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Need advice on exterior plastic/rubber treatment

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Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 9:05a

I can't seem to find any products for use on plastic/rubber/vinyl that stays put, and I have tried quite a few. Is there anything out there that can stand up to a little rain?

I spent most of the weekend cleaning up my truck and used Adams VRT on the exterior trim. It rained last night and now the trim looks like shit. Plus, the VRT ran down the sides of the paint, streaking it up. I know it will just wipe off, but it is a pain in the ass.

I have used several different tire dressings over the years and most of them stick to the tires pretty well. Why can't someone make a similar product for plastic, vinyl and rubber trim?

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devnull
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 10:09a

Probably because a lot of those parts are non-porous, and won't really "absorb" liquids very well. What is probably needed is a plastic "wax".

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 10:20a

Maybe they just need to add some cyanoacrilate to the formula. If it won't absorb, make it stick.

ShowYa
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 10:32a

devnull is right on the money, plastic will not absorba product such as this. I have been in the detail aspect for years and it looks good for about 1-2 days and when the water hits it, it will run period.

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 11:02a

Well, how do the tire dressing products manage to stick?

I applied tire dressing (Armor-All tire foam) yesterday and it made it through the rain with no problems. I even used it on the inside surfaces of my plastic mud flaps and on the front wheel well plastic or rubber splash guard/inner fender doohickys.

Tom in Tacoma
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 11:42a

Because Armor-All sticks to stuff. Stuff like road grime, dust, dirt, small animals, insects and the occasional piece of lawn furniture.

I do this with good results; use Adam's VRT on the interior and door seals. For the tires I simply use Bleche-white cleaner and a brush followed by a good rinse. I don't put any dressing on the tires and, in my opinion, they look better than rubber covered with a coat of shiny liquid.

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 12:30p

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom in Tacoma

Because Armor-All sticks to stuff. Stuff like road grime, dust, dirt, small animals, insects and the occasional piece of lawn furniture.

I do this with good results; use Adam's VRT on the interior and door seals. For the tires I simply use Bleche-white cleaner and a brush followed by a good rinse. I don't put any dressing on the tires and, in my opinion, they look better than rubber covered with a coat of shiny liquid.

I am not really looking for the wet, shiny tire look, either. I was just using that as an example. I used the tire foam just because I had some left and I know that VRT and other general purpose trim dressings just don't last on exterior trim. Usually I just use Bleche-Wite on the tires and no dressing.

I do use the VRT on the interior plastic and vinyl and on all the door seals. It works really great for those things, and a tiny bit on one of Adams' detailing sponges goes a long way. VRT has a UV inhibitor and that is what I want for the exterior trim.

The rubber around the windows and the door handles look like crap if you don't use some kind of protectant. Cleaning alone does not do the trick.

The other pain in the ass thing about these products is how they run down the paint and leave streaks. Why does it have no problem sticking to my paint job?

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 12:53p

This is what I'm talking about:

Look at the streaking on the fender:

The pictures don't really show how bad it looks.

devnull
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 1:31p

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark05KR

The pictures don't really show how bad it looks.

Actually, I think they get the point across pretty well.

That's pretty ugly, no offense meant (for a change ;) )

But, I wouldn't be too happy, either.

Tom in Tacoma
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 1:33p

After applying VRT are you then wiping it off again to remove excess? I've never had that happen. I apply it with the Adams sponge applicator, rubbing it in as I go. Then when I've done all the parts I go back with a terry-cloth towel and rub the pieces down. Maybe you're putting too much on?

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 2:05p

I also use the Adams detail sponge. I can't see how I would be putting too much on. I put a very small amount on the sponge and work it into the sponge then apply it on the parts until it doesn't seem to be leaving any VRT on the surface. I do not go back and wipe it down when I am finished, but the treated surfaces are dry to the touch when I'm done.

97F1504RAD
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 8:22p

Here you go give this stuff a try.

http://www.justonce.com/

Use a MF covered sponge applicator to apply. Spray the applicator then wipe on. This stuff is very sticky do not spray it directly onto the plastis as it will get on the paint and is a PITA to remove. Trust me.

Richard

Edited by - 97F1504RAD on July 16 2007 8:28p

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 9:10a

Quote:

Originally posted by 97F1504RAD

Here you go give this stuff a try.

http://www.justonce.com/

Use a MF covered sponge applicator to apply. Spray the applicator then wipe on. This stuff is very sticky do not spray it directly onto the plastis as it will get on the paint and is a PITA to remove. Trust me.

Richard

So how well does that stuff hold up to rain and regular washes?

fundimotorsports
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 9:30a

Quote:

Yup. Keep that crap of your tires unless you got a trailer queen... A good tire cleanning will give you the same results. i have 3 inch white walls so tire shine is way out of the ? ....

fundimotorsports
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 9:34a

o ya to answer your ? .. Black or grey bumper paint from Wal-mart will touch up those grey area's.. Or just take the molding off. Cheap dallor tree leather treatment does great on interior rubber and door pannels , and door trim .Plus will not make a mess with that super getto shinny look. so bugs and dust stick on everything a week later..

