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Tracy asked: What is the best way to remove old auto wax off of exterior plastic trim? It is black, textured auto trim. I need something to remove the old wax that found its way off of the paint surface and onto the trim pieces.
When wax embeds itself in your vehicle’s exterior trim surfaces, the result can be a milky, white mess. Even worse than the mess is how difficult it is to get rid of, but this surprising solution will take care of it in no time. Follow up with a layer of protectant, and you’ll have it looking brand new without much effort at all.
You Will Need:
- Peanut butter
- Toothbrush
- Wet towel
- Trim protectant
Steps to Remove the Wax:
- Apply a glob of peanut butter (smooth, not chunky) directly to the discolored trim.
- Scrub the peanut butter into the trim with the toothbrush. The bristles will help you work it into texture and any cracks or crevices.
- Once you’ve scrubbed well, wipe the surface clean with a wet towel.
- Repeat if necessary.
- Once the trim is clean, apply a trim protectant or trim restoration product to restore the shine of new trim. Universal Auto Tech Trim Renew is recommended because it will also clean away any remaining wax, but trim restore and protect products can be found in any auto parts store. Follow label directions for use.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- An alternative method is to use a wet Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. The overall effectiveness will vary somewhat based on the type and texture of the surface. Additionally, the Magic Eraser can dull the surface of the plastic, so use with great care and follow up with a restorative product for best results.
Peanut butter doesn’t remove the wax; the oils in the peanut butter simply saturate the plastic, making the wax “invisible” for a while. After a few washes, you’ll see the wax again.
I have found that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser does wonderful work on wax “overspray”; one wipe and it’s gone.
I just finished doing my car with WD-40; removed the wax on the black moldings with little effort. P.J.
I just used vinegar and water with a toothbrush and it took it off. The mix was for cleaning windows.