How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

[EkS]

Hey guys, just bought a car and it looks like the previous owner waxed the car. The only problem is that it looks like he was careless and got some wax on the black parts of the car that shouldn't be waxed and some are black plastic.

How to I remove this? I don't just want to make the black plastic shine, but I want to clean it. I can post pictures if necessary.

Any advise?

[Carfire]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Some People Use Peanut Butter, But I Did Not Get Lasting Results.
I Used Mother Back to Black and a Terry Towel, Which Worked.
Or Use a Brush with Short Bristles to Scrub it Out.
Or Try Using Isopropyl Alcohol and Rubbing.
Or a Block Pencil Eraser.

[Tuck91]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

i like using APC for this, sometimes if its not that much i just squirt a little last touch and wipe with a microfiber

[TxRado]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Subscribing. I've wondered this myself for quite some time now.

[mb911]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

To clean plastic, trim, rubber, you can use #39. Then you could follow with #40 or Trim Detailer, to make it look really black/shiny again, but you don't want that you said.

Thing is if you clean it with like #39, it probably won't look very uniform after, which is why I'd want to put something on top of it.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

#39 would be a great choice, as would APC or APC+. Start with a scrub brush or a tooth brush, and then finish with a terry or microfiber towel.

M40 would also be a mild cleaner that also leaves fantastic protection. I use M40 very regularly for a matte finish on black plastics.

[TimG]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

+1 with everyone. Googone

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

+1 with everyone. Googone

Have you ever noticed Goo Gone drying out plastics? I haven't tried, but it seems like it might be possible. Maybe?

[TimG]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Yes. I believe its some kinda off degreaser therefore I always follow it up with a protectant (ie: M40, HD, ASD, GC Trim Detailer, etc)

I think the easiest way to start cleaning is to use your current car wash solution and with a soft brush, clean the plastics that is affected with the wax residue.

If that does not work, then slowly move up to another type of cleaner (ie: all purpose cleaners, dedicated plastic cleaners - say M39, GooGone, Industrial grease&wax remover - being the last resort)

Again this depends on the type of plastics you trying to tackle.

Cheers,

Tim

[jfelbab]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

For tight areas I use pink erasers. I trim them with a razor blade to the shape best suited to getting at the crevices. I also like the eraser pencil for around the emblems. For broad expanses of plastic, #39 does a good job.

FWIW, I now use UQW for waxing around these areas as it doesn't dry white and works well on plastic, even textured plastic.

[electricgreen]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

When I bought my car, the dealership had left wax on the edges of the black plastic mirrors and cowl cover. I used Gold Class trim detailer and a soft toothbrush, took ti right off, then I did the whole plastic piece and it also restored it to deep black instead of brownish black.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Yes. I believe its some kinda off degreaser therefore I always follow it up with a protectant (ie: M40, HD, ASD, GC Trim Detailer, etc)

I think the easiest way to start cleaning is to use your current car wash solution and with a soft brush, clean the plastics that is affected with the wax residue.

If that does not work, then slowly move up to another type of cleaner (ie: all purpose cleaners, dedicated plastic cleaners - say M39, GooGone, Industrial grease&wax remover - being the last resort)

Again this depends on the type of plastics you trying to tackle.

Cheers,

Tim

Good info, thanks Tim!

[EkS]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Good tips guys! Where do I get this APC or #39 at? Or what are there actual names? I'm not a detail guru, so I don't know those products.

BTW this is for a Corvette, and the piece is the back plastic piece that's around the exhaust. It's got some texture to it, so I'll be a little tough.

[Nappers]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

I have used M40, Microfiber cloth and elbow grease and never had a problem.

[mb911]

Re: How to remove wax residue from black plastic parts?

Good tips guys! Where do I get this APC or #39 at? Or what are there actual names? I'm not a detail guru, so I don't know those products.

BTW this is for a Corvette, and the piece is the back plastic piece that's around the exhaust. It's got some texture to it, so I'll be a little tough.

auto detailing solutions certainly have these products.