Exterior Trim Cleaning & Dressing - So confused

UTdetailing

UTdetailing

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My first post. What a great forum with tons of expertise.

I did search on the topic and found lots of related posts, but nothing I saw answered all my question/s. If I missed it, please accept my apology ahead of time.

When it comes to cleaning and dressing exterior Rubber/Vinyl/Plastic trim (excluding tires) I'm afraid I have maybe read to much, and I find myself completely conflicted.

Cleaning:
I've read that you should periodically "deep clean" with a degreaser or Alcohol solution to remove all previously applied dressings, on the flip side I've read to never use a degreaser or alcohol as it dries out the "natural" oils that prevent the pieces from drying out? Do polymers even have "natural" oils?

Dressing
This is even worse than the cleaning.
  1. Some say silicones are bad, others say silicones are actually good and "nourish" Plastic/Vinyl/Rubber. Then there is the issue of a quadrillion different types of silicones some good and some bad?
  2. Water Based vs. Solvent Based - From the best I can gather, the biggest difference is the "longevity" and "customizability" between the two. Solvent based lasts longer, but you get what the MFG decided as far as shine level. Water based doesn't last as long, but you can dilute to your preferred level of shine?
  3. UV Protection. This seems to be something I can't imagine you wouldn't want to be a top priorities, however some of the most popular dressings I see talked about(Meg's Hyper & All Season) don't seem to offer "UV Blocking" I saw where Meg's themselves said that hyper dressing offers a very "limited" amount of UV blocking?

Below is what I have tried and the reason I am still looking for the "right product"

Meg's Ultimate Protectant - Love the satin/natural finish, but runs and washes off in places with the first three rain drops
303 Aerospace - Again love the finish, although it seemed to be a little more finicky in producing a consistent finish, but again runs and washes off with even the slightest rain/snow
Meg's Ultimate Back to Black - A little too shiny
Mothers VLR - I applied this 3 times and in 10 minutes I couldn't tell if I had applied it at all

I am really tempted to get a gallon of Meg's Hyper Dressing, however my concerns is that it offers little to no UV protection? How does it hold up to rain? I don't expect to get months of protection in a hurricane but I would like to know that the slightest sprinkle isn't going to result in immediate runs and appear to lose all protection.

Any suggestions?
 
Thanks BMW. Looking at the price, Wolfgang sure is proud of this product. Is this similar to a black wow, meaning a very little product goes a long way?
 
Just a couple quick comments--
Regarding "deep cleaning" with alcohol and strong cleaners, this is necessary to get products to bond to the best of their ability. If you deep cleaned weekly with harsh chemicals and detergents/solvents/surfactants, sure, you'll see degradation of the substrates. So, think of this more like "once and done" (although you'll obviously do it again down the road when it's time to reapply). It's more a problem when people repeatedly employ a "bad practice", such as washing with Dawn dish soap once a week. A deep clean here and there is necessary to preserve rubber and plastic. And detailing products are formulated to be a safe as possible for our task at hand.

Mike has a good article on the forum about "silicones". Maybe you can find it... I can't seem to find it at the moment. In short, there's some bad info floating around. Silicones contribute to the effectiveness of a lot of products. They're not "across-the-board-bad". Rule of thumb- if AG sells it, it's probably a good product (and almost certainly isn't gonna do damage). By the way- Wolfgang Exterior Trim sealant is awesome. Doesn't change the look much (slightly darkens), but it's effective and lasts and lasts. If your trim is in good shape, it'll keep it in good shape (it also beads ;). Same goes for the Cockpit Trim Sealant. I love 303 for interior, too, and it's nice on top of the Cockpit TS if you want a little more bling.

As for tires, rubber mats, and often trim-- Duragloss Tire and Rubber Dressing (253) is really nice stuff. So is the McKee's Gloss Tire Gel.
 
Thanks Harpolith! The primary concerns are a '15 F350 and '12 Cruze. The trim on the truck is in great condition and I want to keep it that way. Sounds like Wolfgang trim sealant may be the right product. The cruze has not held up as well, despite all the different products I have tried. The rubber on the roof and around the windows (outside, not the door seal) are already cracked, I'll try the wolfgang on it as well. Perhaps I can at least prevent it from getting worse.
 
It depends. A lot of the heavy cleaning and scrubbing is for older more oxidized plastic and rubber. It helps give it a more even appearance.

The alcohol wipe downs may be more to give you good clean surface before a coating application.

I like to work my clay mitt over them while doing the rest of the vehicle. More so on rubber. It really helps pull the oxidation off of the rubber pieces, and you'll see black residue running down the paint.

If you want something that will last, start using a trim sealant or coating. Most dressings have fairly short durability.

I've just starting using the Wolfgang trim sealant, and really like it. A little does go a long way.
 
I use CG VPR, I heard that oil based tend to fade away plastic. I am not sure but rather not find out.
 
UTdetailing said:
Thanks BMW. Looking at the price, Wolfgang sure is proud of this product. Is this similar to a black wow, meaning a very little product goes a long way?
Click to expand...

Wait until they have a good sale with a fixed low shipping rate going on and buy it along with anything else you may need. Thats when I buy my supplies.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
UTdetailing said:
Still learning here.... what is "CG VPR"?
Click to expand...

