Advice needed for white rubber seals

[MickeyB]

Hi all,

So... My equipment and products are all about to arrive, and I still have a week off! Can't wait to get started!

I going to start on her daily driver, which is an imported JDM Toyota Caldina, year model '04.

It has significant paint defects, and has no been polished in the 4 years we've had the car, plus whatever it's picked up in Japan prior to my ownership, but armed with iron-x, clay bars and a brand spanking new DA polisher, I believe I'm well equipped to give it a go...

The car is pearl white, and the rubbers/gaskets on the sideskirts, front/rear aprons etc are (what used to be) white rubber, which has generally discoloured to grey. I've had some success in rubbing with MF towels to get rid of the marking, but is there a method or product that is more effective?

Advice needed!

I'll get some pics up in the morning: it's dark here now...

Cheers,

Micah


No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy

[MickeyB]

Anybody??


No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy

[Boejoula]

Try an all purpose cleaner and a toothbrush.

[MickeyB]

Will do: thanks... Wasn't sure how sensitive 10+ y.o. External Foam/rubber would be, but I'll give it a shot.


No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy

[7PaintGuns]

This may seem odd, but an old trick I used to use on old white tennis shoes to get soles back bright white was to rub them with cheap whitening toothpaste. Try a small spot, see if it helps! Just a suggestion...

[GSKR]

This may seem odd, but an old trick I used to use on old white tennis shoes to get soles back bright white was to rub them with cheap whitening toothpaste. Try a small spot, see if it helps! Just a suggestion...

Usually a apc on a cloth will do,but I like the toothpaste process good idea.

[MickeyB]

It sounds odd enough that I'll try it! If nothing else, it will smell nice!

I'll let you guys know if it worked: what do you recommend: Colgate, Macleans...?




No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy

[RFrommann]

diluted all purpose cleaner, and magic erasers.

[GSKR]

If you really want them white use lacquer thinner on them,it will etch the top layer of grease grime and dead coloring.wash the gaskets first so you are not dragging dirt in to the process.Take your time you will need some disposable rags and repeated attempt to make the color flow.If not use the toothpaste process,more than likely you will have better results with thinner make sure you condition them after or maybe use a non staining wax such as collinte.

[MickeyB]

Ok... So here's some pics as it stands, before I even touch it: from the surrounding paint, you'll see just how neglected the car has been, and what I'm dealing with as far as my starting point with the car...







Can't wait to get started (fingers crossed my DA arrives today)!!

I guess there's no harm in hitting the gaskets and wheels while I wait for the last of my equipment/products to arrive...


No battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy