When I bought my truck the dealer talked me into this special kit of cleaners and wax. Well I got the "special" wax on some of the plastic (Bed and Tailgate caps) and I can't get it off. Anybody have any ideas how to restore the plastic?The white streaks from the wax really look bad to me.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Mothers makes a product that cleans black plastic, its called Back to Black, works wonders on those types of issues. Try a bottle of this stuff, a little goes a long way. Should clean it right up.

 

If Back to Black doesn't work, try using WD-40 and either a cloth rag or a toothbrush. Works like a champ and no discoloration.

One thing though, if you are considering the "Magic Eraser" be sure to do a search. I'm not speaking from personal experience but I've read a few posts that it tends to erase a little too much of the black plastic.

 

Mineral Spirits And A Tooth Brush Should Do The Trick!

 

Well all I can say is this was a huge issue for me. I have an fx4 and what a bitch when you get a little wax on any plastic. the painted plastic flairs on the lariat would be fine but i'd imagine other areas on the lariate would not.

Basicaly mask off all plastic (other than painted plastic) before waxing you cannot say i will be carefull and not get any on the plastic, does not work. That masking is crucial. Now there are waxes that dont stain plastic or so people say but i'm not sure if that is true or if true how good that wax might be.

Now your problem how do you fix? First off I tried a tooth brush and a # of powefull cleaners with no luck what so ever. methal hydrate , solvent degreser nothing helped at all. maybe there is some cleaner that works but i am unaware of it.

Then I went to mother back to black. All I could say was wow better than new. Problem was lasted only about 3 or 4 week then completly returned as wax stained plastic.

So I went and tried Mr Clean Magic Eraser. Hey it really seemed to remove the wax off the plastic that was a couple of months ago.

I believe this Mr clean stuff works. has so far for me
but be advised people have claimed it can ruin certian plastic so test in a hidden area first.

Once you are confident you have wax off use mother back to black that stuff is great but only last a few weeks.

Most importantly always mask any unpainted plastic or flat black or rubber material before waxing could save you a ton of grief in the long run.

Good luck.

 

Fast Orange Smooth on a terry cloth towel. Also have had luck with the Tub of mechanic hand cleaning towels. Just don't rub the paint with either.

 

The BLACK trim is coarse so when I wax I put a soft toothbrush in my mouth and use it too clean the trim real quick .No Problem for me .

 

Griot's Garage makes a wax remover for those kinds of mistakes.

 

May also....wanna try a product from Meguiar's ....in the "Professional Choice" line up called 'All Purpose Cleaner' on the label... The reps from Meg. (and the label) gear it torward being an interior surface cleaner and spotlifter but from detailing other vehicles and my own.. it works well to get the surface back to an OEM look. It also does not contain the Petroleum and silicone additives that could... in the long-run harm the rubber and plastic exterior trim (esp. if you live in hotter / sunnier climates). Im by no means knocking the effects and abilities of the Mother's protection/ restoration products...I jus personally (IMO) find other uses for it on the vehicle(s).

 

jus a bit of FyI on the product i spoke of earlier... It works very well on the stubborn stains embedded within the leather and vinyl trim and panels AND carpet on the interiors of vehicle(s) as well...

 

Peanut butter....it sounds stupid, but it really works! There was a post on a BMW forums where a guy had really discolored black plastic trim, he did a side by side comparison of other products and peanut butter, and the peanut butter made it look brand new!

Give it a shot, its probably in your kitchen right now. If you dont like it, then you can go to the store, but if it works, then you saved a few bucks.

 

when that happens to mine i go to the car wash and use the pressure wash to get it off. comes right off for me.

 

Palominomike: many of the items mentioned above work to a more or lesser degree. Use the same logic that you would use with cleaning your paint prior to polish/wax. Use the mildest chemical first. I have found 9X out of 10 that Simple Green and a toothbrush - similar to what gpeade said but with a milder chemical - will remove the wax residue. If you must resort to mineral spirits or acetone, be sure to wash your plastic well to remove any residue from the harsher chemical.

Russ