Any auto bodywork bods on here?

[Waspie]

Need advice on staining on my 4 wheeled machines exterior plastic trim.
Have some white streaking running down the trim. It has been suggested it may be clay pigments from the bodywork post polishing.
I tried a mineral spirit to clean then applied a plastic restorer but it’s re-appeared!!
So, Mayday Mayday Mayday —- HELP!! Please.
Ta in advance, Doug

[Andy T]

If it is just polishing residue then a good rub with hot soapy water should be enough to remove it. An all purpose cleaner or something like stardrops would be best, but anything is better than nothing.

A microfiber cloth to really get in to the grain helps too.

I've sometimes had success with glass cleaner too, the spray on alcohol /water type like autoglym fast glass.

On the other hand if its some kind of chemical that has bleached the plastic then you'll struggle to get rid of it completely. You'll get all kinds of suggestions from baby oil to peanut butter (seriously). These can help mask the problem but it'll always reappear once they have washed off.

If it's bare textured plastic then heat can help if it's severe, slightly melting the surface to bring back the colour. A bit extreme for most but it works wonders on old bangers with badly faded trim.

If the cleaning doesn't help pop up a picture or two and I'll see if I can help further.

[Waspie]

If it is just polishing residue then a good rub with hot soapy water should be enough to remove it. An all purpose cleaner or something like stardrops would be best, but anything is better than nothing.

A microfiber cloth to really get in to the grain helps too.

I've sometimes had success with glass cleaner too, the spray on alcohol /water type like autoglym fast glass.

On the other hand if its some kind of chemical that has bleached the plastic then you'll struggle to get rid of it completely. You'll get all kinds of suggestions from baby oil to peanut butter (seriously). These can help mask the problem but it'll always reappear once they have washed off.

If it's bare textured plastic then heat can help if it's severe, slightly melting the surface to bring back the colour. A bit extreme for most but it works wonders on old bangers with badly faded trim.

If the cleaning doesn't help pop up a picture or two and I'll see if I can help further.

Thanks for that.
I’ve just finished giving it a good clean with, of all things, IPA. That turned the plastic an even grey colour. Then gave it a good going over with Armour All.
The car’s only 3 YO and less than 10k miles so I thought it may be down to me and my last polish a couple of months ago!!
Bloody annoying - especially as SWIMBO is aware of it!! :rolling:

[Jim R]

Autoglym (and others I'm sure) do a gel which restores grey plastic trim to black. It works well but may not work for this and even if it does may not be permanent. You could also try WD-40.

[Waspie]

Thanks Jim. I have always used AG polishes etc and I have today added AG plastic restorer to my armoury, (hopefully arrive tomorrow). Working on the premise, AG got me into this bother, hopefully AG will get me out.

Until now I have always been a big follower of ArmourAll for plastic trim, never let me down. (Until now). I'm hoping the IPA will have removed the residue or whatever it is that is causing the problem and the ArmourAll has worked.

Bugging me, as it's the first time anything like this has happened.

I started using a double action rotary polisher in the last year but SWIMBO and I are thinking, let's go back to manual polishing!! Takes more time but if it's going to throw up problems like this - be gone!!!

[Andy T]

Thanks for that.
I’ve just finished giving it a good clean with, of all things, IPA. That turned the plastic an even grey colour. Then gave it a good going over with Armour All.
The car’s only 3 YO and less than 10k miles so I thought it may be down to me and my last polish a couple of months ago!!
Bloody annoying - especially as SWIMBO is aware of it!! :rolling:

Glad you seem to have sorted it. The IPA will have worked similarly to the glass cleaner I mentioned.

I'm a fan of autoglym products too, although I tend to buy the trade version which works out cheaper if you need tons of the stuff :smiling5:

I started out in the motor trade by valeting cars back in the late 80's, trying to earn some extra cash while I did my A levels, then somehow ended up owning my own bodyshop. Once you're in you can't get out...

[Waspie]

Glad you seem to have sorted it. The IPA will have worked similarly to the glass cleaner I mentioned.

