Try the creamy peanut butter -- what have you got to lose? Just try it on a little spot and see if it works -- if it doesn't I _know_ peanut butter comes off with dish soap.
! I thought you might laugh at me because some people in the world think that peanut butter is only a strange American phenomenon. (This is especially true of Australians I've met!) Glad to hear that you actually eat the stuff, too!
Ever tried peanut butter, banana, and mayonaise? It sounds strange, but it's really tasty! Yum! (By the way, I eat peanut butter about 5 days/week -- tasty and nutritious!)
Anyone tried good old BOOT POLISH black of course....
I use to use it when showing my classic 1071S at shows.
Its great for getting a "New" finish on tires, so I have tested it on my new Cooper's front apron and in cleans away dead fly marks and over polish really well......only trouble is that it takes a bit of elbow grease so if you don't like cleaning your shoes don't bother
The only thing I would worry about with boot polish, is if it was in some way harmful to the plastic. Perhaps it contains a mild solvent, as leather goods care products often do. These tricks are pretty neat though... Before things like tire shine was invented, I'd imagine a boot polish would do nicely.
Of course, fantastic car products are available. They range from good to superb, and the best ones are easy to use.
For that reason, the little $5 bottle of Mother's Back-to-Black can't be beat. It goes on easy, cleans and protects, makes the black trim black again, and really doesn't do anything to the paint, nor shows on the paint. Considering how much black trim is on the MINI, it lasts a good while too - both the shine lasts, and the contents of the bottle... A little goes a long way. Can't lose. It doesn't really require any elbow grease either, you can just wipe it on in a single pass.
I know all this sounds extreme for a bottle of goo, but this wax on the arches thing is going to be a typical MINI problem, and this is an easy solution. Might as well let people know about it.
Chilli Red/White Cooper S, Sport Pack & Sunroof. Delivered June 12th, 2002!
Now with MCS Winter Tire Package.
I suppose it depends on what polish youve got on your arches but when I got a bit on mine (turtlewax showroom) it came off pretty much straight away first I rubbed most off with a plain dry cloth then I applied a couple of coats of Autoglym Bumper Care, works a treat.
Yeah, you're right. Some of these once-a-year, 3-step, fully synthetic polishes are pretty damn permanent on the spats. The better it looks on the paint, the worse it looks on the textured vinyl.
Chilli Red/White Cooper S, Sport Pack & Sunroof. Delivered June 12th, 2002!
Now with MCS Winter Tire Package.
Noahe knows whereof he speaks. I just bought and used some Back-to-Black. Great stuff.
Anyone know of a good vinyl upholstery treatment that gives a flat or mat finish? Preferably something that can be bought at an auto part store in the US?
I have used the Autoglym Bumper Care and after a week or so it shows through again.
The car was waxed with another Auto Glym product.
The Back to Black stuff mentioned from users in the USA and Canada, is it available overseas? There is a product in the UK with the same name, thickish black coloured liquid.
Might give that a go.
To be honest, my bumpers are probably not bad at all but i am becoming paranoid and see everyone looking at the bumpers and not ME )
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! I thought you might laugh at me because some people in the world think that peanut butter is only a strange American phenomenon. (This is especially true of Australians I've met!) Glad to hear that you actually eat the stuff, too! 
black of course....
so if you don't like cleaning your shoes don't bother
Chilli Red/White Cooper S, Sport Pack & Sunroof. Delivered June 12th, 2002!
)
