Wax on, wax off

[Danny45]

From the below picture, you can see I have a nightmare of a vehicle to wax. No matter how diligent I am, I get wax on all that plastic. What do you recommend for taking wax off all that plastic molding and flares that inevitably gets it on them?

I've heard mineral spirits is good, but I've also heard that it will remove all wax if gotten on painted finishes. I've also heard (get this) that peanut butter will take off wax overflow as will peanut oil. Since I don't want to remove any wax on painted surfaces next to the plastic, and I'd prefer not to have any squirrels chewing on my truck, what do you recommend?

[kuhlguy71]

I use the blue painter's masking tape to mask off the trim near the painted areas I plan on waxing. This tape can be found at most hardware stores.

Below is 2hotford's method (sorry 2hotford, I don't have a pic of my masking and I remember seeing yours in a previous post )


Also, I use Trim Detailer to remove the wax that may have snuck onto any trim. This also helps it maintain it's "new" look and luster.


Hope this helps!

[Rick]

#39 works really well to get wax off of trim. But it is much easier to tape the trim off first before waxing to avoid getting it on there in the first place.

[Danny45]

Damn, I knew there was a reason I joined this site. Nobody has ever mentioned taping off that stuff before. Great idea! Thanks!!!

[Mike Phillips]

Not only is taping off to prevent residue on trim, but it's also good to prevent product splatter from getting into cracks and crevices and grills as well as off things like windshields etc.



Then when you're done, remove the tape and cover material. You'll save yourself a lot of clean-up time.



Then if you do everything just right, you can go from this,



to this,







Mike

[gb387]

I agree with the tape... I always tape plastic off... well. now. Only after spending more time removing wax from trim, when it would have been quicker to tape off. Pick up a couple sizes of the blue painters tape and keep them handy, you fender flairs look like a good target for tape.

I don't go as far as 2hotford or mike but I guess with a rotary you may have to.

[benhui86]

wd40 works great to take off old wax residues on plastic

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I knew I recognized that bedsheet from somewhere!!

Seriously, I tape everything when I am using a rotary buffer as no matter how hard you try, you get sling!

However, if using a PC, I will tape up areas where there is a possibility of the buffer coming in contact with. So while I do not tape up as much when using a PC, I still do tape up areas.

Tim

[wblynch]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Not only is taping off to prevent residue on trim, but it's also good to prevent product splatter from getting into cracks and crevices and grills as well as off things like windshields etc.

---
Then when you're done, remove the tape and cover material. You'll save yourself a lot of clean-up time.

---
Then if you do everything just right, you can go from this,

---
to this,

Mike

Wow Mike, reminds me I've got to get to work on that '63 Vette that's been sitting in my garage.

You've really inspired me, now that I see how good it can look.

Thanks, Bill

[wblynch]

By the way, did you use the G-100 on that Vette, or a rotary?

Thanks once again.

[RCBuddha]

Best non-chemical solution for getting wax stains off plastic trim:

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Magic Eraser Linky

I got one that had two erasers for like $1.89....Just dampen, squeeze excess water out, and rub on trim. The eraser will dissolve as you use it, and you may have to rub with a fair amount of pressure. But, its works quite effectively. I'll shoot some pics tommorrow... Wipe clean, and add trim dressing (I like Meguiar's Natural Shine).

[dschribs]

Wipe your trim with whatever protectant you use on the plastic BEFORE you wax, the wax will have a difficult time staining dressed trim. Also, you can use this to remove the wax that is already on the plastic:

Wax Remover

[Superior Shine]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

I knew I recognized that bedsheet from somewhere!!

I don't use bed sheets anymore. Ever since that night , 2 minutes after going to bed my wife jumps out of bed and turns on the light and asks, "IS THAT DIAMOND CUT I SMELL? AGAIN?
STOP USING THE SHEETS!!"

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
I don't use bed sheets anymore. Ever since that night , 2 minutes after going to bed my wife jumps out of bed and turns on the light and asks, "IS THAT DIAMOND CUT I SMELL? AGAIN?
STOP USING THE SHEETS!!"

Hey Joe,

I know what you mean!!!

My wife is still wondering what happened to those sheets!!


Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by wblynch
By the way, did you use the G-100 on that Vette, or a rotary?

Thanks once again.

After taping the car off we used a two step rotary process followed by Speed Glaze on the dual action polisher with the W-8006 foam polishing pad.

First pass with the rotary was with #84 Compound Power Cleaner with a W-7006 foam cutting pad, then #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish with a W-8006 foam polishing pad.

Mike