Reminder: Don't forget to take care of your black trim!

[Felt_Rider]

Back when I had a boat I always kept a good supply of 303 and was always surprised at well it held up on the boat and on my truck (interior and exterior). I was just getting ready to make an online purchase of 303 since some of my trim has turned white in some areas from whatever the dealer used to prep the CX-5.

I still may buy a couple of bottles of 303 for the interior and get the Mothers B to B since I can get it at the auto store down the street. I have to either drive into Atlanta or purchase online to get the 303. Only boating stores seem to carry it locally.

Thanks for the tips on the protectants and wax.
I was reading on the detailing web sites of Carnuba wax priced at $70. Seriously? Can $70 Carnuba be any better than $20 Carnuba? The detailing website said that no Carnuba last more than a few weeks.

I bought Meguiar's Gold Class paste wax since that was on the shelf, but I will certainly look for the Meguiar's Ultimate Wax next time.

 

[Anijake]

I picked up some Meguiar's Ultimate Wax @ Walmart and just love it. Easy on easy off (whole car in a hour or so), leaves a great finish. I did not know I could use it on the black trim, I will try it when doing the next wax.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Back when I had a boat I always kept a good supply of 303 and was always surprised at well it held up on the boat and on my truck (interior and exterior). I was just getting ready to make an online purchase of 303 since some of my trim has turned white in some areas from whatever the dealer used to prep the CX-5.

I still may buy a couple of bottles of 303 for the interior and get the Mothers B to B since I can get it at the auto store down the street. I have to either drive into Atlanta or purchase online to get the 303. Only boating stores seem to carry it locally.

Thanks for the tips on the protectants and wax.
I was reading on the detailing web sites of Carnuba wax priced at $70. Seriously? Can $70 Carnuba be any better than $20 Carnuba? The detailing website said that no Carnuba last more than a few weeks.

I bought Meguiar's Gold Class paste wax since that was on the shelf, but I will certainly look for the Meguiar's Ultimate Wax next time.

Yes, the more expensive carnauba wax can be better. Carnauba comes in different grades and can be refined and produced in more intricate ways and as a result, be a better overall wax. That could mean longer durability, greater depth/clarity/brightness, etc. Much like fine wine I suppose. Some carnauba waxes are actually not all natural as they can be mixed with synthetic sealants like acrylic/polymer. Those are called "hybrid waxes". There are carnauba/hybrid waxes that can cost up to hundreds. Wolfgang Fuzion Estate being one of them

Meg's GC does have durability issues. It is mostly a show wax that pales in comparison to UW in every aspect. I'm usually not a fan of off the counter products (even from Meg's), but UW is possibly the best anyone could get from a parts store since 2011.

I picked up some Meguiar's Ultimate Wax @ Walmart and just love it. Easy on easy off (whole car in a hour or so), leaves a great finish. I did not know I could use it on the black trim, I will try it when doing the next wax.

The paste version of UW does stain trim due to the added ingredient they put to turn it into a paste wax. As with any paint wax/sealant, it is best not to use it on trim or leave it on trim even if it is said not to stain it.

 

[Anijake]

The paste version of UW does stain trim due to the added ingredient they put to turn it into a paste wax. As with any paint wax/sealant, it is best not to use it on trim or leave it on trim even if it is said not to stain it.

Have the liquid version,.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Figured, otherwise your trim would turn into a chalkboard by now. Just notifying others.

 

[philzzz]

I use Meguiar Ultimate black, love it

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Another tip. Meg's Ultimate Black and Ultimate Protectant is the same formula. Just one comes in a squeeze bottle and the other is a spray (U.P.).

For new trim (<2yrs) that only needs protection, I much prefer 303 Aerospace Protectant or Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant (and a few other quality products) which contains anti-oxidants and anti-ozonant. They have no petrochemicals, silicone oils or petroleum distillates that can degrade plastics. Armor All does contain silicone oils and petroleum distillates which are proven to accelerate degrading of plastics (including vinyl). So choose wisely. I am unsure of the exact ingredients of M.U.B./M.U.P.

 

[Mistersix]

Agreed on Meguiars Ultimate. Best store wax out there and it last pretty long. I even use it on plasti-dip parts and works like a champ.

There is definitely a difference in wax quality. My cousin, who was a detailer, used to chuckle at my bucket-o-wax's so he brought over some stuff he used. I don't recall exactly what it was at this point as it was in an unlabeled squeeze container and this was years ago, but he did one panel on my car and that thing stayed shiny and repelled water for weeks past the store wax i had on the rest of the car. So if you got the money, top shelf wax's are worth it.

 

[RedBaron]

For new trim (<2yrs) that only needs protection, I much prefer 303 Aerospace Protectant or Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant (and a few other quality products) which contains anti-oxidants and anti-ozonant. They have no petrochemicals, silicone oils or petroleum distillates that can degrade plastics. Armor All does contain silicone oils and petroleum distillates which are proven to accelerate degrading of plastics (including vinyl).

Interesting point! I have a bottle of 303 that I use on tires. Sooo much better and longer lasting than the 'other' tire stuff(s), and when the tires DO start to discolor (go brown) the brown just wipes off when I wash the car. I'll try it on the black trim too. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Even Steven]

I use Turtle wax ICE wax on the black plastic. It is the only wax you can use on that black plastic that won't leave a white residue on it and it helps the water bead off like wax does on paint. It's also one of the highest rated paste waxes in consumer reports. Don't use the liquid though, it's not as good.

You can also use PS21 or S100 (twin product marketed for motorcycles) on black plastic trim. No white residue at all, and this is a pure carnauba wax.

 

[garyd9]

Black outside trim can be a pain.... Keep in mind that it's not painted, so the typical reasons for wax/sealant don't apply. There really is no good reason to wax it. (However, it should still be kept clean.)

Cleaning wax residue off of the trim:

For gloss surfaces, it's much easier (and you likely won't ever have a problem.) For matte surfaces, the wax residue hardens inside the pits of the surface, and becomes difficult to clean.

Back to Black doesn't really do a good job of this. (It might appear to, but the white "stains" will come back in a week or so.) Instead, I'd suggest some "simply green" all purpose cleaner and a toothbrush. Contrary to popular wisdom, this is one cleaning job that's actually easier to do in direct sunlight (as it can help to soften the wax causing the white stains.) Brush the cleaner in the areas that have the white stains, and wipe it off. Repeat. Keep the area wet while cleaning, and try not to get the cleaner all over the place. Wash the area with water to get any remaining cleaner off.

Wait a couple days before putting on anything like 'back to black' to ensure that you got all the wax residue out of black trim.

Oh, and getting normal waxes out is much easier then some of the synthetic sealants. For example, Klasse sealant is a royal pain in the rear to get out of the matte black trim.

Take care
Gary

 

[vroom]

Tried all sorts of tricks to get wax off of black trim. I had a realy bad case of it after a rush wax job (my bad). The best trick I found: just rub the problem spots with an eraser. It took me 5 minutes to go around with one of those standard white erasers. No brushing. No whiping. Do drying. No repeating. No special product. Not a single spot left.