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Posted by: Bigs Jul 24 2007, 11:28 AM

As I have noticed MANY topics on how to remove wax off trim, I decided to open a bran new one, PIN it and hopefully, people will see it at first glance!


The 70% Rubbing Alcohol with kitchen sponge with abrasive side method!

This method I tested a few weeks back and it really works! You may alternate the kitchen sponge with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

Use the alcohol to drench the sponge. Rub the trim with the abrasive side. (You should start seing the wax come off and spread over) Wipe with the other side of the sponge (non-abrasive side OR use a damp cloth to wipe). Repeat the steps if required. Dress trim with your favorite dressing.

TIP: Don't hit the paint with the sponge!


The Mr Clean Magic Eraser method!

Simple, use water and the eraser and go nuts. You may also use a detergent if it's tougher selants/waxes. Wipe with a damp cloth afterwards.

TIP: Don't hit the paint!


Poorboy's Trim Restorer and a good sponge!(not really a household product but...)

This used to be my own method prior to Alcohol... Same steps as above. The only issue, this is a restorer and will leave wet looking marks over your paint if you get some on. You can take those marks off with a good m/f towel.

This method takes a bit more time as it's a combo product. It dresses and restores trim but does take more elbow grease to obtain the results.


Forever Black is a product that some people have used with mixed emotions. I don't recommend spending the cash for this. Using the household products above and then dress the trim with a good dressing should be cheaper for ya!
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/foreverblack.htm



Now, this is a thread on HOW TO REMOVE WAX from trim, not how to dress trim. So basically, Mother B2B doesn't work as it dresses trim only and does not remove wax, this goes for a ton of other dressing also.

I will keep adding to it as I find or test other ways/products.

Posted by: ewang Jul 24 2007, 12:01 PM

quick question... Will the alcohol actually damage the paint? Or just remove wax from the paint?

Posted by: Bigs Jul 24 2007, 12:15 PM

It won't damage paint as it evaporates very fast. The worst it may do is remove the wax that is on there... But that's up to the person that applies to test and take it easy if it drips all over!

Posted by: ewang Aug 6 2007, 12:38 PM

I just read somewhere that creamy peanut butter will also take it off.

Posted by: saturn Aug 6 2007, 02:19 PM

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

don't rub it on the paint it is pretty abrasive and will remove the finish (or at least make it dull)

but not abrasive enough to rip up or melt plastic

just enough to remove wax and salt and dirt

trust me. it's perfect for trim. they're cheap and disposable. just use water.

Posted by: Bigs Aug 7 2007, 06:48 AM

Well, I wouldn't want to use PB when all the options above work!

Posted by: ewang Aug 7 2007, 06:50 AM

I tried the alcohol the other night. everything looked black for awhile, but then the white came back!

Posted by: Bigs Aug 7 2007, 07:04 AM

Repeat the steps. If you don't pass behind with another damp cloth the wax will stay on.

You can do this with an m/f towel intead of using a sponge.

I know the wax will show afterward as it wasn't taken away with another cloth. I did one pass with a sponge and the other pass with an m/f towel to remove the excess wax.

It works, you just have to do it right!

Posted by: ewang Aug 7 2007, 12:10 PM

okay... I used an old toothbrush and then rinsed with water. Your method sounds better. Thanks!

Posted by: Bigs Aug 7 2007, 12:13 PM

It's so funny as I'm in a discussion on my detailing site about this!

What happens with alcohol especially in HOT weather is the alc. evaporates quickly and well the wax re-dries back on. You can go over small sections at a time and that should do the trick.

You should have seen the wax come right off but when I didn't remove it quick enough, it would smudge right back on!

Posted by: ewang Aug 8 2007, 06:59 AM

I have found the answer!!! Peanut butter works like a charm!!! I tried the alcohol Bigs, but it didnt work for me!

PEANUT BUTTER!!!! Try it! You won't regret it!!!!

Posted by: saturn Aug 8 2007, 07:30 AM

your car is going to smell like jif.

Posted by: Bigs Aug 8 2007, 08:04 AM

PB will only dress the trim, it won't remove the wax! You'll see after a few weeks it will come back!

Man, you must be doing something wrong with the alcohol!

Posted by: saturn Aug 8 2007, 08:12 AM

depending on what brand peanut butter you use, it could actually make the problem worse, as peanut butter tends to have preservative waxes in it...

like I've said a million times:

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - get rid of all of the wax and dirt

then use a dressing to keep them looking good and keep the wax out

Posted by: Bigs Aug 8 2007, 08:35 AM

Bingo! The thread also metions HOW TO REMOVE WAX and not how to dress the trim!

Posted by: ewang Aug 8 2007, 12:15 PM

Crap... I guess we will see in a few weeks. For now, it looks brand spankin' new.

As far as the alcohol, what percentage did you use? The really strong isopropyl?

Posted by: saturn Aug 8 2007, 12:55 PM

careful: strong solvents can cause the plastic to fade to gray

then you'll be paying to get them painted

stick to the magic erasers, they use plain soap.

Posted by: jayguy173 Jan 14 2008, 02:37 PM

Glass cleaner works for wiping off wax stuck on car.

Posted by: spawn again Dec 18 2009, 11:20 PM

Peanut oil! It really works here. and is very safe.

Posted by: Dlancer Apr 5 2010, 09:49 PM

Yep. The guys on Jeepforum swear by this method for use on all the black plastic fenders and such on Jeeps.

Posted by: MalibuJack Apr 6 2010, 08:42 AM

Before I wax my ride this year (got a brand new orbital buffer I am eager to use), I think I will try to apply painters tape to all the black trim. The way I see it, is the paint should be harmless and less sticky than say masking tape, but still protect the black trim from accidental bumps from the buffer....

