Jescar Ultra Lock+ making trim white :/ and rubber trim suggestions please :)

IcarusLSC

IcarusLSC

Member
I applied Jescar Ultra Lock+ to my car back in May and all I read said it would be fine (non-whitening/staining) for trim etc so I applied it to that too.

It started out looking good, no white but has slowly started doing this now. It has been getting whiter and whiter around any rubber and the windshield wiper cowl areas etc. I'm about to give the car a polish again and try to fix a couple scratches I got recently so wanted to try to get rid of the white residue.

I've tried a white eraser which kinda worked, but will take a month and many of them to do the whole car ;) I tried my old electric toothbrush and it didn't do anything, though I was trying it dry without any APC/cleaner etc.

Should I try again the an APC and electric toothbrush, get a better electric brush, or try something else?
Pic below is the plastic wiper cowl, rubber around windows is the same now.

Thanks :)

PS: any suggestions for getting the rubber looking a little bit better/not so dry, its really starting to dry out and crack now on my 12yr old 2014 Chrysler 300 and I want to hopefully slow it down :/

PPS: I can't attach files, it just says they are to big even if I reduce them 50% :(

https://imgur.com/a/7ks3FH7
 
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In the past I had good luck using the Black Wow Pre-Wow cleanser product. It seems to be a little harder to get nowadays but it used to be available at most online detailing stores. I would guess there are lots of APC type products that would also work to clean the trim.

Chances are now you will want or need to use a trim restorer / dye product to get back to nice looking trim after cleaning it up as good as possible.
 
I use Optimum Polymer Technology's Power Clean (OPT-PC) diluted 1:3 for cleaning badly faded trim or exterior rubber seals. You may want to use a cheaper microfiber towel to do so, as the rubber seals will turn any media you use black and it never seems to come out. I use blue paper shop towel on rubber seals as they are pretty tough and a throw-away cleaning media.
I assume ANY good All-Purpose Cleaner will work, though. I also have used Illinois Tool Work's Spray Nine undiluted, available over-the-counter at Walmart in the RV section. This cleaner is a "sleeper product" because it is not well-known and can be used in for variety of cleaning chores on vehicles and around the house. I like it because it has disinfectant chemicals added to its formula and it cleans very well.

I now use Griot's Garage's Ceramic Trim Restorer on vinyl trim and exterior rubber seals. Works great for me. Just make sure it has ample time (12 hours) to cure before subjecting it to water or rain per manufacturer's label directions.

Many pro's, however, use Finish Solutions Trim Restorer for the ultimate trim protectant. Yes, I have some, but have yet to try it out (just too lazy to put on the required protective nitrile gloves to apply it! Don't ask.....)

Another option is ClearKote's Vinyl Protectant Wipes available over-the-counter at Walmart or most auto parts stores. Never tried this either, so whatever I say is conjecture and taken from the advice of others.

One suggestion I will make about polishing your vehicle is to tape off the seals and trim with some type of automotive painters tape (I use 3M's Blue Painter's Tape) Yes, it is a hassle and time-consuming, but it prevents whitening of trim with polish or scratching rubber seals and getting your foam pads all black as you polish. Don't overlook this step! I tape BEFORE I clean and protect trim or seals because the tape sticks better and if (when!) tape adhesive residue sticks to the trim or seals, it can be cleaned off with 3M's No. 08984 General-Purpose Adhesive Remover OR Krud Kutter's Ultra-Power Specialty Adhesive Remover, again on a blue paper shop towel/sheet. (yes, I know, more hassle and more work....) The Krud-Kutters UPSAR is really good at getting tar or asphalt sealant out of footwell or floor mat carpet fabric. (Another little-know product)
 
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Wow, Lonnie, that was a lot of good information! I nominate you for member of the week!

Spray Nine--I first heard about that product, um...a long time ago. And thanks for cluing me in on UPSAR, I'd never heard of that one. You piqued my interest by mentioning a ClearKote product, but googling that I only came up with Cerakote--is that what you meant?
 
Yes, it is indeed CeraKote (the much beloved As-Seen-On-TV ads), not ClearKote. Thanks for the correction, Setec.
Who is the detailer in these TV ads who is promoting/endorsing these products? (Not some former "well-known & respected" Autopian, I hope!)

And, yes, I was going to start a new thread about Spray Nine Cleaner. Seems to me it was kind of "promoted" during the COVID years because of its disinfecting properties. I like it because it OTC at Walmart and it cleans very well for an "affordable" RTU product.
One of the best uses of this product is on microwave ovens (don't laugh!) because it really breaks up the yellow film that forms on all the surfaces over time, while disinfecting the surfaces. White paper toweling will prove how really disgusting this film can build up inside a microwave or where the air exhaust it!
I also think I endorsed it for use for cleaning up moldy interiors that were flood damage, then realized how health-dangerous it is for anyone who does not have the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like a full-fledged hospital-grade HEPA respirator or bio-hazard suite to undertake such a task.
 
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Thanks for the direction all. I've always tried to use products that don't stain trim, so it doesn't matter if I apply it to the trim (I figured it would do well to protect these parts as well?!) but I obviously was wrong about Jescar Ultra Lock+. It was fine for most of the year since I applied it, just started going white over the end of the summer :/

I have some 3D APC I will try it out. Its been sitting in my cabinet doing nothing anyways lol... I was eyeing a cordless little cleaning brush as well on Amazon, might try that too?

Black Wow and Pre-wow doesn't seem to be available up here anymore that I can find.

I also have a jug of Spray Nine but only use it in the house for gooey messes that need disinfecting as I really don't like the smell of it, and it can be harsh/bleaching/bad on some plastics and aluminum I've found...

As for protecting it after cleaning I was thinking Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Graphene Acrylic Trim Restorer. I have heard/read a few issues with Cerakote going spotty and being very hard to fix after a while, especially on smoother plastics!?!

PS: Does CanCoat turn trim white?! ;) I'm thinking of trying this as I wasn't impressed with Jescar Ultra Lock+
 
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OK, did not know that Spray Nine can discolor or bleach some plastics or aluminum. That seems to be a repeating occurrence on some materials by strong cleaners. Super Clean (the purple stuff) falls into that category. There are some novice detailers who have whitened or bleached aluminum engine parts trying degrease and clean engine compartments or after-market aluminum rims with the "wrong" cleaner.

Personally, I like the "clean" smell of Spray Nine, but to each their own.
 
I've had great success with Mothers Back-to-Black Trim & Plastic Restorer, when all else failed.

It's a gel and comes with its own 'toothbrush'. It's not a dressing but a proper cleaner.

MO_06112_B2B_Restorer_12oz_840x1068_Shopify_062524_600x.png
 
bad penny said:

Garry Dean's Trim Hydrate is the one you want. These other recommendations are straight up garbage.
Trust me 😇
Click to expand...
I can only find one place selling it up here and they want $110+ shipped for 16oz, ouch. :(

What makes it so much better then anything else?
 
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