Per the subject, I have a 2004 F150 Lariat with the chrome/chrome-like trim strip around the grill.

I'm wondering what methods and products people are using to care for this trim.

Are you just treating it as plastic? Are you using a plastic polish or a protectant or both?

Not that I would think anyone would be using Chrome Polish on it (maybe they are) but is anyone waxing this with their paint care?

To-Date I've just been using Showtime Detailer to keep it dusted and shiney. I don't think something that was a bit more of a Protectant would absorb, would it?

If I see something that Showtime won't remove, should I use the Plastic Polish?

I feel weird having something on the nose that isn't slathered in a protective coat of carnauba wax (Love Bug Season is in full force down here).

 

Any metal polish will do fine and then top off with wax or my favorite Zaino.

 

Anyone agree with this?

My first instinct is "but it's not metal".

 

My bad........

Missed the "chrome like"

 

No problem.

I'm not even sure that's why I said "chrome/chrome-like". If it is chrome, it's chrome on plastic and seems to have some kind of plastic coating on top of it as well. But again, not really sure.

For now I'm treating it like plastic, but, it also doesn't seem porous like either the rubber on side mirrors, front spoiler, rear step bumper, or, the even the gray plastic on the dash, so it doesn't absorb Protectant.

and I'm afraid to really go at it like I would say a chrome bumper.

The only thing I've felt safe rubbing it with is Showtime (Equivalent to Final Inspection for Megalos ) but I don't think that will really protect it.

Sort of a quandry.

Even though I don't use them on the paint, I'm actually considering a synthetic sealant like Meg #20 or Klasse. That might build right up on there even if it's not a porous or 'living' material like paint.

Anyone have some ideas?

 

Are you looking to clean it or protect it?

 

protect it. mostly from the impact of bugs at high speed.

FWIW, the bug shield would not cover it, nor would does something like that InvisiGard or 3M film that would cover the upper and lower bumpers and headlights.

 

Couple coats of wax would be about the best protection / barrier that I know of.

This will just allow you to clean / wash them off easier. I currently use Zaino and from past experience....bugs washed off easier with wax. When I lived in CT, bugs were a bigger problem for me than now closer to the city. Bugs were a pain to clean up after but I never got any dings or pit marks from them.

 

The chrome like plastic is just chrome colored paint. Protect it with your favorite wax.

 

Thanks, will do then. Favorite wax? Well, there's no shine like MOTHERS

:ducking:

 

That's why I said your favorite wax. If you are happy with whatever you use, I have no reason to argue. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the best wax and depend on personal needs/preferences.

 

amen.

thanks for the help.