Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

[LzyDazy]

Is it true that if you apply a dressing on the plastics (black) and vinyl (stripes, etc) that you can then wax (NXT2.0) right over them and not cause any issues and it will look great?
Thanx

[jlgrrt]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

I don't know about the stripes, but I have used this trick for years, on my plastic trim parts, It does not mean you can be sloppy but if you do get some wax on your plastic parts while waxing it makes it very easy to clean up. So that is why I do it.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

You also reduce the chance of ruining your perfect finish by introducing oils from the over spray.

along those same lines, many people attack the interior before the exterior wash in case the dusting and vacuum kick up dust and particles that land on the paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

First, seeing that this is your first post on our forum...

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

We take pride in doing our best to share real-world accurate information that will help you to be successful when you go out into your garage and work on your car.


Now on to your post...

Is it true that if you apply a dressing on the plastics (black) and vinyl (stripes, etc) that you can then wax (NXT2.0) right over them and not cause any issues and it will look great?
Thanx

Wow!

Where did you read or learn this?

Just to be clear, Meguiar's does NOT endorse this idea and if you try it you may be severely disappointed.

Meguiar's' teaches people to slow down and pay attention to what they're doing and to not be sloppy when applying wax to their car.

If you want to take an extra step to prevent getting a paint cleaner, polish or wax on your car's trim then tape the trim off with some blue painters tape.

My experience is that even with a dressing on black pebble textured trim some products will still adhere to the trim and stain it.

I hope there isn't a thread on some other forum actually endorsing and/or teaching the technique/suggestion you posted here.

Here's some more of these...

[LzyDazy]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

Tanx for the quick responses. Well, I am super new to detailing actually I have never wax'd a vehicle before. Just cleaned my truck with some car soap and all was good. But, now I have a car that will need some TLC and I want to do it right.

Yes, I was told to dress the plastics and vinyl and then just treat it like the rest of the car, oh and clear bra also. So, basically your saying HOLD UP, DON'T DO THAT!
Tape off the vinyl and plastics then wax and then there will be no worries, yeah? Also, how do I handle a clear bra?

Oh, and can one (rather should I say, should one) clay a clear bra and vinyl?

Thanx again.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

Yes, I was told to dress the plastics and vinyl and then just treat it like the rest of the car, oh and clear bra also. So, basically your saying HOLD UP, DON'T DO THAT!

That would be called the "Bubba Method" or "Billy Bobbing it". We don't recommend it and you do it at your own risk.

Tape off the vinyl and plastics then wax and then there will be no worries, yeah?

Tape off or slow down and be careful, your choice.

Also, how do I handle a clear bra?

The plastic used to make a clear bra is soft and mailable, this means it will scratch easily but in most cases it will be difficult to remove the swirls and scratches so wash softly and while we do have some plastic polishes what most people do is apply NXT Tech Wax to these surfaces.

Oh, and can one (rather should I say, should one) clay a clear bra and vinyl?

Thanx again.

No, these clear bras are too soft and will scratch too easily.

[LzyDazy]

Re: Dressing Plastics and Vinyl before Wax?

Thanks Mike for the great info and everyone else. I certainly feel more confident now when the time comes to tackle this job.

From all I have gathered, I will dress the vinyl and plastics and then tape them off, then wax.