Detailing: FINALLY - a product that really DOES remove wax residue - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

greg · 24th December 2002, 05:26

OK, raise your hands - who is frustrated at the wax residue on your car's black vinyl bits? Me, Me!! Me - hand WAY up! I have white schmutz on my bumper inserts, windshield washers, headlight washers and door moldings. I'm just not dedicated enough to mask before I wax or polish.

I've asked the experts. I've tried alcohol. I've tried Meguiar's #40 and Trim Detailer. I've tried 303 Aerospace Cleaner and Protectant. I've even tried peanut butter. If you've tried all this stuff, you know that NONE of them work. Most have oils that completely hide the white stuff - looks great - until you've washed a few times. Then it all re-appears. Even if sufficient scrubbing with any of these would actually remove the residue, you can't see what you're doing because the 1st application hides it entirely.

So I'll try anything (which explans the peanut butter episode - THAT is how desparate I am

)

I recently found a can (metal can) of 3M "Adhesive, Tar and Wax Remover" pn #03607 - at a Wal-Mart, no less. This is a clear liquid, and is some sort of solvent. "Will not harmmost cured automotive paints" "Hmmm. Must be strong stuff", me thinks. It smells very similar to "Goof-Off" if you're familiar with that. Guess what - it works! I used an old t-shirt and a toothbrush - and the residue is gone. It takes a little scrubbing with the brush - the stuff has to "soak" for a little while - and of course, while it is wet, you can't see whether you've succeeded. But the best thing is this stuff evaporates completely away within seconds, (it helps if you give a soft wipe with the t-shirt to remove any excess) so you can SEE where you need to keep working. When you're done, the vinyl will look a little dull - but it will be free of wax. So - after it is clean, you can put your favorite rubber/vinyl dressing on and know that you aren't just temporarily hiding the wax.

I feel much better now.

P.S. - I found kids' electric toothbrushes on sale at Walgreens - $1.99. I'm not kidding $1.99!!! I actually used it to work in the tight corners.

KRM · 24th December 2002, 05:46

another great tip by our resident guru.

Even though I don't have a car here in NYC to try it out, I really enjoy reading and learning about this. thanks!

doug · 24th December 2002, 06:22

Thanks, Greg... I'll add these to my shopping list!

TCM · 24th December 2002, 07:06

Good find Greg

!! I will have to venture to Mr. Walton's store after the holiday crowds subside.

basil · 24th December 2002, 07:09

Great, I have a few pieces that could use that treatment. Sometimes I get a little lazy.

What I do now however is just remove the bumper strips. They're much easier to treat and cover with vinal dressing and the paint won't get smeared with dressing.

2001's X5/Z8 · 24th December 2002, 15:59

AHHH the toothbrush.....The oldest trick in the book...But add the 3M product and you've go a winner.....Love their stuff....

TriflowM5+M3 · 24th December 2002, 17:31

Since i just spent 700 hours detailing the beast this weekend i decided to do something about the wax residue...i have heard of white vinegar and all the others...no help. Since i once detailed and could never really get the stuff out, this new product is a tremendous help.

Mothers Back to black (i think its called) it not only removes the wax residue but also conditions and makes the plastic black again. Granted its not as great as gregs pictures but its also only one step. Ill have to keep up on it to see how well it works after a few days...