There are many posts on removing wax from the textured plastic, but I haven't seen a treatment thread on the subject. What are people using? I want to stay away from the dye-based products, just want to clean and protect.

An economical approach is key here as I also have a Volvo XC70 which has TONS of this textured plastic!

TIA
-Bill

 

Black-Wow
Probably the single best thing you can get for textured black.

 

That's got silicone in it though, right?

 

What's wrong with silicone? You plan on painting your plastic one day? Body shops used to hate silicone due to fisheyes..in the 70's.

Silicone comes in many forms. It's used in skin care products...it's not hazardous to skin. If you want to figure what products work best, the first thing to do is dispel the myths that have hung around for decades.

Pre Wow is in active development right now...stay tuned for more test results!

 

It's more the permanence of silicone, it's very good at what it does. If I don't like the results, I'm stuck with it.

 

I see. So if you don't like an extremely durable, darker, matte finish, then it's bad to be stuck with it? Sounds like you're used to the shiny nasty stuff like Armor All.

BW can be removed with Simple Green.

 

I'm just afraid of commitment, just ask my wife!

Best ordering source?

 

May I recommend Show Car Detailing owned by our very own Octane Guy!

http://www.showcarsupplies.com/

 

How convenient!

Next question. What about bug/tar/sap removal? I used to get some good stuff when I worked at a dealership, but they were wholesale only.

 

Two suggestions

I got this from Detailers Paradise, Only have used it for bugs, worked great!
http://stores.detailersparadise.com/...ase/Detail.bok

I generally like the wax to create a slick surface that bugs and tar don't stick. Prima works real well for that. I have not had any tar on that I could not gently wash out.

I did have a serious blob of tree sap on the wife's car that nothing would touch. Finally pulled out the clay bar, 10-20 passes later it was GONE.

 

I have been using the 303 protectant products for years with no issues. Very easy to apply (I use a cheap foam paint brush.....works like a charm!)

As for paint protection, you have got to get some Zaino. Easiest product to apply and lasts a good long time w/o a lot of maintenance. It has the slickest surface and provides a very "deep" look after only a couple of layers.

 

Most manufacturers had a "bug and tar remover" of some sort for decades, until a couple of years ago when California came out with its VOC (volatile organic compound) regulations. The regs forced manufacturers to remove a key ingredient from their bug and tar removers, rendering it pretty ineffective. So, bug and tar removers have disappeared.

I'm told that the key ingredient that had to be removed can be replaced with a VOC compliant chemical; however, this replacement chemical is very expensive... and who wants to pay mega bucks for a simple bug and tar remover, right??

We're looking into it further to see if there is a creative way to create a VOC-compliant bug and tar remover that is both functionally-effective as well as cost-effective. In the meantime...

As tgs91 pointed out, if you get a durable synthetic wax on your paint as a preventive measure, then most bug and tar issues aren't a problem because they will wipe right off in most cases. The slickest durable waxes for such prevention include Prima Epic, Zaino, Klasse Sealant Glaze. (each wax has different application requirements and different looks- especially on different colors)

IMO, prevention is the way to go anyway!

-Heather

 

The key ingredient in bug and tar remover is/was Naphtha. This can be found at any quality paint store and probably Home Depot, Lowes etc. Sometimes labeled as VM&P Naphtha (Varnish Makers & Painters).

It is a high solvency paint thinner, evaporation is rapid so do NOT leave the container open. IT WILL ALSO REMOVE WAX !!!!

Forgot to add that it also dries out rubber gaskets, seals !!!!

 

yep, im also a big fan of Wizard's BugRelease purchased from DP. works fantastically (sp?).

after the initial wetdown, spray, start your shampoo from another part of the car and by the time you get to the front, the bugs come off with very minimal effort. it's great stuff.