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Cladding: cleaning and care tar sap wax removal

B

Bigger_is_Better

Charter Member
Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2002
Messages
13
Location
Northern New Jersey
I just picked up my new AV and have not waxed it yet. I saw alot of postings about Zaino and will probablly get some. However my question is what about the composite panels? I had another GM car and I got wax on the bumper and it imbeded in the plastic forever. Will this happen???
 
I have used 3M Sharpshooter degreaser/cleaner on my panels with no problem. Another thought is to get a cheap electric toothbrush like a battery operated one. That will get into the nooks and crannies and remove wax.
 
I read somewhere (a tip from Sal Zaino,I think) that peanut butter will remove wax from the cladding. Zaino is a polymer,not a wax,and should not affect the cladding if some gets on it. :) :)
 
you know those erasers that look like a pencil? They are the clicker kind? White eraser well these work to get wax off of plastic real well. I didnt believe it til i tried it
 
Zaino if applied to thick can get on the plastic and look like a white haze. Apply it thin and be careful it is better than most waxes.

Tip:

Apply protectants prior to waxing as the protectant will help make clean up easier if you get any on the cladding.
 
I try to help! ;D
 
RyanbabZ71 said:
you know those erasers that look like a pencil? ?They are the clicker kind? ?White eraser well these work to get wax off of plastic real well. ?I didnt believe it til i tried it
Click to expand...

:) Thanks Ryanbabz71 that worked great.

vinnie
 
AV had it's first wash since Oct purchase.

It was light road film but a sponge and car wash
just didn't seem to clean the panels.

Was thinking about using a brush but might damage
the plastic. Has anyone found a product that helps
in cleaning. This could be a point for the Cadillac
smooth panels.
 
For the cladding I use a soft wash brush from OXO. They intend them for paint but I prefer not to use it on paint.

For stubborn spots (bugs & such) I use an old micro fiber towel dipped in the soap.

Use regular car shampoo which ever is your favorite but try not to use those wash and wax ones as they will leave a film on your truck which prohibits waxes and sealants from properly bonding.
 
Ive found the best way to remove excess wax that gets on the textured panels is to let it dry and then use a stiff bristled toothbrush. Once the wax dries, the toothbrush lifts it right out of the crevices.
 
I have used a product called Black Chrome sealant/protectant made by Turtle Wax on the cladding since day one and it has given it a good protection and it also removes excess wax. I have also used it on the ruber/vinyl trim on my Corvette with excellent results. It is available at most auto parts store. Out here in San Francisco, I buy it a Kragen's Auto.
 
P.S. Be careful if you put it on the step sides because it becomes very slippery when wet. My mother-in-law almost slipped off it. Very bad.
 
White vinyl drafting eraser. Try it, it works well. Be careful near the paint i would hate for you to swirl it up. they sell them at office depot. They come in a pen type dispensor for tight areas and normal eraser brick style too.


Other methods:

QD spray with a Micro fiber towel
Soak with peanut butter then wipe clean
Small soft toothbrush sprayed with QD
Plastic/vinyl cleaners with a towel
 
Simply green with a tooth brush for touch up. Simply green with a soft bristle scrub brush for large areas. Don't scrub the paint!
 
:8:Goo got the hail; my wife returned from her parents with tar slung on the cladding and wheels. Any other experience with the best method of removal?
 
I have some road tar on my cladding also. I tried bug/tar remover and that is very tedious. Is there another product out there for easier removal?
:6:

Gary

 
Hey Tim,

Glad to hear from ya...too bad its not under better circumstances!

Best thing I've ever used for tar removal was a substance called Carbona. It was based upon a 1,1,1 Trichloroethane formula, which they use for degreasing and in dry cleaning. Real good stuff for tar and pitch removal. Unfortunately it is outlawed for consumer use now. :6:

Perhaps just try using some mineral spirits on a rag and then when you get it off ....hit the cladding with some 303 protectant or Zaino tire dressing compound as soon as possible. This should keep the plastic from drying out and changing to a lighter or different color after using the mineral spirits.

Good luck........ and nice to see you back on the boards! I'm up to 11,100 miles on my baby now and still loving it! :B:
 
Ah, the good old days . . .

When such as Carbona, CarbonTet, and TCE were available to the public . . . and let's not forget Freon R-12 at 99 cents a can at K-Mart! ? But I digress . . .

I usually take a bit of Dawn and mix it with commercial tar and bug remover (but I bet mineral spirits would work too). ?On paint, a soft cloth does the trick, on textured plastic (i.e. cladding, etc.) a soft toothbrush works well. ?The soap seems to keep the solvent in place so as to keep it from running off as easily.

Followup with a re-wash to get rid of the oily solvent, and then either wax paint or put protectant on the plastic.
 
WD-40 works great when tar is on the paint...I haven't tested it on the cladding though. Has anyone else?
 
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