I am wondering if any Autopians have used McKee`s 37 Wax Remover, which I assume, is "similar" to the Black Fire Wax Remover in the link listed above.
Some older-vintage (pre-VOC legislation) waxes may contain solvents that stain softer plastic vinyl trim, like mid door trim used to protect against door dings.
I have also seen asphalt tar on lower panel plastic that will "stain" this trim because of the solvents.
One method I use for getting long-dried wax out of textured plastic trim is to use a stiff-bristled old tooth brush and Meg`s D101 APC diluted 3:1 or Optimum`s Power Clean diluted 3:1 (water to product) and some "gentile-vigorous" brushing. If that did not remove it, well, I left it alone rather than making it worse by abrading and scratching such trim pieces. DON"T MAKE THE MISTAKE of using a wire brush or Mr. Clean`s Scrubbing Pads for a brushing or scrubbing media, respectively. They just do not work well on soft textured plastic without risk of scratching such trim. I know it sounds "common sense", but as humorist Will Rogers once said "I guess common sense ain`t so common after all."
Which leads to another thought on plastic trim pieces on whether you should clean and dress them before you tape them for machine correction and polishing, in which case the painter`s tape does not stick all that well. Some detailers do this and then avoid the taping process all together and state they do a "careful" motion with said machine buffer as they correct and polish (RIIIIIGHT!!) to avoid damaging such trim and if compound or polish gets on such trim pieces, clean-up is easier. I would think that taping first of such trim and then leaving that on through the correction , polishing, and waxing (whether by hand or with a machine) steps would be a more logical (AKA, common sense) process, but some individuals do not like taping off such trim pieces because of the cost, time, and effort it takes. That might be true of those detsailers who use a Porter-Cable Dual-Action (PC-DA) with its diminutive power and "short" 8mm stroke, but those who use a Long-Throw Dual-Action (LT-DA) or rotary know how much damage such machines can inflict on soft plastic trim and brushed metal trim. It is ugly and easy to spot on such vehicles when it is done. Rookie (notice I did not imply "Stupid". We do not say "Stupid" in this forum, even if it is!) mistake not to tape off such trim pieces. Penny wise and pound foolish?? You be the judge. Yes, there is the "problem" of the tape adhesive sticking to the trim, especially if it the ambient temperature is hot , which will happen if you are a mobile detailer working outside on such a summer`s day in a client`s driveway. Adhesive I can remove. Trim scuff marks are not so easy to "cover up".
