Bad Case Of Mold On Rubber Trim

**bswombaugh** · 08-08-2015, 03:12 PM

I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra that has a bad case of what looks like mold/mildew on the exterior rubber trim around the windows. I have tried various cleaners and APC`s and nothing seems to work. What can I use to remove this stuff ? Would Acetone possibly work ? Maybe even wetsanding ?

**GearHead_1** · 08-08-2015, 03:19 PM

Bleach will kill mold if that`s actually what it is. Of course it`s bleach, use carefully.

**Stokdgs** · 08-08-2015, 06:28 PM

In the rainy, moldy, little trees growing out of the trunk jambs, etc., Pacific Northwest, the only thing I ever used very successfully was Einszett (1-Z) Deep Plastic Cleaner..
It killed and removed everything from rubber, plastic, conditioned it, turned it blacker if it was black, and left it perfect and protected..
Dan F

**MiVor** · 08-09-2015, 09:17 AM

I would test a spot with some isopropyl alcohol.

**Accumulator** · 08-09-2015, 12:03 PM

I`d probably try Griot`s Rubber Prep first. Though I might just use a regular mold-killer product made for janitorial/etc. use (I use Mold Stat).

**bswombaugh** · 08-09-2015, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by MiVor

I would test a spot with some isopropyl alcohol.

I have tried isopropyl alcohol and straight D101. Neither one even touches it. These mold spots appear to be etched into the rubber. It doesn`t appear that it is just something sitting on the top of the rubber. I am thinking about trying some Tuff Shine Tire Cleaner since it works so well on rubber tires.

**conquistador** · 08-09-2015, 03:50 PM

This is a common problem with Toyota trucks built in the 2000`s. Magic eraser is the only thing thats worked for other people. I personally have not tried it yet.

**bswombaugh** · 08-09-2015, 08:38 PM

I wonder if a Trim Restorer such as Solution Finish would cover the mold damage and return the trims consistent color back ?

**Accumulator** · 08-10-2015, 02:58 PM

What, I`m the only guy here who uses a Mold Remediation Product to kill mold? Safe as can be too, won`t hurt anything but the mold IME.

I`d still try the Rubber Prep first if only because it`d be sitting there on the shelf while the MoldStat (full name = MoldStat Plus) is in the basement of the house

**bswombaugh** · 08-12-2015, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the idea about the Magic Eraser. The Magic Eraser with the Tuff Shine tire cleaner was the combo that I needed. It removed just about all of the etched mold and gave me a nice uniform appearance. Thanks again for everyone`s replys.

**Stokdgs** · 08-12-2015, 11:20 AM

Glad that Magic Eraser worked for you..
Hope it didnt remove anything else along with the mold or whatever that was necessary on the rubber trim..
Dan F

**bswombaugh** · 08-12-2015, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Stokdgs

Glad that Magic Eraser worked for you..
Hope it didnt remove anything else along with the mold or whatever that was necessary on the rubber trim..
Dan F

Thanks Dan. This trim was so bad the customer was considering to have it replaced. There was no real expectations so everything was on the table and I could get as aggressive as needed. The Magic Eraser did remove all the gloss from the rubber but left it with a nice flat consistent finish that I can now dress with Perl or some other protectant to restore its luster. Its not perfect, but looks 100% better and considering the expensive alternative of replacement I think the customer is going to be extremely happy.