I think he meant VRP, and the CG is Chemical Guys......I have not used that particular product I have used the Mothers Back to Black Trim Cleaner and it works well....I follow up with Wolfgang Trim Sealant....I have also heard good things about Blackfire Total Trim and Tire Sealant....
 
You have some very good questions and I will try to either answer or confuse you more.

I kind of put exterior, interior, and tires into 3 categories. Saying that you can use products for Interior on exterior and tires, just with less longetivity. I use 303 just for interiors because it doesn't play well with rain. My favorite for exterior trim is Solution Finish and you could follow that with CarPro DLux for even longer lasting protection. For tires, wow, your choices are so varied. Right now I'm using some no longer produced TW Tire Coating product, but there are many, many threads here on what product members like.

Then there is silicones and silicon. That is a whole different article. Keep reading and enjoy the art of detailing.
 
UTdetailing said:
Thanks Harpolith! The primary concerns are a '15 F350 and '12 Cruze. The trim on the truck is in great condition and I want to keep it that way. Sounds like Wolfgang trim sealant may be the right product. The cruze has not held up as well, despite all the different products I have tried. The rubber on the roof and around the windows (outside, not the door seal) are already cracked, I'll try the wolfgang on it as well. Perhaps I can at least prevent it from getting worse.
Click to expand...
There's another method I've read about lately for trim that's in bad shape. I think they're using Solution Finish first and then topping it with WG Exterior Trim Sealant (WETS). But before going that route, I'd see if WETS alone on a test spot gets you where you want to be. A couple coats might just do the trick.

Also, lots of happy users of DLux if you want the ultimate in protection. I've not tried it myself. Pricy.

I've used Ultima Trim and Tire Guard Plus recently, and I found it to be finicky. It doesn't really go down the same on all substrates. Takes a little trial and error. The WETS is just an all around more pleasant experience.
 
WETS is what I recommend. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. I usually use a small cheap MF Rag cut up into 2"x2" Squares. One square will last weeks and once wet with product will go forever. Literally 1-2 drops once primed will do quite a bit.

The B-Pillars on this one were starting to "grey" out. Took a few applications and weeks but eventually the "like new" look stayed and now it doesn't require a reapplication for several weeks or months. Notice the window trim along the bottom of the window where it meets the door. Those are rubber and look new too.



Plastic Grill.....like new: Doesn't soak up a lot like other materials so I retreat this every month or so.



Cowling along windshield was faded to gray. I restored it using ReNu Pro. Once restored, a little WETS keeps it black and beading like brand new. Same with the wiper arms. They now stay black and don't fade or turn any more.






I used the same ReNu Pro on the grill and it too looks new and is simply treated with WETS every couple months.



The toughest peice for me was the rear step cover. It was gray/white with sun damage. Restored with ReNu Pro and treated with WETS monthly. It took 2 treatments of ReNu Pro but it now looks brand new and stays. Here it is beading water from a rain storm.

 
UTdetailing said:
My first post. What a great forum with tons of expertise.

I did search on the topic and found lots of related posts, but nothing I saw answered all my question/s. If I missed it, please accept my apology ahead of time.

When it comes to cleaning and dressing exterior Rubber/Vinyl/Plastic trim (excluding tires) I'm afraid I have maybe read to much, and I find myself completely conflicted.

Cleaning:
I've read that you should periodically "deep clean" with a degreaser or Alcohol solution to remove all previously applied dressings, on the flip side I've read to never use a degreaser or alcohol as it dries out the "natural" oils that prevent the pieces from drying out? Do polymers even have "natural" oils?

Dressing
This is even worse than the cleaning.
  1. Some say silicones are bad, others say silicones are actually good and "nourish" Plastic/Vinyl/Rubber. Then there is the issue of a quadrillion different types of silicones some good and some bad?
  2. Water Based vs. Solvent Based - From the best I can gather, the biggest difference is the "longevity" and "customizability" between the two. Solvent based lasts longer, but you get what the MFG decided as far as shine level. Water based doesn't last as long, but you can dilute to your preferred level of shine?
  3. UV Protection. This seems to be something I can't imagine you wouldn't want to be a top priorities, however some of the most popular dressings I see talked about(Meg's Hyper & All Season) don't seem to offer "UV Blocking" I saw where Meg's themselves said that hyper dressing offers a very "limited" amount of UV blocking?

Below is what I have tried and the reason I am still looking for the "right product"

Meg's Ultimate Protectant - Love the satin/natural finish, but runs and washes off in places with the first three rain drops
303 Aerospace - Again love the finish, although it seemed to be a little more finicky in producing a consistent finish, but again runs and washes off with even the slightest rain/snow
Meg's Ultimate Back to Black - A little too shiny
Mothers VLR - I applied this 3 times and in 10 minutes I couldn't tell if I had applied it at all

I am really tempted to get a gallon of Meg's Hyper Dressing, however my concerns is that it offers little to no UV protection? How does it hold up to rain? I don't expect to get months of protection in a hurricane but I would like to know that the slightest sprinkle isn't going to result in immediate runs and appear to lose all protection.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

everyone says the wolfgang trim sealant is the best
 
another thing to point out i think is right after you apply a sealant, thats not really the finish product. a lot of times it will feel sticky and get dusty but the trim is soaking in the treatment, usually for me after the first wash when i get the excess product off thats when it looks the best?
 
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