I'm a fan of autoglym products too, although I tend to buy the trade version which works out cheaper if you need tons of the stuff :smiling5:

I started out in the motor trade by valeting cars back in the late 80's, trying to earn some extra cash while I did my A levels, then somehow ended up owning my own bodyshop. Once you're in you can't get out...

Fingers crossed Andy, I did this a week ago using white spirit and initially it appeared to work!! So I'll give it a few days before I count my chickens!!

I started using Auto Glym more years ago than I care to remember!! Would have been late 70's. During a visit to the motor show, I asked a couple of the guys polishing the cars us visitors had dared touch what they used? They all said AG products. Well, I'm of the opinion if it's good enough for the auto trade to tart their premier cars with it's going to be ok for me.

I've a kit in a nice presentation case from one manufacturer after buying one of their cars 'brand spanking' to let me clean my car, it's got the works, tyre to polish to cloths etc. Never used it. Always used AG products. The one that really impressed is theAuto Glym tar remover!!!

[Waspie]

Andy T
Hello again Andy!! Heeeeeeelp!!!!!
Sadly, my problem with the plastic has returned!!
Have attached a piccy this time in the hope you have seen similar and maybe recommend a fix. I've a couple of theories flapping around my head.
1, I used AG super resin polish as usual and finished off with the extra gloss protection. I'm thinking I never took it off properly and it's running due to the damp nights were having?
2. Something my dealer is doing when valeting after a service!! (It's a BMW/Mini dealership).

Clutching at wild straws but I hate it when my car looks crepe!!!!

Oh, the piccy before I forget!! (doh).

[Mr Bowcat]

I'm a big fan of AG products, have been since I worked at Halfords over 30 years ago. I've just ordered a snow lance and the AG Polar products to use in it, hoping it will be easier to use, meaning the cars will get washed more often.

[Andy T]

That's a tough one Doug, but my first thought would still be some kind of residue that has run down as I can see some evidence of streaking on the black painted section also (much easier to remove)

I know you have tried a few things but if it was a water based product then a water based cleaner probably has the best chance of removing it.

Back to my suggestion of hot soapy water I think, with either a microfiber cloth, a firm sponge, or even a soft scrubbing brush / old toothbrush to get into the grain.

I've heard of people having success with those magic eraser sponges with soapy water but not tried that myself.

If it were mine I'd be testing a small section first and leaving it to dry naturally without putting any trim restorer products on as it will reappear faster (if its going to)

[Waspie]

That's a tough one Doug, but my first thought would still be some kind of residue that has run down as I can see some evidence of streaking on the black painted section also (much easier to remove)

I know you have tried a few things but if it was a water based product then a water based cleaner probably has the best chance of removing it.

Back to my suggestion of hot soapy water I think, with either a microfiber cloth, a firm sponge, or even a soft scrubbing brush / old toothbrush to get into the grain.

I've heard of people having success with those magic eraser sponges with soapy water but not tried that myself.

If it were mine I'd be testing a small section first and leaving it to dry naturally without putting any trim restorer products on as it will reappear faster (if its going to)

Thanks Andy. I’ll give the hot water a bash. Have two more SWIMBO jobs then I’ll tackle it in about an hour. Will let you know how I get on.

[Mr Bowcat]

Have you tried getting a pressure washer on it, if it is residue maybe it needs a bit more persuasion?

[De.Mort]

I'm no expert on detailing i'm afraid but that looks to me to be a chemical in a pressure washer running down .. too acidic perhaps ... in short it looks like water staining .

My old school method would be to use boot polish if its a straightforward plastic trim but perhaps it's best if i speak to the detailer at work next week and see what he advises as i'm sure there are more up to date products lol .

[Andy T]

I'm no expert on detailing i'm afraid but that looks to me to be a chemical in a pressure washer running down .. too acidic perhaps ... in short it looks like water staining .

That's definitely a possibility as I mentioned earlier, but I'm hoping for Dougs sake that it isnt.

Overly strong cleaners like TFR used by dealers, not diluted enough, can cause it also.

[De.Mort]

I messaged the office at work with the image .. the reply ..

That is a chemical stain from some form of Truck wash/harsh cleaner, dependant on the finish of the lower trim i.e. glass or mat needs polish

Not sure what products might help .. need to chat to the detailer next week i'm afraid .