General A Cosmetic Problem

[John R Smith]

Well, perhaps this is a sign that I have become terminally obsessed with my little 500, but I have even taken to cleaning and polishing it, and it's a long time since I did that unless I was forced to. Now I know that there are lots of people here who are pretty expert at this kind of thing (Mark, are you around?), so here is a little cosmetic issue which is really getting me annoyed.

I can't find a polish or cleaner which works on the black plastic bit between the bonnet and the screen, where the wipers sit. Everything I have tried just leaves nasty white smears all over it when dry. Can you recommend the right cleaner for the job (and which will work on the other black plastic bits too, like the foglamp housing). Thanks in advance

John

 

[Mark Elvin]

If you are after an off the shelf product Auto Glym bumpaer care is quite good. But if you have polish on the plastic you need this - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/wax-blaster-wax-remover/prod_346.html

I don't use polish on the car at the moment, paint is in good condition so I just use a wax - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/dodo-juice-blue-velvet/prod_404.html

You'll need to clean the paint carefully first, with this stuff (it's non abrasive) - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/polish/sonus-paintwork-cleaner/prod_46.html

also when drying, use a waffle towel - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/sonus-der-wunder-drying-towel-pkg/2/prod_84.html

And a little spray of this whilst drying makes the towel slide easier & lessens th chance of damaging the paint - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-sprays/meguiars-ultimate-quik-detailer/prod_361.html

 

[John R Smith]

Right. Thanks Mark - you can guess where I'll be heading in my lunch break

John

 

[Peco]

Hey thanks, this is just the thread I was needing.

Cheers Cleaning Guru!

 

[John R Smith]

Just to confirm that tests this week have shown -

Autoglym Bumper Care is indeed the business for all those black plastic bits - now they look great - and you can use it on rubber, too.

The red bambino says thank you again, Mark.

John

 

[rallycinq]

Black plastic bits also respond well to peanut butter.

Cheers

D

 

[Venters]

Black plastic bits also respond well to peanut butter.

Cheers

D

And baby oil
and shoe shine
and a Hair Dryer.

 

[white 500]

Black plastic bits also respond well to peanut butter.

Cheers

D

watch out for pesky birds in the summer though

i also recomend autoglym bumpercare

 

[andyBBB]

And baby oil

don't we all fnar fnar