Staining of trim?

[CharlesW]

What Meguiar's polishes, waxes, sealants will not stain trim?

[StadiumDetail]

Re: Staining of trim?

As a general rule of thumb all polishes/waxes/sealants will leave a white residue on trim. Now, there are a few exceptions to any rule but it is best that you learn by experimentation. All the residue can be removed with isoprophyl alcohol and as long as it isn't left for days should come off very easily. I know you probably want a list of what works and what doesn't but there are just so many types of trim, brands of cars, differences in years of cars, etc that the list would be impossible to memorize and very long.

I will say that generally smooth plastic trim is safe to be waxed over while textured is a big no no. For example, the late 90s gen Chevy Surburban/Tahoe had this black plastic piece on each side of the rear window that had some grooves in it that made it look like an air vent, anywho this piece looked great waxed becuase it became a nice dark black. I've had some similar plastic pieces that divide front/rear doors on sedans (can't remember specific models) that I tried to wax with terrible results.

If your question was more geared towards "what if I accidently get wax on my trim while waxing my car" that would be a different answer. It would be a better habit to no wax every single millimeter of your car and avoid the trim than to get every spot. Stay 1/2"-1" away from all plastics and edges and you should be good to go. Now a days with clear coated paints a wax is more of a beauty product or something to help with easy cleanup than a requirement product to keep paint from fading.

[CharlesW]

Re: Staining of trim?

My experimentation has allowed me to find several products that do not stain trim.
They do not happen to be Meguiar's products.
I did use almost exclusively Meguiar's products for many years. #6, #26, Medallion Premium Paint Protection, #80, #9, #83, all have seen a lot of use on our vehicles. Then I found out that white residue was not a necessary side effect of polishing and waxing.
While I do still use many Meguiar's products, I find myself using very few of their polishes, sealants and waxes.

Recently, I was thinking that it is possible that Meguiar's may now have products in their line that don't stain trim.
That's the reason for my question.

The products I use right now can be used on smooth plastic for polishing and protecting and don't stain textured plastic if I don't stay 1/2" - 1" away from it. I used to follow that procedure and it is a PIA for me when using a RO polisher. It is even a nuisance by hand when it isn't necessary with so many other products.
My experimentation has allowed me to use products that don't stain trim or leave white residue on quite a few different years and brands of vehicles.

So.... I guess I am looking for specific list of Meguiar's products that will do the same.
If that isn't possible, I'll continue to use what I am using now.

BTW, Great reply even if I don't agree with it 100%.

[Tuck91]

Re: Staining of trim?

Ultimate Quik Wax will not stain trim.

[akimel]

Re: Staining of trim?

I tape up the trim when I polish; hence I do not worry about staining trim when I polish. But I'm a hack and amateur and do not trust myself not to damage trim when I use my D/A. I am presently using Meguiar's SMAT polishes (M105, M205, Ultimate Compound, and SwirlX).

But waxes are a different matter. As Nick has mentioned, Ultimate Quik Wax does not stain trim (great stuff!), and I believe that the same can be said for M26 (though I may be wrong about that). I like to wax every millimeter of the exposed paint, and even though the waxes I use are not supposed to stain trim, I usually go over the trim with a microfiber towel anyway just to make sure that any wax that may have been accidentally applied to it gets removed.

On my wife's CR-V I now use Ultima Paint Guard Plus exclusively and seal both paint and trim with it. It dries clear and provides durable protection.

[StadiumDetail]

Re: Staining of trim?

BTW, Great reply even if I don't agree with it 100%.

It's cool

I read a quote on a forum once "If you have enough knowledge to argue with me, then I wasn't speaking to you." I've always liked that .

From the first post it sounded like you were just a guy looking for an over the counter product at the local parts store, don't know why I took it that way but I did, so I responded on the safe side rather than have someone slather wax all over parts and cracks that shouldn't be waxed. Like you said there are many out there that fit your desires if used properly, as for meguiars I truly don't know what product fits the bill but Michael Stoops will and I'm sure he is going to chime in at some point.