wax on plastic... help!
wax on plastic... help!
got my car "detailed" by a recommended guy... boy, that was a mistake. 
When i dropped it off, the detailer had his "helper" there that day to help out....
long story short, i can only assume his "helper" did the final wax on my car. Because it not only has wax in every damn crevice on the car, it's on every rubber and plastic piece too!
the crevices are easy, not worried about that.
but how do i get wax off plastic??? i thought everybody knew to avoid plastic when waxing...
obviously not this "helper"
live and learn.
thanks in advance everybody
When i dropped it off, the detailer had his "helper" there that day to help out....
long story short, i can only assume his "helper" did the final wax on my car. Because it not only has wax in every damn crevice on the car, it's on every rubber and plastic piece too!
the crevices are easy, not worried about that.
but how do i get wax off plastic??? i thought everybody knew to avoid plastic when waxing...
obviously not this "helper"
live and learn.
thanks in advance everybody
Try 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover.
Should do the trick, but might require a bit of rubbing.
Might work and remove it completely, might only improve it slightly, you don't know until you try, but this stuff is ALOT better than using rubbing alcohol or some all purpose cleaner.
Should do the trick, but might require a bit of rubbing.
Might work and remove it completely, might only improve it slightly, you don't know until you try, but this stuff is ALOT better than using rubbing alcohol or some all purpose cleaner.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
I use APC and a tooth brush for cleaning dried wax on exterior grained vinyl/plastic trim. I use an old MF towel and APC for smooth plastic and rubber trim. I wipe down the cleaned areas with a wrung out MF towel to be sure to remove any traces of APC once the trim is clean.
I protect exterior vinyl/plastic trim with Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, a.k.a. D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax in their Detailer product line, or Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax on this type of exterior trim as it doesn't stain or dry white and honestly works better than most dedicated vinyl and trim dressings. The reason this stuff works so well is that it is not really wax but a synthetic sealant, doesn't dry white and it offers durable long lasting protection with a nice satin sheen. It also doesn't run down the sides of your paint in the rain like so many vinyl protectants do.
When I run across a car that has dried wax in the cracks and crevices I use an old pink eraser to remove it. You can cut the rubber eraser with a razor blade to fit into even the smallest crevices and it works like a charm.
I protect exterior vinyl/plastic trim with Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, a.k.a. D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax in their Detailer product line, or Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax on this type of exterior trim as it doesn't stain or dry white and honestly works better than most dedicated vinyl and trim dressings. The reason this stuff works so well is that it is not really wax but a synthetic sealant, doesn't dry white and it offers durable long lasting protection with a nice satin sheen. It also doesn't run down the sides of your paint in the rain like so many vinyl protectants do.
When I run across a car that has dried wax in the cracks and crevices I use an old pink eraser to remove it. You can cut the rubber eraser with a razor blade to fit into even the smallest crevices and it works like a charm.
Last edited by jfelbab; Jul 27, 2014 at 06:31 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
IMHO, no quality detailer would ever deliver a vehicle with wax in the crevices and on the trim. This is a dead giveaway as to his qualifications, personal standards and abilities. Even if he personally didn't do the work, it is his responsibility to insure quality at his shop.
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Try 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover.
Should do the trick, but might require a bit of rubbing.
Might work and remove it completely, might only improve it slightly, you don't know until you try, but this stuff is ALOT better than using rubbing alcohol or some all purpose cleaner.
Should do the trick, but might require a bit of rubbing.
Might work and remove it completely, might only improve it slightly, you don't know until you try, but this stuff is ALOT better than using rubbing alcohol or some all purpose cleaner.
IMHO, no quality detailer would ever deliver a vehicle with wax in the crevices and on the trim. This is a dead giveaway as to his qualifications, personal standards and abilities. Even if he personally didn't do the work, it is his responsibility to insure quality at his shop.
let me know, i'd be happy to get some suggestions
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[QUOTE=96SC4;8645767i'm in Dutchess County, NY... very close to the CT. border side, actually
let me know, i'd be happy to get some suggestions[/QUOTE]
Sorry... don't know anyone nearby. I know several people in NY, but they all seem to be 1.5-2.5 hours away from there.
As far as removing the wax. You can simply use Isopropyl Alcohol (aka - IPA or rubbing alcohol). Dilute the solution 50% water 50% alcohol. Apply to a microfiber towel, and rub the trim. IPA is used to chemically strip wax or polishing oil from paint, so beware that if it is on the paint, it may remove or degrade the wax or sealant that is there.
You can rub the trim with a towel, or spray the trim and agitate with a stiff bristled brush (like a tooth brush).
-Zach
let me know, i'd be happy to get some suggestions[/QUOTE]
Sorry... don't know anyone nearby. I know several people in NY, but they all seem to be 1.5-2.5 hours away from there.
As far as removing the wax. You can simply use Isopropyl Alcohol (aka - IPA or rubbing alcohol). Dilute the solution 50% water 50% alcohol. Apply to a microfiber towel, and rub the trim. IPA is used to chemically strip wax or polishing oil from paint, so beware that if it is on the paint, it may remove or degrade the wax or sealant that is there.
You can rub the trim with a towel, or spray the trim and agitate with a stiff bristled brush (like a tooth brush).
-Zach
Sorry... don't know anyone nearby. I know several people in NY, but they all seem to be 1.5-2.5 hours away from there.
As far as removing the wax. You can simply use Isopropyl Alcohol (aka - IPA or rubbing alcohol). Dilute the solution 50% water 50% alcohol. Apply to a microfiber towel, and rub the trim. IPA is used to chemically strip wax or polishing oil from paint, so beware that if it is on the paint, it may remove or degrade the wax or sealant that is there.
You can rub the trim with a towel, or spray the trim and agitate with a stiff bristled brush (like a tooth brush).
-Zach
As far as removing the wax. You can simply use Isopropyl Alcohol (aka - IPA or rubbing alcohol). Dilute the solution 50% water 50% alcohol. Apply to a microfiber towel, and rub the trim. IPA is used to chemically strip wax or polishing oil from paint, so beware that if it is on the paint, it may remove or degrade the wax or sealant that is there.
You can rub the trim with a towel, or spray the trim and agitate with a stiff bristled brush (like a tooth brush).
-Zach
thanks guys
will be tackling this job this week... nice weather in NY
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