Applying rubber/plastic dressing...

WuNgUn

WuNgUn

New member
What techniques do you use on body moldings and such, that it doesn't get on the paint?
At least once a year, I'll liberally COAT all my plastic trim/grills/plastic with Armour All, then brush it into any nooks and crannies with a soft bristled brush, and let it sit for a few hours...then I'll wash it off with a mild soap water solution. I end up with nice, even coloured, shiny plastic, but without that fake looking super shine...
But on a week to week basis, I need a technique more delicate :)
 
Well, to be more specific, how do you apply it without getting it all over the rest of the car? Before you wash? After? Mask the finish?
 
WuNgUn said:
Well, to be more specific, how do you apply it without getting it all over the rest of the car? Before you wash? After? Mask the finish?
Click to expand...

Good question. I've just been wiping/cleaning the over spray, but that is getting to be a PITA and a waste.
 
I use a sponge to apply TR or other dressings and it works well. A professional detailer I know recommends applying dressing before waxing or applying sealant, that way it will get any that gets on the paint. I just try to be careful and use a QD after to get any that went on the paint.
 
For delicate applications I have a bunch of foam bits I've cut up from a larger foam. I use these bits in my fingers or I hold them with broad plastic tweezers.
I also buy cheap towels from the dollar store and cut them up as needed into much smaller bits, the bits trimmed to the specs needed for the job. These are used to buff the little areas already dressed.

I just toss the used parts in the garbage after I've used them - they're too small to reuse anyway.
-John C.
 
lonewolf0420 said:
Get some Trim Restore and apply, let sit, then buff.
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I had problems with getting TR on my paint with the sprayer so what I started doing is spraying it on my microfibre a little heavy and wiping down all of the trim then going back and buffing it a little. Seemed to last a very well that way too.
 
WuNgUn said:
Well, to be more specific, how do you apply it without getting it all over the rest of the car? Before you wash? After? Mask the finish?
Click to expand...

Steve recommends applying TR LIBERALLY to trim and THEN Polishing/Sealing/Waxing. Allow it to sit while you give the paint it's attention. Then, go back and buff it off with a towel. He said the liberal application and waiting to buff it off will keep the polish from staining your trim...and he does that in lieu of masking the trim....saves time. If you get polish on the trim, the TR will keep it from staining...so, when you buff it off, the trim is clean AND treated.

I use a foam paintbrush (get 'em at Wal-Mart for $.50 each for the biggest ones - and they have variety of sizes). They help you be fairly precise with the TR.
 
I just juse a diaper cloth to apply my trim/molding dressings. You can use it in a big area if you're working on a vehicle with a ton of trim or you can use a folded corner if you need to get into a tighter area. I usually apply my dressings after a wash and always before I do any polishing.
 
I apply dressing on the car after the LSP, sprayed on a foam pad you have to be careful not to get it on the paint.....I wait for a few them buff with a clean MFT....What dose get on the paint can be easily removed with some QD or S&W sprayed on a MFT and wiped up clean
 
WuNgUn said:
Well, to be more specific, how do you apply it without getting it all over the rest of the car? Before you wash? After? Mask the finish?
Click to expand...

I always treat the trim before applying lsp as well. It's a good habit to get into. It allows it to dwell before removing excess and it keeps the possibilty of wax getting embedded in your trim from becoming a problem.

Troy

BTW, Don't apply it before using a compund or product that creates dust because it will attract the dust and make for a bit of a mess.
 
Don't use dressing but something that works on paint and trim like ultra gloss superpolish, machine or hand apply some acrylic jett non trigger. It will turn to plastic and should never stain or fade. Keep it topped with aquawax.
 
i apply dressing before polishing/waxing. i use a 2" paintbrush spraying it away from the car and applying it to the tire this way you can apply it in thin coats, no need to buff, it won't sling off and onto the sides of the car afterwards.as for the rest of the interior or other trim i use a sponge applicator, again spraying the applicater away from the car.:rockon
 
I thought I was the only one using the foam paint brushes. I never heard anyone ever mention it before.
I buy them from a place near home that sells cheap tools and they have a big bag of them for a dollar.
Best thing I have found to apply trim dressing with..
 
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