Black trim on Convertible

[WXman]

Hey guys,

I posted this on the detailing section, but haven't gotten any feedback yet, so I figured I'd post it here to see if I could get any responses.

What do you folks use to clean/detail the black piece that goes across the back but in front of the trunk lid? What material is this piece? It doesn't feel like rubber or molding. I'm having a hard time finding something that works good and lasts. I've used Meguiar's Trim Detailer, but it builds up and only looks good for a day or so.

Any Ideas?? Thanks!

[vice]

I have a 2007, that I got in July. I started out using Mother's 100% pure paste wax, but it didn't last. Now I just use the regular pour bottle wax that I use on the rest of the car. It seems to be metal. Watch you don't get any on the top, oil containing products are bad for it. I put Ragg Top on it to protect from the UV rays.

[PXLpainter]

I polished mine with the rest of the car every 5-6 months - then in-between times, I go over it with Meguiar's Interior Detailer as I do the rest of the rubber/plastic with the top down. It dries clean with no residue or streaking and the polish continues to protect it from oxidation.

[WXman]

Thanks guys. I've used Raggtopp before and it worked pretty well. Meguiar's makes a canvass cleaner and protectant that work better IMHO.

I'll try the Interior Detailer this weekend. Since it's appears to be metal, maybe I'll just wash it and wax it along with the rest of the body.

[WXman]

Just an update... I washed and waxed the black metal area today. Since it was dirty and had lots pf buildup from other products, I chose Meguiars Cleaner Wax (it was a free sample bottle from their Smooth Surface Clay Kit). It worked like a champ! It's back to black and shiny and smooth to the touch.

[MCOjerry]

I'm gonna have to try that, mine looks horrible!

[WXman]

Make sure to work it in well with a clean terry cloth. After it dries, remove it with either a clean terry cloth or microfiber, or use a buffer. It took a couple of applications to remove all of the other stuff I had tried out.

Good luck!

[Down2TheC]

I'm guessing it's just painted aluminum. I just wash it and it's fine. Never applied anything special.

[MCOjerry]

I'm guessing it's just painted aluminum. I just wash it and it's fine. Never applied anything special.

You have no funky discoloration?

[whdean]

From the For-What-It's-worth department -

I have an '05 convertible and I have always used Klasse All-in-One polish, followed by Klasse Sealant glaze. It's an acrylic polymer polish and a clear finish glaze (2 separate products). After washing, I use Sonus Spritz as a quick detailer - It's made to work with the Klasse products to bring the finish back to a just-waxed look.

I have never had any wax-like buildup, and the black cowl around the top of the trunk shines like it did when it was new.

I suspect that the discoloration is an effect of the wax over time. If you were to take the wax off and use the Klasse products - first the AIO and then the Glaze, I think you would be happy.

Hope this helps.

[Down2TheC]

I'm guessing it's just painted aluminum. I just wash it and it's fine. Never applied anything special.

You have no funky discoloration?

If I do, it's uniform enough that you can't tell. But she's mostly in the garage and rarely out in bad weather, and only 25Kmiles... so that may be the diff.