jquattro

How do you get the wax residue from the black plastic pieces?

JohnLZ7W

If it's totally on the plastic, away from any paint, I use <a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/og_extrubbr_10229.html">One Grand ERV</a>. If it's in the gap between the paint and the plastic then I use <a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/og_showoff_10260.html">One Grand Show Off</a>.
However, neither Blitz wax nor P21S has ever left any staining on the black trim on my car. I have had Blitz get stuck in gaps and the Show off with a <a href="http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1005&SKU=15706">foam tipped swab</a> work great for removing.

jquattro

I have always used Eagle 1, McGuiers, or Mothers products. On other cars I have had with the black plastic trim: it always seems to hold the residue after polishing. I am concerned that the lower trim on my '02 A4 will do the same. The guys on the '02 forum talk about Ziano (sic) or Zymol. What do you use and how often do you need to apply it?

JohnLZ7W

I use the other Z wax, BlitZ I have also used P21S wax as well. Neither of these stain the trim on my TT but there's not a whole lot of it to begin with (just around the windows).
I'm not sure if the '02 A4 guys treat their lower body panels with any sort of plastic/vinyl dressing. If you do get any wax on it I'd think a bit of diluted car wash soap would get it right off. Maybe keep some in a small spray bottle for touch-ups after waxing?
You may also want to check over on the 02 A4 board since the unpainted lowers are pretty specifc to that model. The allroad crowd might have some ideas as well since their roof and wheel arches are similar material (I think).

jquattro

Thanks for the information!

Style12v

Zaino doesn't stain.. for wax on trim, use peanut butter it absorbes the oils

Singletrack

I just don't get close to it, or I'm very careful : ) ...or you can use masking tape.

Ted K

and then also rub the gasket's down with a rubber treatment afterwards, like One Grand ERV (external rubber and vinyl treatment)<ul><li><a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/og_extrubbr_10229.html">One Grand ERV</a></li></ul>

RKA

The guys here are right...use a better wax. Be careful and don't slop it all over the place. Alcohol and a toothbrush (for textured plastic) or a rag should breakdown and clean up the wax residue. Alternatively, treat the lower moldings with a rubber/vinyl dressing first, then follow with the wax. Wax will have a tough time sticking to the treated rubber and vinyl.

Zaino is also great, since it won't "stain" the plastic. While it does protect the paint, it's not a wax, it's a polymer system. I use and love Zaino. The shine is comparable to a carnauba (imho), the slickness of the surface, and the longevity surpasses a good carnuaba (imho). The only shortcoming with the Zaino system is that they don't make a product to CLEAN the paint. All of their products are very benign, and are designed to protect and enhance the shine of paint that is already in good, clean condition. For that reason, I mix in 3M Imperial Hand Glaze or 3M Imperial Machine Glaze into my Zaino routine.