Dried up wax on plastic black trim

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MichaelD16

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When I detailed my car in March I taped up everywhere except the plastic black trim near the windshield. As a result I have small dried up wax spots all over it...didn't notice them until the next day. I was told by a sales rep at pep boys that windex or dawn would work. Tries Dawn and was unsuccessful. I also know there are products sold here specifically for this task but the results also appear to be mixed. I'd just like some advice from folks who have run into this issue and what they did to resolve it. Thanks for your help.
 
It really depends... I have had mixed luck removing wax from stained trim using various products. I like to think of it like doing laundry... some stains come out, others don't.

I typically use diluted IPA (rubbing alcohol) on a cotton swab or microfiber towel to try to get the wax off of the trim. IPA is capable of stripping wax, therefore it works pretty well at cleaning wax off of trim too. Sometimes it will take a good amount of time and work to get it off though.

If all else fails, hide it with a good trim restorer or vinyl dressing.
 
Use some APC, start at a lower dilution ratio, say 10:1, and work up from there.
 
Both of the above are good. Use a toothbrush or other soft brush for extra cleaning. I use Megs APC+.
 
I find if you hit it with a pressure washer some will come off then when you try to wipe it the spots don't spread around
 
Get you some peanut butter, smooth, put a little on a terry cloth rag and work it in really well, sometime the oil in the peanut butter will break it up.
Wipe it off to see if it removed it.
Works at times.
 
Try Tar X or Stoner Tarminator and a slightly stiff brush, spray, agitate and rinse. Repeat If necessary.
 
I've always used a big pink eraser. It's always worked for me.

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All of the above are good suggestions. I've used most except the peanut butter with mixed results. I also tried using steam to heat the wax or polish followed by IPA and toothbrush. That worked the best on one particular application. Good luck!
 
I tried the IPA method and it worked pretty good. I put some mothers back-to-black on top. Problem solved.
 
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jK1w2TtGxQ]How To Remove Wax From Car Plastic Trim - YouTube[/video]
 
ihaveacamaro said:
How To Remove Wax From Car Plastic Trim - YouTube
Click to expand...

LOL maybe im just OCD at protecting my finish....

but wouldnt it be much safer to apply the foam onto the brush spraying away from the car then adding more when necessary, minimizing as much APC onto the finished paint as possible and also draping a small plush MF in front of the grill there to soak up whatever came off the scrubbing area?
 
Ive owned pre wow for awhile now with great results. I still have a ton left (4oz bottles) as a little goes a long way. I dont use the brush it comes with since i feel its too stiff being that youre probably going to touch your paint if trim area is thin, so i use a foam applicator.
 
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