Polish Stain Removal

[Blackdevil77]

After I finished washing my car, I noticed the rear plastic diffusor has what looks like a wax or polish stain/residue on it. I tried a few things to get it out with no luck, including V.R.T which just masked it, it didn't really remove it. This was there when I bought the car so I don't know EXACTLY what made it, but it looks like polish/wax. Any tips on getting this stain out?

 

[2quikta]

Maybe some all purpose with a brush?

 

Maybe it's just a discoloration from the heat being so close to the exhaust....I dunno

[Blackdevil77]

I don't think it's from the heat, it's only on this one side. I tried some all purpose and it lessened it, but didn't completely remove it.

[Kingsford]

POLISH ON PLASTIC YOU SAY?!

 

It's a Jif to remove! No, seriously... Jif as in Peanut Butter. 

 

The oil from the Peanut Butter will remove the stain and bring back the sheen. Take just a little bit on your finger and rub it over the polish/wax residue on the plastic, remove with a paper towel. If it is indeed polish or wax on the plastic it will be removed. HOWEVER it could also be from a spill of some type of chemical that has dried out or removed the color of the plastic. If it was there when you bought it you never know what someone could have done to it.

 

I would tape off any paint areas to avoid getting Peanut Butter on the paint and to keep the paper towel from scratching as well.

 

Follow up with some Super VRT on the plastic to get that uniform color look of the plastic.

 

If you just think I'm plain crazy, I dare you to try it. 

Edited May 14, 2014 by Kingsford

[JBirdFX4]

Very interesting! ^^^^

[blcksilv08]

x2 on what was said about peanut butter.  I didn't believe it either until I used on an old Ford Explorer to remove a stain, worked great.  Just don't get the chunky variety.

[Ricky Bobby]

I usually deep clean the trims with APC before applying SVRT anyway.

 

I'll keep the peanut butter idea in mind as well, but have you tried wiping down the trims with APC to see if that takes care of it?

[Team Adam's]

APC and either a Utility Towel or any soft bristled brush will make quick work or any residue on black textured trim.  You can then treat with SVRT once the residue is removed.

 

Save the peanut butter for making sandwiches. 

[Kingsford]

Never had good luck with APC taking off polish and/or wax out of plastic... It eventually comes out after you scrub it with a towel and APC but the peanut butter is effortless, smear it on wipe it off. Didn't mean it to be a joke of an answer, its what I use and what works best & easiest in my opinion.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Kingsford

[Blackdevil77]

Thanks guys, I'll try the both. I tried all purpose cleaner already, but I'll try it again. The peanut butter idea is interesting!!! I'll give that a try as well. As long as it doesn't damage anything, I have no problem trying it, I have plenty of peanut butter lol

[The Guz]

Typically some APC and a brush will get it out.  Let us know if you get it cleaned up.

[Chris@Adams]

This is why you should treat your trim with SVRT before polishing or waxing........when treated the wax, polish won't stick to the trim.

Like mentioned before APC is your best friend!

 

Adam's All Purpose Cleaner Adam's Super VRT Tire & Trim Dressing

[Blackdevil77]

 

This is why you should treat your trim with SVRT before polishing or waxing........when treated the wax, polish won't stick to the trim.

Like mentioned before APC is your best friend!

 

Adam's All Purpose Cleaner Adam's Super VRT Tire & Trim Dressing

 

 

I always did. This stain was on the car when I bought it so there was nothing I could of done as far as prevention. 

[Blackdevil77]

Just wanted to say I tried the peanut butter and it is no myth. I can't believe how well it worked. I put a little on my finger and gently massaged it onto the the spots with the white stain, then wiped it off and it's GREATLY reduced! It's still there very lightly, but it's about 80% gone. One more peanut butter treatment and it'll probably be gone! Very cool little trick!

 

The all purpose cleaner did work also, just took a bit more scrubbing. I used the all purpose cleaner after the peanut butter to make sure all the peanut butter was removed. Peanut butter and all purpose cleaner seems like a killer combo to remove wax residue/stains on plastic trim! Lol

[Fit08]

Just wanted to say I tried the peanut butter and it is no myth. I can't believe how well it worked. I put a little on my finger and gently massaged it onto the the spots with the white stain, then wiped it off and it's GREATLY reduced! It's still there very lightly, but it's about 80% gone. One more peanut butter treatment and it'll probably be gone! Very cool little trick!

 

The all purpose cleaner did work also, just took a bit more scrubbing. I used the all purpose cleaner after the peanut butter to make sure all the peanut butter was removed. Peanut butter and all purpose cleaner seems like a killer combo to remove wax residue/stains on plastic trim! Lol

Now there is a toxic sandwich if I ever heard of one......

[Kingsford]

Now there is a toxic sandwich if I ever heard of one......

 

Warning: Contents of plastic stain fix are strictly for beauty and to cause others to stare. Contents, when combined, are not edible. Please do not eat the products no matter how good they smell.

[The Guz]

Put a little jam on it and you got yourself a nice PBJB (peanut butter and jelly bumper).

 

Glad that worked out for you. 

[Kingsford]

[Blackdevil77]

Lol, I could hardly believe it either. It started raining shortly after I applied the PB, and tomorrow is gonna be a washout. I'll post pictures as soon as the sun breaks out

[CMDChase]

I just recently had this problem with a friends Volvo. I really scrubbed the daylights out of the plastic trim with APC with very little results. Will try the peanut butter when I get back from vacation. Thanks for the tip.

[Blackdevil77]

 

Here's the picture as promised. 

 

Here is the "BEFORE:" 

 

 

And here is after 1 application of peanut butter, rubbed gently on the area with my finger, then wiped off:

 

[Kingsford]

And here is after 1 application of peanut butter, rubbed gently on the area with my finger, then wiped off:

 

Looks great! Glad that combination worked out for you!!! Go at it with a tooth brush to get the rest of it, I think the bristles will get the rest of it.

[The Guz]

I just saw this.  Looks like you got most of it out.  I agree a toothbrush should be able to remove what remains. 

[Blackdevil77]

Looks great! Glad that combination worked out for you!!! Go at it with a tooth brush to get the rest of it, I think the bristles will get the rest of it.

 

 

I just saw this.  Looks like you got most of it out.  I agree a toothbrush should be able to remove what remains. 

 

Yup, the tooth brush finished off the rest. I can't believe how well that worked, I would of never thought of that in a million years!

[GerryC]

Last time I used peanut butter to remove wax stains, this little guy just sorta hung there...watching...waiting.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

The $100 question is:  What brand of peanut butter did you use?

 

Jif?

Skippy?

Peter Pan?

Crunchy?

Extra Crunchy?

Creamy?

Natural?

Honey Nut?

Reduced Fat?

 

We need this down to a scientific regimen people!