Getting into the nooks and crannies around emblems...

chinee

New member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
110
Reaction score
0
I would usually just use a detailing brush with the car soap every other wash or so to clean the emblems, up, down, circular, over and over, to really get into the nooks and crannies. Then after a close examination during drying, I went to town with the corner of MF towel, but there’s still crud in there. I’m thinking a Q-tip is next with some wax, soap, detailing spray, or something... but thought I’d ask you guys first. What do you do to really get into these tights spots?

At first glance, these don't look too bad, but zooming in, the crud is evident.

3324e7c654ea04344e13a9ab7f4733a8.jpg
a70f316c7c120382eae70a2c5d8e5037.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
De-badge vehicle as much as possible, then you don't have to worry about it. These newer cars all have stickers on the badge backing, not like they used to be with holes drilled through the panel and nuts holding them on from behind.
 
De-badge vehicle as much as possible, then you don't have to worry about it. These newer cars all have stickers on the badge backing, not like they used to be with holes drilled through the panel and nuts holding them on from behind.

Yes and no. I’m a HUGE fan of de-badging a vehicle as soon as it get it however my son’s Honda and wife’s Acura both have trunk emblems that are held on by 2 sided tape and posts through the panel.
 
Debadging was a thought but I was thinking of pursuing a cleaning method before going in that direction.
 
Simplest way is just keep at it with the softest detailing brush you can lay your hands on, and something like a waterless wash spray.
Carpro Ech2O comes to mind.

Try to let the liquid products do the work as much as possible by pre-soaking.

Advice after that is be as careful as possible when applying products near any and all badges and trim.

Possibly consider converting after to WOWA Sealant products like Optimum Opti-Seal, or Ultima paint Guard Plus which leave basically zero residues behind. Or going further up the ladder, a good Ceramic Coating, and then maintain with the dedicated spray maintainer products.
 

This.

I had some of the hardest freakin wax stuck in the cracks of my trim...

d3785bc35779b687ca777d01d146737d.jpg


I tried the products.

7e96b40d0130817a75404a4633a2d408.jpg


Tried letting it dwell and brushing a Bunch of times...

0cbcfcccdf932a976b79beea97667000.jpg


Wouldn’t budge. The previous owner must’ve have used Nu Finish or something!

Finally used the steamer and viola... Gone!

b3309dd04bdf797e52de0242e832d5a9.jpg
 
Steam cleaner sounds like the ticket, but I don’t have one. Thinking now about rubbing alcohol in some hot water, 1:1, with a small detail brush.

Maybe some APC in hot water as well.

Any other ideas?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Steam cleaner sounds like the ticket, but I don’t have one. Thinking now about rubbing alcohol in some hot water, 1:1, with a small detail brush.

Maybe some APC in hot water as well.

Any other ideas?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cut the bristles of the brush down a bit with some scissors so they can provide stiffer agitation.

f8ec21e6434ba9b57548feae3b4b9461.jpg
 
Both brush ideas sound doable. Thanks!
 
Small clothes steamers work too. I have one that was $15 or so.
 
Be very careful with those Mothers brushes. They’re some of my favorite brushes I never like to be without, but when it comes to emblems, especially plastic chrome emblems that are in good shape it’s almost always better to leave them alone because those brushes can be too aggressive. I’ve chipped a piece of chrome right off the letter with these brushes trying to chase perfection. I shouldn’t have went so aggressive.

263cbb0ea9f2e93d110581974494f99e.jpg


But they’re great for so many things. I pick some up almost everytime I place an order. They’re great low profile tire brushes.

c630ce54dfe18f559abb8f3caee835bc.jpg
 
Be very careful with those Mothers brushes. They’re some of my favorite brushes I never like to be without, but when it comes to emblems, especially plastic chrome emblems that are in good shape it’s almost always better to leave them alone because those brushes can be too aggressive. I’ve chipped a piece of chrome right off the letter with these brushes trying to chase perfection. I shouldn’t have went so aggressive.

263cbb0ea9f2e93d110581974494f99e.jpg


But they’re great for so many things. I pick some up almost everytime I place an order. They’re great low profile tire brushes.

c630ce54dfe18f559abb8f3caee835bc.jpg

I got a couple of these to do trim.... great idea on the lo pro tires. My tuf shine brush moght be too agressive for maintenance washes once tires are coated in mckees. This is the ticket.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Small clothes steamers work too. I have one that was $15 or so.

You know what? There might actually be one of those hanging around my closet... I’ll go take a look.

Good idea!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top