I am going to wax my truck this weekend and it has alot of textured plastic, fender flares, box rail caps, steps on box sides, ect. I heard of a trick to keeping them clean when waxing so that they don't end up with a white film on them, but I can't remember what it was. Can someone help me out??

Thanks Paul

 

I have the same problem! It is nearly impossible to not get wax on the plastic while waxing. I have heard of putting something with oil in it (baby oil, armor all) on it before waxing so when the wax hits it you can wipe off.

I think RockPick can come up with a good idea!

 

good but laborous way Painters tape

Best way, just don't get wax on the damn plastic, take your time

 

The new F150's have quite a bit of plastic on them. When you are using a buffer to apply the wax its hard to get the grooves without hitting the plastic in some spots.

I have only used the machine once on my truck, and the other times i just applied by hand.

I guess painters tape is the way to go

 

Painter's tape works the best but if you do get it on there. Try using an eraser to get it off if it dries on the trim! Works great!

 

Peanut Butter, I've heard it for years, tried it a month ago on my door handles
I got a little amount of peanut butter on my finger, rubbed it in, and wax chalk was gone.

 

The Peanut Butter sounds like a mess! Are you sure the oils in the peanut butter are not just temporarily covering the wax up? Or does it acutually lift the wax off.

I may have to try. I think I heard you mention this in another thread awhile back.

 

I have several pieces of sheet metal ( house roof flashing works well). At the edge of the sheet metal I have a strip of duct tape to protect the pickup paint. I place the taped metal between the textured plastic and the paint to be waxed. It works well and the metal guards are alway there for a repeat performance. You can also trim out curved patterns with the sheet metal for those curved surfaces.

Where I do get some slight wax on the textured plastic I simply use a tooth brush dipped in water. Works fine.

 

Peanut butter is a temporary solution, the white chalky wax will reappear. The oils in the peanut butter basically mask the wax for a short period of time.

I use painters tape and if I still manage to get any wax on the plastic I get out an eraser.

- Chris

 

I used foil tape because I didn't have any painter's tape around. It worked great, but is probably alot more costly than painter's tape.

 

Use the machine to apply to the large main areas, then go back with that bonnet that has the wax on it and get the tight areas around and near plastic components.

 

I used the blue painter's tape for the first time this afternoon and it seemed to work well.

Thanks for the eraser tip!

 

I'd just use 3m painter's tape, like the safe release or automotive (blue or green). It you do get wax on plastic trim, quickly wipe it off before it cures and use a detailing spray.

 

Well, I ended up detailing the truck today. 6 hours later I am finally done.... I used the 3M painters tape (blue) for mask off all the plastic, and on my truck a FX4 Flareside there is tons of it. I think more than any other truck, it was a pain but is done. Thanks for all the hints!!
Paul

 

Painter's tape is what I use, but if you still manage to get some on, you can use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but BE VERY CAREFUL, because it can cause some damage. Only use it on the textured stuff too.