Cosmoline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

I remember entire vehicles coming in to our dealership sprayed with it. MB had a bulletin out telling how to get it off if it stayed on too long and advising to get it taken off right away when the car came in to the dealer. They might use something different now. They started removing it themselves at the port (late 80s?) so unsure if it is still used now. The wiki article says it's brown, but when applied turns a yellowish color which turns to white when left on long enough (like in the areas on your car you are tlaking about). As the article states, wd40 will soften it up.

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