Trim prep questions

raysaint

raysaint

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Car is only a few months old. Working on the black trim and the chrome trim.

Black Trim

Sides and rear bumper just got 2 coats of WETS, looks good. Couple faint whitish marks, (tiny scrapes?) APC didn't remove them but an eraser kinda did. I will come back to those later in the year.

Bigger issue is front bumper; washed the car yesterday, today rubbed my hand along front bumper and underside of it also, a total fine grit feel. Stands to reason as it faces the driving direction.
How do I get it back to smooth plastic before LSP? Wasn't sure about bug/tar remover, bug sponge, etc.

Chrome Trim

I didn't dress it before winter, but it looks pretty clean/clear. Only a few months old. But I can see tiny spots, so wondering if I should do anything before C5 coating. Clay? Polish? (I have fine abrasive polish, and old non-abrasive polish). APC?

As always, thanking you in advance for your suggestions.
 
raysaint said:
Car is only a few months old. Working on the black trim and the chrome trim.

Black Trim

Sides and rear bumper just got 2 coats of WETS, looks good. Couple faint whitish marks, (tiny scrapes?) APC didn't remove them but an eraser kinda did. I will come back to those later in the year.

Bigger issue is front bumper; washed the car yesterday, today rubbed my hand along front bumper and underside of it also, a total fine grit feel. Stands to reason as it faces the driving direction.
How do I get it back to smooth plastic before LSP? Wasn't sure about bug/tar remover, bug sponge, etc.

Chrome Trim

I didn't dress it before winter, but it looks pretty clean/clear. Only a few months old. But I can see tiny spots, so wondering if I should do anything before C5 coating. Clay? Polish? (I have fine abrasive polish, and old non-abrasive polish). APC?

As always, thanking you in advance for your suggestions.
Click to expand...

Clay and polish as needed for both front bumper and trim.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Wait, you’re saying clay & polish the black plastic trim? Really?
Click to expand...
Look below "Chrome Trim"
Chrome Trim

I didn't dress it before winter, but it looks pretty clean/clear. Only a few months old. But I can see tiny spots, so wondering if I should do anything before C5 coating. Clay? Polish? (I have fine abrasive polish, and old non-abrasive polish). APC?
 
If the bumper is smooth painted plastic you can clay and polish. If its textured, just use WETS or Solution Finish.
 
Rsurfer said:
If the bumper is smooth painted plastic you can clay and polish. If its textured, just use WETS or Solution Finish.
Click to expand...

Yea, that’s more in line to how I’m picturing it. Generally speaking, if you’re applying WETS onto that plastic trim it’s probably not the kind of plastic trim you’d clay or even polish except for those rare exceptions.
 
raysaint said:
Car is only a few months old. Working on the black trim and the chrome trim.

Black Trim
Bigger issue is front bumper; washed the car yesterday, today rubbed my hand along front bumper and underside of it also, a total fine grit feel. Stands to reason as it faces the driving direction.
How do I get it back to smooth plastic before LSP? Wasn't sure about bug/tar remover, bug sponge, etc.
Click to expand...

The road rash you're feeling is normal. Professional advice, don't chase it. It's part of the style of the cladding these cars use. My wife's only has 14k on it and the front black plastic cladding is similar but still looks fantastic. Solution Finish will darken up the lighter spots and even it out and provide the necessary oils it needs to stay nice. Once done, use GYEON CanCoat EVO to seal it up. It will stay dark for 12-18 months then as the coating naturally fades and is abraded off by road dust, you can retreat and protect it again. WETS is great but it fades after just a wash or two.

Chrome Trim
I didn't dress it before winter, but it looks pretty clean/clear. Only a few months old. But I can see tiny spots, so wondering if I should do anything before C5 coating. Clay? Polish? (I have fine abrasive polish, and old non-abrasive polish). APC?
As always, thanking you in advance for your suggestions.
Click to expand...

Treat as you would the paint.

My wife's CX-30 Turbo in Premium Plus Trim

original.jpg


original.jpg


original.jpg
 
The front bumper is not faded or anything, it's just gritty. Are you all saying I can clay it without marring the plastic?
Or just leave it as is and apply the sealant?

The chrome I'll just lightly APC or hand polish before C5.
 
raysaint said:
The front bumper is not faded or anything, it's just gritty. Are you all saying I can clay it without marring the plastic?
Or just leave it as is and apply the sealant?

For the I'll just lightly APC or hand polish before C5.
Click to expand...

That gritty feeling could be embedded contaminants; use a clay mitt to see if it pulls them off. As I would say it most likely is, the plastic is dinged and chipped up from road debris. You should be able to see and feel either or both. It's soft plastic and does get road-rashed easily. A clay mitt won't hurt it at all.
 
I'll try the mitt, underneath where it's not visible, in case of micro marring. Then clean it with apc, or maybe try my old Duragloss bug remover; not sure Tarminator is safe.
I'll just accept that front bumpers get fine debris stuck to them, but as long as the bumper looks as good as the rest of the trim.
 
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