I my self like the occasional hose explosion... That way all I have to do is one mass glass cleanning and my interior is nice and glossy..

97F1504RAD
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 10:09a

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark05KR

Quote:
Originally posted by 97F1504RAD

Here you go give this stuff a try.

http://www.justonce.com/

Use a MF covered sponge applicator to apply. Spray the applicator then wipe on. This stuff is very sticky do not spray it directly onto the plastis as it will get on the paint and is a PITA to remove. Trust me.

Richard

So how well does that stuff hold up to rain and regular washes?

It holds up very well after it dries it is kind of a hard coating. I actually use it on my Line-X covered Brushguard and Nerf Bars and I only have to re apply it about once every 6 months or so when i notice it starts losing some of it's sheen..

Richard

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 10:28a

Quote:

Originally posted by fundimotorsports

Quote:
Originally posted by Tom in Tacoma

Because Armor-All sticks to stuff. Stuff like road grime, dust, dirt, small animals, insects and the occasional piece of lawn furniture.

I do this with good results; use Adam's VRT on the interior and door seals. For the tires I simply use Bleche-white cleaner and a brush followed by a good rinse. I don't put any dressing on the tires and, in my opinion, they look better than rubber covered with a coat of shiny liquid.

Yup. Keep that crap of your tires unless you got a trailer queen... A good tire cleanning will give you the same results. i have 3 inch white walls so tire shine is way out of the ? ....

It was not Armor-All protectant that I used on the tires. It was Armor-All tire foam. A completely different product. I have used it before and it works pretty well and lasts for quite a while without attracting to much dust and dirt. Just don't drive the vehicle until it dries or it will fling off.

Besides, the tires are not really an issue for me. Cleaning them with Bleche-Wite is good enough. If I want to put on some kind of dressing, there are quite a few that I have tried that work well and last well.

I used to use Armor-All protectant years ago on the dash and door panels, etc. It was a pita because you had to wipe it on the go back and wipe off the excess. You were forced to do the entire interior twice. Plus, the dust would start collecting on the treated surfaces within minutes. Needless to say, I stopped using it as soon as I found something that worked better and was easier to apply.

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 10:37a

Quote:

Originally posted by fundimotorsports

o ya to answer your ? .. Black or grey bumper paint from Wal-mart will touch up those grey area's.. Or just take the molding off. Cheap dallor tree leather treatment does great on interior rubber and door pannels , and door trim .Plus will not make a mess with that super getto shinny look. so bugs and dust stick on everything a week later..

I my self like the occasional hose explosion... That way all I have to do is one mass glass cleaning and my interior is nice and glossy..

Sorry, but paint and/or removing the moldings are not options that I would consider.

The exterior trim looks great after the VRT has been applied. The VRT just doesn't stick when it gets wet. This seems to be the case with every product I have tried so far.

The Adams VRT product works excellent on the interior parts. No problems with attracting dust and it does have the UV protection. Since it doesn't rain inside the truck, it sticks pretty well.

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 10:46a

Quote:

Originally posted by 97F1504RAD

Quote:
Originally posted by Mark05KR

Quote:
Originally posted by 97F1504RAD

Here you go give this stuff a try.

http://www.justonce.com/

Use a MF covered sponge applicator to apply. Spray the applicator then wipe on. This stuff is very sticky do not spray it directly onto the plastis as it will get on the paint and is a PITA to remove. Trust me.

Richard

So how well does that stuff hold up to rain and regular washes?

It holds up very well after it dries it is kind of a hard coating. I actually use it on my Line-X covered Brushguard and Nerf Bars and I only have to re apply it about once every 6 months or so when i notice it starts losing some of it's sheen..

Richard

What else do you use it on? Window trim, door handles, etc.?

Do you have any pictures of how it looks right after application and then after it gets a get soaking from the rain or being washed?

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 11:44a

Ok, I tried something different. I may have tried this on my last truck once or twice, but I can't remember the end results.

Anyway, I used some Black Magic Tire Wet, applied with a cloth. The bottle says it can be used on plastic and vinyl as well as rubber/tires, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It looks good, not too shiny, but back to the nice dark black color it is supposed to have. Time (and rain) will tell if it is going to last.

DrSpeed
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 12:18p

Looks good Mark. I'd go easy on the bumper pads...they can can be really tricky when you decide to get in/out of the truck bed with the tail-gate up.

don't ask me how I know.

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 12:41p

Good tip!

devnull
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 3:11p

you missed a spot...

Tom in Tacoma
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 3:34p

Quote:

Originally posted by DrSpeed

Looks good Mark. I'd go easy on the bumper pads...they can can be really tricky when you decide to get in/out of the truck bed with the tail-gate up.

don't ask me how I know.

...or the pads on the side steps too!... (but that wasn't me that learned that lesson - nope, not me)

Mark05KR
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 3:46p

Quote:

Originally posted by devnull

you missed a spot...

WHERE???

97F1504RAD
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Posted - July 17 2007 : 5:30p

Nope i only use it on my brushguard and nerf bars.

Richard

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