How to remove wax stains from black trim?

[arunka007]

Got my CX-5 waxed (carnauba) three weeks back. It looked great for a week and then it rained heavily for next few days. Yesterday, I noticed white wax stains all over the external black trims. I'm not sure whether this was there earlier (from the time the car was waxed) or whether the rains caused the wax to come off the paint on to the trim. I tried cleaning it with a micro fiber towel dipped in soap water. It didn't work. Googled it and found few outrageous solutions (use peanut butter, pencil eraser etc.) and comments saying none of those really work. I'm surprised to not find a simple and straight solution to this problem.

Have you had this problem before? If so, how did you remove the stains? Also, how to make sure this doesn't happen in future when the car is waxed?

 

[erhayes]

Red pencil eraser to remove the heavy stuff, then BACK TO BLACK. Then promise self not to wax black trim)

 

[paris1]

Carnauba wax is probably the worst product you can use on a vehicle with this type of trim. There are plenty of other synthetic products such as Turtle Wax Ice (what I use) where you don't have to worry about this. If you got a lot of it on the trim, it's going to be a lot of work (with an eraser like Ed mentioned) to get it off. You may have to use something stronger than Back to Black afterward to even it out, but that would be a good start.

 

[jhu8]

I agree on the pencil eraser. I had it bad as well. Only thing that did the trick.

 

[Dr. Awkward]

The peanut butter actually works really well.

 

[inlinev]

Peanut oil works too

 

[Unobtanium]

I use Rejex instead of wax. It lasts longer, and I no-longer find myself with the issue OP had. I'm clumsy at waxing, so this is a real boon to someone like me.

 

[craigo]

Peanut oil works too

Or canola, or any kitchen oil. I dipped a bit on a rag and scrubbed and scrubbed... it helps, even on very old wax stains. Follow up with water and detergent. The peanut butter thing comes from the same basic idea, use another oil to dissolve the wax, then a detergent to get that off.

 

[arunka007]

Using the eraser seems like a slow and time consuming process. Does the peanut butter / kitchen oil method work faster/better? Or is it all more or less the same? Is any of these methods better than the other?

Could this have happened only because wax was (unintentionally) applied on the trim? Asking as I'm not sure whether the rains caused wax to wash off to the trim. If this can happen only because wax was directly applied on the trim I'm thinking about taking the car back to the detailing place that did this.

 

[vroom]

I've tried oil but it just makes the wax transparent for a while. The wax eventually comes back. I now use a big white pencil eraser. Works like a charm and takes about 15 minutes to do the entire trim.

BTW, wax does not wash off in the rain (it's strongly hydrophobic). It was applied to the trim by accident.

 

[Dr. Awkward]

Using the eraser seems like a slow and time consuming process. Does the peanut butter / kitchen oil method work faster/better? Or is it all more or less the same? Is any of these methods better than the other?

Could this have happened only because wax was (unintentionally) applied on the trim? Asking as I'm not sure whether the rains caused wax to wash off to the trim. If this can happen only because wax was directly applied on the trim I'm thinking about taking the car back to the detailing place that did this.

If you don't have a whole bunch of spots to treat, it doesn't take that long.
I used the PB technique after my late April wax job, and used 303 afterwards.
Still looks pretty good but my CX is under a carport a lot.

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

 

[paris1]

Using the eraser seems like a slow and time consuming process. Does the peanut butter / kitchen oil method work faster/better? Or is it all more or less the same? Is any of these methods better than the other?

Could this have happened only because wax was (unintentionally) applied on the trim? Asking as I'm not sure whether the rains caused wax to wash off to the trim. If this can happen only because wax was directly applied on the trim I'm thinking about taking the car back to the detailing place that did this.

That is absolutely what happened. The rain water simply reacted with the wax to make it more apparent. I would definitely take it back to the detailer, IF they weren't as completely incompetent as it appears!

 

[CX-5um]

Collinite 845 is a product that doesn't leave behind a residue if used properly although I don't use it anymore.

I use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax instead. Can be used to black trim as well with no residue. My car is constantly shiny and I only wash my car once every month now.

 

[mazdadude]

A preventative measure I like to use is to apply the protectant to the black trim pieces BEFORE waxing.

And yes the Collinite 845 I tried did not discolor the black trim at all. January was my first time experience with it, but we are very happy with it's longevity so far...

 

[arunka007]

I tried cleaning some spots with a pink eraser and it worked! Didn't have the time to do it all though. Planning to finish it off in next couple of days.

I called the detailer but they don't want to accept responsibility. Not worth the trouble to fight it with them. I'll just spread the word and not visit them again.

 

[paris1]

I tried cleaning some spots with a pink eraser and it worked! Didn't have the time to do it all though. Planning to finish it off in next couple of days.

I called the detailer but they don't want to accept responsibility. Not worth the trouble to fight it with them. I'll just spread the word and not visit them again.

Best insurance against this kind of thing is to just do it yourself. I'm doing mine tomorrow morning and it won't take me longer than an hour and a half and I'll know it's done right!

 

[123373]

Carnauba wax is probably the worst product you can use on a vehicle with this type of trim. There are plenty of other synthetic products such as Turtle Wax Ice (what I use) where you don't have to worry about this. If you got a lot of it on the trim, it's going to be a lot of work (with an eraser like Ed mentioned) to get it off. You may have to use something stronger than Back to Black afterward to even it out, but that would be a good start.

+1 for the ice. Works on the entire vehicle.

 

[arunka007]

+1 for the ice. Works on the entire vehicle.

How long does Ice typically last? I do a hand wash of the car once in 3 weeks. Will that process wash away the Ice?

 

[Ride92]

How long does Ice typically last? I do a hand wash of the car once in 3 weeks. Will that process wash away the Ice?

Ice Wax should last about 6 months or so before it needs to be reapplied. Personally I think the Meguiars Ultimate liquid wax is a better product then the Ice wax. Neither one are actually waxes, they are just marketed that way since the average consumer doesn't know the difference between a wax and a sealant. Ultimate Liquid Wax (ULW) and ICE are both fully synthetic sealants with no natural wax in them. They last longer and create a bond with the clear coat much better then carnauba wax does. I find the ULW leaves a better shine that is deeper and richer looking then the ICE wax, closer to carnauba wax. And ULW can be applied right to the trim with out leaving white residue.

I also use Collonite 845 and like it even better then ULW or ICE, it leaves a great shine, is easy on and easy off if applied thin. Thin is in, it's better to do 2 thin coats then one heavy coat. It lasts about 6-8 months from what I've found. It works on the trim as well but it has to be completely wiped off the trim, it too much is left on the trim it will leave white marks.

The typical drive way hand wash will not wash away the "wax" or sealants in any hurry, eventually they will wear away but should last a decent amount of time. Brush car washes and especially touch free car washes will strip the wax much faster. The touchless especially because it uses rather harsh chemicals to clean the car rather then physical contact. Think of it as refinishing a piece of wood furniture, you can sand the old finish off (brush car wash) or use a chemical stripper (touchless car wash) to remove the finish, same result. I prefer hand washing with Megs Gold class (Costco has a great deal on that) or doing Rinseless washes using Optimum No Rinse. If the car is really dirty in the winter I will take it to the DIY car wash and use the High pressure sprayer with just water to remove most of the grime before coming home to do a rinseless wash in the garage

 

[paris1]

I use Ice paste wax (reputed to be much longer-lasting than spray) and the last time I did mine was six months or so ago. The only reason I'm doing it again today is I feel guilty for not doing it more often! My car really doesn't need it, but then it lives in a garage.