If you haven't noticed, the Mini is quite unique in the amount of black plastic trim around the wheel wells and bottom of the car. (Almost every other car on the road has no wheel well trim like this.)

Anyway, I've had cars with some plastic trim or bumbers in the past, and it always seemed to be difficult to wax them without getting some on the trim, and it ends up looking bad, and is pretty impossible to get off.

Does anyone recommend a wax that won't cause these issues? It should be good for the metallic paint I guess too (mine is Astro Black - it would be nice not to get a lot of swirl marks like my other black cars have had), and the wax should be pretty easy to work with, because I don't like to spend much time (one of the things I like about the Mini is such small surface area).

Thanks as always for any help.

- R

 

I use normal turtle wax then do the black plastic with armor all. The armor all seems to take off any wax that spills over.

 

I am no detailer, but I know a trick that might help.
Get a wide PLASTIC putty knife and use it as a block. Just hold the PLASTIC knife flush against the trim and apply the wax with your other hand. You only have to do an inch or so away from the trim, then wax the rest of the car in the usual manner. Buffing isn't an issue.
There is a product for cleaning trim called "BACK TO BLACK" by Mothers. Works pretty good.

 

Buy some painters tape and tape off the plastic up to the edge where it meets the paint. The thicker the tape the better. You don't need to complete cover the whole plastic, just enough to stop the overlap of wax.

 

Mother's Back to Black does work well for this. I have read of people using rubbing alcohol or de-natured alcohol and a toothbrush (sounds tedious doesn't it) to get the wax out of the black plastic.

As a preventative measure, I like the painters tape idea mentioned by brakefade. If you apply the tape first, seems like you could wax the car with wild abandon and not worry about it.

 

I'm careful and detail the black trim with armor all.

 

Should be in the detailers forum. Anywho.

Try using Meguiar's Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner before you wax. It will help prevent wax from sticking to the plastic. It will not leave an oily film, like Armor-All does. Which has an added advantage of not collecting dust.

Do not use a cleaner wax. Cleaner waxes contain harsh petroleum distillates which can take the black right out of the plastic.

Wax around the plastic with a guide and by hand until you have enough distance to safely use a polisher. Hold a dry towel in your free hand and immediately wipe off any wax you may get on the plastic.

 

Couldn't sleep last night and watched an infomercial for Turtle Wax ICE. they claim their wax is safe to use on all parts of the car including plastics and chrome and it won't leave any white residue after drying. I have'nt tried it but it sounds promising.

 

That could be a good answer to this question.

 

Zymol is easy to get off the plastic bits.

 

I had the same issue when waxing - overlap on black plastic around wheelwells, antenna, etc. I got and tried Mother's Back to Black, which worked really well taking off the wax and in fact improving the "black" from what must have had some grime and fade after a couple years.

 

peanut butter.

 

I think the whole line of Mother's products is very good. Besides Back to Black they have a California Gold wax that's 100% carnuba and eally looks good along with their chrome and alloy polishes.

 

OctaneGuy, where are you?? These guys need you!!!




06MCS/DS/B/Bbonnetstripes/Whalen8ball shiftmachine

 

Hey guys/gals, do not take this the wrong way, but many of you would benefit from spending some time in the detailing forum. There is a lot of good information there on the care and feeding of your Mini.

 

I love my new Mini, while I wanted to make it look nice, I wasn't about to tape it. I used Meguair's NXT Generation wax today and had a few small spills of wax on the plastic trim. No problem with hazing. Possibly they will show up when the car gets wet, but as of yet, I have no complaints.

Paul

 

Where is the detailing forum Skuzzy? I could use some advice on the best way to clean the rims as the grease doesn't seem to come off in touch-less car washes.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=12

Detailing 101 is in the MINIs in General section.

 

I've noticed some of you use wax for your swirls? Did I read correctly? Because if that's what some of you are saying, then you are not getting rid o any swirls, you are just hiding them.

 

there are ways to prevent this. like others have mentioned, the very best way is to take your time and prep the car properly. Blue painters tape to mask off all plastic bits and trim.

If you dont have time, and end up getting wax on the pastic trim, there is a great trick to cleaning it. Its a little time consuming but def. the best way. I'll save the details, but use peanutbutter and a toothbrush. Look it up. By far the best way to fully remove the wax from the black trim.

check out this site. Great products, and some really great detailing tips.
http://www.properautocare.com

 

Some people use 'cleaner' waxes. These waxes have mild abrasives which will remove slight swirl marks. Any type of wax which claims to remove swirl marks has some abrasive material in it.

 

Peanut butter does work but it is temporary & the wax mark will come back. Wizard's Black Renew takes the wax right off your trim & also makes it look brand new while providing protection. Also Octane Guy will begin selling a great trim product later this month
For the love... stay away from anything & everything Armor All

 

Actually, Amor-All's window cleaner works well. No ammonia or alcohols and cuts VOC related haze really well.

Other than that, I agree.

 

best trick ive found over the years is to not use wax that causes the black plastic trim to turn grey.

takes a lot of trial and error but one of the better ones is
zaino bro at zainostore.com.

very popular stuff especially with the darker color cars(like black cars since it does not streak or leave weird spots that seem only visible on black paint).

if you use stuff that damages the black trim, all your doing with armorall and such is covering up, as soon as it wears off you see greay splotches
on the plastic trim and it looks awful.

so try to avoid waxes/polishes that actually damage the plastic trim in the first place

 

Prima Clarity kicks every other window cleaner's butt

All the good polishes I have ever used mar the black bits. There are plenty of waxes that don't but I dunno of a good polish that doesn't. You either tape it off or just use the Wizard's to remove it & Wizard's does remove the residue not just hide it