits or lacquer thinner on my car with success.
Dan in SW Florida–
Dan Sater /69’ XKE 2+2 / 85’ XJ-S V12 5.3 HE / 2007 XK
Bonita Springs/Florida, United States
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In reply to a message from George Balthrop sent Thu 13 Feb 2014:
George –
I always appreciate your experience and dedication to this
site.
‘‘Local Shop’’ – I can understand why you might think that
but my car hasn’t been to a shop for anything that would
have required the door panels removed since I got it about
10 years ago. The other car I looked at for that lady –
well, it was in very sorry condition and who knows. Both of
my doors are oozing adhesive – mostly right below the door
speakers. I see that there are a few other posters who’ve
had this problem so I really think it’s environmental. My
brother has two XJ-S’s and he did say this happened on his
'95.
In the end, I used some paper towels to wipe the worst of it
from the bottom of the doors. Once the bulk of it was
removed, I tried a little mineral spirits on the remainder.
The mineral spirits appears to have removed some of the
paint. That may be just some oxidized finish but I wouldn’t
want to use it anyplace that’s easily seen. Elbow grease
and paper towels works best.
Next time I need to lube the door locks, I’ll address the
problem more thoroughly. Until then, I’ll keep an eye on it
so that doesn’t mess up the door sills or the rubber seals.
Luckily, it moves very slowly.–
The original message included these comments:
I can’t help but wonder is some local shop in your area has used
improper adhesive after removing the plastic seal from the door sheet
metal, located between the door panel and the door metal. That would
be particularly likely if you have the problem on just one side.
In reply to a message from Lost Dogs sent Thu 13 Feb 2014:
‘‘lacquer thinner’’
Test the lacquer thinner in an inconspicuous area first to
make sure your paint is not lacquer. My car has the original
paint and it is one of the ones they used lacquer on - rub
lacquer thinner on it and the rag will turn red from the red
lacquer being rubbed off.
I found this out while cleaning the underside of the bonnet
after the under-hood pad fire.–
The original message included these comments:
mineral spirits or lacquer thinner on my car with success.
Any chance there was a change of adhesive used in the door panels with
the facelift cars in '92?
NEITHER of mine (85 & 89) have that type of adhesive in the doors, and
I’ve had both apart on several occasions.
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: MauiHoss pcfritz@hawaii.rr.com
Both of
my doors are oozing adhesive – mostly right below the door
speakers. I see that there are a few other posters who’ve
had this problem so I really think it’s environmental. My
brother has two XJ-S’s and he did say this happened on his
'95.
In reply to a message from George Balthrop sent Thu 13 Feb 2014:
That would seem to be the case given your observations on
the '85 and '89. Interesting that my brother didn’t mention
that he’d seen this problem on his '92 but did see it on his
'95. So, the change may have happened sometime in 1991 just
after his '92 was built.
I guess the question at this point is: What is the best
product to replace the gray adhesive with?
Certainly applying a vapor barrier is common practice on car
doors but I only found a few car enthusiasts who’ve posted
about a similar problem. Some posters talk about it being
black tar-like substance that puddles out but I didn’t take
note of the car make.–
The original message included these comments:
Any chance there was a change of adhesive used in the door panels with
the facelift cars in '92?
That is a clear spray-on adhesive which may be used to attach interior
trim to metal or rubber, such as mats. I believe that it remains
semi-tacky and can be pulled loose without tearing the plastic, similar
to contact cement, but do a test first, allowing it to setup overnight.
You should be able to get it at any good auto parts store, like NAPA.
They also have a "General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, #08984, which may
be the answer to your original question. At least it removes 08074
George Balthrop, Clifton, VA USA
89 and 85 XJ-S Coupes; 89 XJ40 VDP-----Original Message-----
From: MauiHoss pcfritz@hawaii.rr.com
I guess the question at this point is: What is the best
product to replace the gray adhesive with?
In reply to a message from Wide one sent Thu 13 Feb 2014:
My car sees 12 degrees F to 112 degrees F. Still no goo
so far. Boy what I’d give for 70s to 80s year round!–
John. '95 XJS 6.0L convertible. Southlake, TX
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