Laid GP Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I've got some wax residue (or something) on the textured plastic on my wiper cowl and mirrors that I can not seem to get off. Anyone got any tricks for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 blcksilv08 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 What have you tried so far? All purpose cleaner or tire and rubber cleaner on the corner of a towel works well or lightly scrubbing with a brush as well. LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 USCGRetiredJosh Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I use all purpose cleaner or 409 and scrub with a finger nail brush. I spray the brush so I lessen the chance of wax removal on painted surfaces. Wipe dry with a towel. SumBeach35 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Laid GP Posted January 7, 2017 Author Share Posted January 7, 2017 I tried tire and rubber cleaner and that did not work. Will try the APC brush method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chris@Adams Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I would use the new TRC it works great on cleaning rubber & plastics. http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exterior/wheels-tires/adam-s-tire-rubber-cleaner.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Laid GP Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 I tried that and it didn't get it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 shane@detailedreflections Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I'll usually steam small spots like this off. The heat turns the wax back to a liquid and you can simply wipe it away. Rich 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 falcaineer Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I'll usually steam small spots like this off. The heat turns the wax back to a liquid and you can simply wipe it away. Without access to a steamer, could a hair dryer or heat gun (carefully) work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 shane@detailedreflections Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I guess it could. I don't know if a hair dryer would be hot enough. A heat gun would be I would think. Just have to use with a lot of caution so you don't melt the plastic. I've never tried using either as an alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 LT1xL82 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 The heat gun has the potential to be a "Just before disaster struck I was thinking I really shouldn't be doing this!". falcaineer and 8675309'SS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 shane@detailedreflections Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 The heat gun has the potential to be a "Just before disaster struck I was thinking I really shouldn't be doing this!". I don't disagree with you. It's not the tool I would choose personally. The steamer is my go-to. I'm fortunate enough to have one to use though and know that's not the case for everyone. With a heat gun there is a very fine line of fixing the problem and creating another one. While it may work, it comes with high risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 8675309'SS Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) I assume most of you fine gentlemen don't use hair dryers. Therefore from experience, let me tell you most can get pretty hot. I would think plenty hot to melt wax. I agree with Joel's comment above. Chad, if you are going with heat to attempt removal, try hair dryer before heat gun. Least aggressive approach first, right? Edited January 8, 2017 by 8675309Maro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Odds and Ends Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 While I agree with what has already been said and cautioned about, if APC and/or Tire & Rubber cleaner hasn't taken it off, then there is a good possibility it isn't wax. Those two methods almost always work for me and I've seen some pretty bad examples roll through my shop. The best way to attack something like this is to know what it is in the first place. Many chemicals can affect/destroy ABS plastic, so proceed with caution. A toothbrush or nail brush does wonders when used with the aforementioned cleaners....lots more effective than a towel. I'll use an old wash cloth if I need more "bite" than a microfiber towel provides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 LFairbanks Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I tried that and it didn't get it off. Use an old toothbrush to agitate it. I have never run across wax residue that I couldn't get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Laid GP Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Toothbrush and tire/rubber cleaner seems to have done the trick. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 briarpatch Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 If that had failed you, a pink pencil eraser can get wax residue off of trim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 falcaineer Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) For the record, I agree with all concerns above on the heat gun and was not advocating for it. I was only thinking out loud...which usually gets me in trouble.Happy to hear the least aggressive method prevailed, yet again. P.S. Post #300! Edited January 14, 2017 by falcaineer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Laid GP
I've got some wax residue (or something) on the textured plastic on my wiper cowl and mirrors that I can not seem to get off. Anyone got any tricks for this?
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