Mike! Please help!! I need some tricks.

Success

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What can I do to definitely, positively remove old dried polish/wax from black trim/ bedliner. I've tried peanut butter, vegetable oil, meguiars ultimate protectent (new and old version). I've used microfiber pad, foam pad, and a toothbrush. What works?!?!?!??? Please help.

Thanks
James
 
I use a block pencil eraser to remove the wax then I cover it with a trim sealant. I would suggest Ultima Tire and Trim guard or the new Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant. Ultima is known to hold up. The Wolfgang is in its testing states for durability. But knowing the quality of Wolfgang products, the ETS will last just as long.
 
What can I do to definitely, positively remove old dried polish/wax from black trim/ bedliner.

James

I don't know if it can be done by your criteria. My experience is once you stain at least the pebble textured type of exterior plastic trim that no matter how much you clean it you can always detect where the stain was as compared to surrounding trim that has not been stained.

That doesn't include using a dressing or a protectant to mask the whiteness or opaqueness created by the dried polish or wax residue.

Exterior plastic trim is a curse...

I'm confident others will chime in with some ideas... you've pretty much covered the basic methods people try. The fact that none of these remedies are meeting your expectations is an indicator as to how tough the problem can be.

This is why I'll tape this kind of trim off versus trying to remove it later or having a customer use my name as a curse word every time they look at their trim if I stained it.


Probably not the answer you were looking for?


:)
 

I've found part of the problem with the textured types of plastic trim that the polish residue gets impacted into the plastic into the pockets and pores, places you can't effectively wipe or cram the bristle of a nylon brush into.

It's this portion of wax and polish residue that is almost impossible to do what Success asked...

Success said:
What can I do to definitely, positively remove old dried polish/wax from black trim/ bedliner.


If he hasn't tried it though it would be a good product to try. I think the trend in car manufacture has been away from the pebble textured style to more smooth trim or painted trim.

One thing is usually any kind of solvent wipe will tend to make the polish residue go clear but after some time passes the residue dries out and turns white again.

Most people just apply a dressing that refreshes the factory new look to their trim and masks any polish residue that you cannot remove.

At least the above is my experience...


That's why I would rather work on things like these... no plastic trim...

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Well... this had a little plastic trim on it but it wasn't too bad, the worst part was the fuzzy gasket around the sunroof
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:)
 
Looks like DG has a product for that:

Duragloss Wax Eraser (WE) #481

Haven't tried it myself, but it looks like it has good reviews, and is cheap to boot. Certainly can't hurt to try it out.

I have used it. It has a neat dabbing applicator so when you press the head against the surface it dispenses. There was nothing remarkable about the cleaning power.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Does anyone know of a local place that carries prep-sol?
 
You can get the Kleen-Strip equivalent called Prep-All at Wal-Mart where the plastic body filler (bondo) is. Most any auto parts stores that carry auto body supplies such as Bondo will have a version of the same thing. It is commonly referred to as pre clean in the auto body industry.
 
Mike--what do you think about Meguiars heavy duty vinyl cleaner (#39) using a toothbrush? People have been mentioning this in other threads on the net.
 
I can't offer any suggest and specific product, BUT with whatever product you use, if you can get your hands on an electric toothbrush, give it a try.

Just be sure to cover the 'non-working' area with a towel or the like...can you say SPLATTER?

Bill
 
I tried wd40 last night with a magic eraser. It removed it a little. I ordered griots dried on wax remover last night. I am gonna try that then give up. I'm never not taping again!
 
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