Any thoughts?

Posted by: Bigs Apr 6 2010, 10:03 AM

I do this also but sometimes that painters tape doesn't stick... I used regular masking tape... It's only for a few hours anyways...

Posted by: Rocket Sep 4 2010, 08:56 AM

Hi Guys, Thanks to Forum member "sarge", i have successfully made my exterior trim look black again.

First, here is the car and the offending side strips -







sarge suggested i try Kiwi Shoe Polish -



Here is my method. First i washed the strips with Wax and Grease Remover, although a simple wash with detergent would suffice -



Next i used masking tape to protect the new paint on the car -





Then i applied the first coat. It is always best to apply several thin coats rather than one heavy coat. Just allow it to dry between coats.
The results were immediate -



Allowed about one hour between coats. The following photos show why it is necessary to mask off the painted areas -





Was so happy with the results that i decided to also do the rear quarter side window area



Gently removed the masking tape after it had dried for a couple of hours. Here is the end result -







sarge thanks very much. It works extremely well.

Rocket.

Posted by: sarge Sep 4 2010, 05:41 PM

That really compliments that shiny new paint job (which is awesome BTW).

You know I never even thought to do the rear window - think I'll do that next time I get out to wash my car. Oh, hey you should enter into the detailing contest that's nearly ending..... though you've got a better advantage being freshly painted.

Posted by: Rocket Sep 5 2010, 06:52 AM

sarge, The rear quarter window rubbers were looking very faded. The Kiwi Polish made it look so much better.

I do not feel that this car is ready to be entered into a contest - yet. Have seen the gorgeous cars the people on this site own. Makes mine look very plain! Perhaps after i fit some decent alloy wheels and maybe a mild body kit it might be up to scratch.

Rocket.

Posted by: 1045mn Apr 27 2011, 06:27 PM

the best thing that i use is a pink pearl eraser. its just like using it on paper and it works great!

Posted by: jamhandman Apr 27 2011, 08:32 PM

I like this, what about using painters tape?

Posted by: pitpndlm Aug 19 2011, 12:15 AM

Ive used Meguiars back to black with success. It does remove the wax and put a nice uv-resistant coating on the black surfaces. If I get any on the paint, a paper towel with quickie touchup spray wax works well to remove it.

Posted by: mlumz Aug 19 2011, 12:49 AM

Meguirs back to black is a good product but it fades and leavea a white residue ( ie wax). The best I've seen is the kiwi shoe polish

Posted by: mlumz Jul 12 2012, 12:45 PM

So I finally did the peanut oil treatment on the black molding. It looks great and no more white molding.

peanut oil


revived black trim


white trim

Posted by: silvergls Jul 13 2012, 01:01 AM

Stoner's Trim Shine is what I use on my black plastic trims. I gets out the wax residue as well as putting down a nice protective shine. I spray it directly on the surface with a microfibre rag to buff it in. Also I use the rag to help direct the spray by covering areas I don't want it, such as on the glass or waxed finish. Great stuff and really easy to work with.

Posted by: songee623 Jul 13 2012, 01:25 AM

best trick i have found and works like a charm!

Posted by: slowgls Jul 13 2012, 01:29 AM

Dose it have to be peanut oil? Can it be any type of cooking oil?

Posted by: VIG Jul 13 2012, 01:42 AM

I've used peanut butter before and it worked like a charm.

Posted by: songee623 Jul 13 2012, 02:38 AM

yes peanut oil, cant say ive heard of any other working.

Posted by: Falingore Sep 19 2013, 08:43 AM

Not to bump an old(er) thread, but mlumz or anyone else who's tried, how effective is the peanut oil at trim cleaning/restoration and do you use a trim dressing afterward?

Thanks,

Fal

Posted by: elantragt Sep 19 2013, 08:58 AM

I personally haven't used the peanut butter or oil trick but like most/all trim treatment it's not permanent.

It probably wouldn't hurt to use something like http://www.autogeek.net/motbactrimca.html when needed to maintain the black look.

Now if your trim is really, really faded you could consider something like http://www.autogeek.net/forblacbumtr.html (the kit includes a cleaner and a black dye) to bring it back to life.

Posted by: Falingore Sep 19 2013, 09:09 AM

Ah, so little in life is permanent these days. If it has enough lasting power to just be added to my waxing/other maintenance schedule regularly that would be fantastic.

I'll probably end up with some Back to Black as well. But you can get a LOT of peanut oil for $3.00.

Posted by: elantragt Sep 19 2013, 09:14 AM

Great point.

Peel off the Wesson label and add your own "Trim Restorer" label.

As an aside, if you do like to detail your car, the club has a deal with http://www.autogeek.net/ to get you 10% everything they sell. Just use "Elantra" at checkout.

Posted by: slowgls Sep 19 2013, 01:30 PM

I just back to black it a few times a year.

Posted by: mlumz Sep 20 2013, 08:55 AM

Peanut oil doesn't last long.

The best i've found is buy Kiwi black shoe polish (the liquid one) and cover the black trim with it. I can't remember but another member recommended this and it's held up the best.

Posted by: Nifty-Stuff.com Sep 17 2014, 06:50 PM

Great thread!!!

I've TOTALLY neglected my trim and it looks terrible! I'm not inclined to want to treat it all the time (which is probably required with the oil), so if there are processes / products that are better and prove to last longer, I'm totally game to know about them!

I am VERY curious if the shoe scuff black stuff lasts long!

My current thought is to use the magic eraser to get all the junk off and then use the black shoe scuff polish dye to bring the black back.

Thoughts?

Posted by: mlumz Sep 19 2014, 07:59 PM

The shoe polish is still going strong on my car and it's been at least 6 months if not longer.