APC on rubber and plastic trim

[Coopers ST]

I have a question about using APC on plastic and rubber trim. Well I guess two. 1 is it safe? I want to try and remove water spots off the trim around the windows. If it is safe, how would you dilute it?

Thanks.

[jamesboyy]

from my experience yes apc is safe on plastics as long as it diluted down to 1:20 though you may have to add a few coats of trim dressing after cleaning cause you my have water spot shadows

[Tato]

I use CG APC diluted 10:1 minimum, 15:1, or even 20:1, with great results.

Lately, I'm relying mainly on Meguiar's #39 do clean trim and rubber, it's very effective and fast.

After cleaning, I generally apply either 303 Aerospace protectant (to internal / interior parts), and coating to external parts.

Some examples:


Before (gas compartment)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-11.png

After (cleaned / renewed with #39 and protected with 303 aerospace)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/silver12-37.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76493)

Window trim, before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-7.png

After Meguiar's #39
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-64.png

Same car, more trim cleansed and coated:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-63.png

---

Another car (yet silver), more trim, before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean1.png

During Megs #39
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean0.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/civic13-precoattrimclean2.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/75605)

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean3.png


Rubber seals, before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut27.png

Used All Clean Plus Citrus APC 15:1 with a soft brush (won't either scratch your teeth!, ;) )
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut28.png

After coating, (even looking nowadays seems to have lasted little wax from other guy, but compared to before the difference is 99%).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut29.png


There are many more.

I also have used some of Mother's Back-to-Black cleaner on porous trim, where I would generally scrub either using the brush provided, or a MF towel with some 'nap'.

Hope that helps,

Kind Regards.

[sproketser]

Thanx Tato , love your post mate ! Helpful on my end also .

[The Guz]

Nice post. M39 is great. I use D103 myself.

[aim4squirrels]

So I'll piggy back rather than start a new thread:

I currently have about a 2 month old application of WETS on my exterior trim, but want to try out my new order of Dlux on the nonporous plastic exterior trim.

What would you all recommend to remove the WETS and prep for an application of Dlux?

[Coopers ST]

I use CG APC diluted 10:1 minimum, 15:1, or even 20:1, with great results.

Lately, I'm relying mainly on Meguiar's #39 do clean trim and rubber, it's very effective and fast.

After cleaning, I generally apply either 303 Aerospace protectant (to internal / interior parts), and coating to external parts.

Some examples:


Before (gas compartment)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-11.png

After (cleaned / renewed with #39 and protected with 303 aerospace)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/silver12-37.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/76493)

Window trim, before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-7.png

After Meguiar's #39
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-64.png

Same car, more trim cleansed and coated:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/silver12-63.png

---

Another car (yet silver), more trim, before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean1.png

During Megs #39
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean0.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/civic13-precoattrimclean2.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/75605)

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/civic13-precoattrimclean3.png


Rubber seals, before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut27.png

Used All Clean Plus Citrus APC 15:1 with a soft brush (won't either scratch your teeth!, ;) )
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut28.png

After coating, (even looking nowadays seems to have lasted little wax from other guy, but compared to before the difference is 99%).
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut29.png


There are many more.

I also have used some of Mother's Back-to-Black cleaner on porous trim, where I would generally scrub either using the brush provided, or a MF towel with some 'nap'.

Hope that helps,

Kind Regards.

WOW thank you for the detailed response!

[Tato]

Welcome.

Here are the links for products, and a link to a product I'd give it a try if more available (I'm Brazilian):

Meguiars #39 Professional Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner, clean vinyl, meguiars interior cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-39-vinyl-cleaner.html)

Would definitively try this as well:
Meguiars #40<br>Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner protects rubber, plastic & vinyl interior surfaces. Meguiars # 40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner and (http://www.autogeek.net/meg40vinrubc.html)

And by the gallon if doing this for money:
128 oz. Meguiars Mirror Glaze #40 Vinyl & Rubber (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)


Also, 'rave reviews',
Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus Based APC (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-all-clean-all-purpose-cleaner.html)


Definitively, trim will look way better just after a great cleansing. The #40 also leaves protection behind and has great reviews.

Kind Regards.

[Coopers ST]

I have a bit of 39, probably had it 10 years, but I have some already :dblthumb2:
Nothing like finding new uses for old products. I also found a old bottle of Novus #1 plastic clean and shine I must have had since 1996. I never thought to use it on the gauge cluster 'glass'.