White wax residue on black plastic surround

[Shep]

I can't remove white residue from my recent wax job. It's on the black plastic surrounds to the wheel arches etc. Obviously, next time I'll be more careful to avoid getting any on the plastic, but it's hard to avoid altogether.

I tried mineral oil that someone on this forum had suggested, but it didn't work well. Any thoughts from you detailing experts?

Please don't tell me to use some super-expensive wax--I'm not interested in such products! I just want (I think) a good solvent that'll get regular wax off without damaging the plastic.

I used Nu Finish. I may use Turtle Wax Emerald next time.

[tfisher]

I get it out with a soft brush (tooth brush, nail brush) dipped in hot water.

[Tom D]

Go to Autozone, get some Mothers Back To Black, it did the job for me.

[gromit]

Quote:

Originally posted by Shep

Please don't tell me to use some super-expensive wax--I'm not interested in such products! I just want (I think) a good solvent that'll get regular wax off without damaging the plastic.

I used Nu Finish. I may use Turtle Wax Emerald next time.

At least use Meguiars...Not super-expensive and there will be an obvious visual difference when you are done. It will protect your (not insignificant) investment in your MINI. You're going to spend the same time waxing anyway, the Meguiars will at least do a good job.

Mothers 'back to black' will fix up your trim problem. Mother's waxes are OK too.

Nu Finish and *any* of the Turtle wax lines are substandard products. IMHO, YMMV.

[paddy]

try a soft toothbrush along with isopropyl alcohol. This has worked for me and then use Back-2-Black.

[paulmon]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom D
Go to Autozone, get some Mothers Back To Black, it did the job for me.

I've used this and it did a very good job.

Paul

[Smokey 4]

Peanut Butter, then a clean wash, then back to black or Meguiars gold class trim protectant. The gold class can be used on any color of plastic or vinyl, restores a close to new look to the plastics.

[Grinder]

What's the proper use of the peanut butter? Let it sit for a while? Scrub? Please fill me in here....

[Smokey 4]

I started at one wheel and applied to the wax marks, worked my way around the car (I had about 2 per wheel arch) by the time I got back to the beginning I took a old tooth brush and gently worked it in to the spot. Then washed the car as normal, you could see the areas where the PB was, oil tends to remain, so extra wash at those spots, then my normal dry and treat with Gold Class Trim goop. Haven't had to retreat since and that was back in end of Aug time frame.

[Grinder]

So this trim goop stuff makes the plastic wax-resistant??

[Smokey 4]

My wax residue hasn't come back, but I credit that to the PB. Just got the bottle from the garage, (took a couple of minutes as I was looking at the cooper). It's called "Trim Detailer" in the gold class product line of Meguiars products.

Here's what the back says: "Quickly removes unwanted contaminants and wax residue, use on all porous and non-porous surfaces. Lasts for weeks not days.

Although it might last for weeks, I wash my car about three times a week, and reapply this once a week. I have noticed that since it doesn't wear off as quickly it tends to "collect" dust. I wash the areas that I've applied this to, last so that I don't contaminant my wash sponges.

There was someone posting that talked about a product from Eagle-One, that waxed and didn't leave residue on the black plastic. As I am not a fan of their products I didn't pay much attention to the name, sorry. I believe that either zymol or zaino also make a plastic safe product.

[Jimbo_Mini]

And it's very affordable too.

http://www.zainobros.com

-Jim

[cordial]

My wheelarches and other trim have looked awful from the start, so I was very happy to come across this thread. Having no peanut butter at home, I tried peanut oil and it works WONDERS. Thanks for your help!

cordial

[lotuseatsvipers]

I'm graduating up to zaino very soon (just can't escape the freaking hype) but in the meantime meguiar's trim detailer worked wonders on all that outside plastic. Gave it a nice look and eradicated all signs of wax residue (blegh!).

[boblap]

I just tried the peanut butter fix and it worked great!! finished it up with Back to Black.

Thanks a lot