This may have been asked before, but I was unable to turn anything up with search.

The roof line trim is very abrasive, and every applicator I've used gets shredded up when used to apply dressing (regular sponge, foam sponge, foam applicator, terry cloth, microfiber, etc.) It really feels like rubbing on concrete! Has anyone found something that holds up to the ridiculously abrasive trim? I think they should use this material for the tops of skateboards for good grip. Sandpaper has nothing on this stuff.

Also, does anyone bother trying to dress the "inner trench" of the trim? I find it's very tight in there and tough to get an applicator in there.

I presently use 303, but am seriously considering getting a bottle of Black Wow just so that I don't have to keep re-applying.

Tony

 

I have used my finger with good results. You're right though some of that trim gets very rough.

 

I use gray foam blocks from Adam's Polishes. It's $5 for six sponges that can be cut up into 12 or more usable pieces. They hold up fine, but they aren't expensive so I don't worry about them getting gnawed away by the trim.

Yes, I detail the inside of the drip rail. I just put a drop of Adam's VRT on the sponge, stuff it into the rail, and rub it in. One drop easily covers an entire side.

Black Wow will do the same thing with even less product, and it will last longer, too.

 

Finger, huh? Wow, never woulda thought of that, but y'know, sounds like it's worth trying. I guess the trim is about the width of a finger, and your finger can be a pretty durable applicator... thanks for the tip.

Tony

 

I like the look of those sponges. How many uses would you say you get out of one of your 12 pieces before you have to toss it? Or is it a one time use, then toss deal?

Thanks,
Tony

 

Yeah, I've been meaning to find a new way to do this as well. I noticed one corner of my trim continually turns white after a few days, even after BWing repeatedly.

 

May I suggest these?

 

Have you tried them? They look like the trim would eat them up. I'm okay if I have to buy new applicators once in a while, but in the process of eating up the applicators it gets lint all over the trim. PITA.

I'm thinking maybe a toothbrush might work?

 

The ones I use I get free from our copier leasing company for cleaning excess and spilled developer out of the photocopiers - they are very sturdy. The link seems to be the same type of item. There is a plastic handle that goes almost all the way through the foam. . . . and they are cheap and disposable. I've reused mine several times. Since they are made of a closed cell foam they can also be easily washed.

 

I haven't thrown one away yet! I cut one into quarters and use one of those small pieces for the roof trim, and I cut one in half to use for the fender trim pieces. The roof sponge is getting chewed up on a couple corners, but it's still usable. I'd say I've used them 4 or 5 times each.

 

I'm revising my prior answer. Yesterday I used a thin microfiber towel (sold as a glass-cleaning towel, but I've never liked them very much for that) instead of the sponges. It worked great and since it's microfiber it's much less likely to add tiny scratches in the paint. I used a sponge on the interior, though.

The towel looks like this:

 

The MF pads I've used seem to be similar to this. They're no match for the trim, though. :(

Do the 1st gen MINIs have the same trim?

 

I don't think so - my roof trim is actually much smoother than the rest of the black vinyl trim, to the point that it doesn't really absorb dressing as well either. I use the same foam shoe polish applicator on the roof trim that I use on the arches and side skirts.

 

Aha. My roof trim is much more abrasive than the arches trim. :(