Bought my F150 about a month ago new. Already having issues with splashes as seen below in various spots along the window trim. They will not rub off when I try to clean it with a normal wash. How can I clean/protect that?




The next one is the running boards, they have dirt grime that is not cleaning off with normal washing. What is recommended to clean that time of material?




I have read some of the detail threads, but not sure with the truck being this new that I should use some of those products that are suggested yet.

 

A Mr. Clean/ Magic eraser sponge will clean both, But DONT rub the paint with sponge. I have also had luck on the running boards with any household cleaner and a stiff plastic bristle brush.

 

take it to a local body shop or detail shop. if you want to get rid of it for good, you need a body prep solvant. we use a product called 440. its used to prep cars for paint, strips wax and other unwanted substances. its perfectly safe to use. if you can get your hands on some, put it on a terry cloth or micro fiber, not directly on the vehicle. then rub the area lightly with the cloth until the blemishes disappear or whatever the splashes are. when it dries, you will notice that all areas touched by the 440 have become cloudy. dont be alarmed, thats normal. But, don't leave it on there for more than 2-3 minutes. Wash those areas immediately with a good caranuba wash. sometimes youll have to wash a few times in a row to remove the 440. but when the cloudiness is gone, youre good. you are gonna want to use some paint sealer, wipe and shine or a good wax on that area as the 440 removes the blemishes and the wax. I would recommend paint sealer on the running boards and a wizards wipe and shine on the moldings and rubber trim. hope it helps, sorry for the long explanation. best of luck

 

Really? Body solvent on rubber trim on a new truck? What ever happened to least aggressive method first around here, you guys seem to jump right to harsh chemicals that in the wrong hands can do major damage.

Why don't we take a step back and examine why this is happening and what is causing it.

To the OP....How new is this truck and where do you park it? Outside, garage, under trees? Where do you live? Is this ozone/chemical fall out from rain in a highly industrial area? Is this hard water damage or etching into the plastic? Did you run through some chemical on the road? Details....

As for the plastic running boards, there are many ways to clean this but just using a cleaner isn't gonna get it due to the texture. You're going to need some detail brushes, a cleaner that is "safe" for plastics. For least aggressive, I would try something as easy to get as "Tuff Stuff" and allow the foam to dwell for 20-30 seconds on a 1x1 ft area, and use a soft bristle detail brush and agitate the product in, then allow to dwell another min or so, then wipe off and inspect. If that doesn't get the plastic running boards clean, its time to step up to another cleaner like APC+ mixed properly, even for upholstery at 10:1 would be plenty to clean those boards.

As for the trim, this looks like something is on it...you need to remove it, I would try first again something mild...take a look at PB NLD, it has a mild cleaning agent in it. What you DON'T want to do on new rubber trim is remove the top coating of rubber, once you do that, it will be a constant battle of making it look black again. There is something on that trim based on the photos.

Give us more details, what have you tired thus far on both the rubber and the plastic to clean?

Where in TX are you? If you happen to be in the DFW area, i would be more than happy to take a look at it for you, it would be much better to see in person. I am in Keller. I happen to know a thing or two about detailing...

 

To the OP....How new is this truck and where do you park it? Approx 1 month old Outside, garage, under trees? Garage Where do you live? Lewisvile TX Is this ozone/chemical fall out from rain in a highly industrial area? Just ozone as you know Is this hard water damage or etching into the plastic? It does not seem like it, it seems like a chemical Did you run through some chemical on the road? No, but I have run it through a car wash, but to the best of my knowledge it was already on there before I ran it through. Details....

Another view:






Give us more details, what have you tired thus far on both the rubber and the plastic to clean? The only thing after a wash I have used so far is Megs Quick Detailer

Where in TX are you? Lewisville If you happen to be in the DFW area, i would be more than happy to take a look at it for you, it would be much better to see in person. I am in Keller. I happen to know a thing or two about detailing... [/QUOTE]

I might take you up on that, I used to detail back in high school, but there has been many advancements and of course that was not my focus.

 

acksman,

Nice that you are local. That is a better shot, any chance that is just the Megs QD splattered on it or was it like that before you used the megs qd?

What I would try is very simple, would take some Megs HD and see how it does...wait a few days and recheck it.

Did you try using the Megs QD on it? That may also remove the splattering of what ever it is.

 

Thanks,

I will give the HD a try and let you know the results.

 

My money is on the spots on the trim are overspray from tire shine.

 

I have the spots from the tire shine. How do you get rid of that from the black rubber window trim?

 

I would try a vinyl cleaner first and see how that works. That will usually do the trick.

 

For cleaning, try some "Orange" cleaner, then try some ICE liquid polish.