Evo IX Black Plastics / Odors :'(

[Sev]

Unfortunately with this car being somewhat old, age and improper care has taken its toll. :'(



How do I go about cleaning the scratched/faded pillar trim on both sides. Also the plastic around the windows, where the wind visors used to be. There's still adhesive on all four doors. Also faded black plastics/mouldings? Like on the door handles.



The last thing is, how on earth to I get rid of odors? I've tried Febreze and Air Freshners haha....the trunk smells horrid because the last owner packed dog food in it constantly and it spilled, and I suspect he was a smoker as well.



I've attached some images so you guys can see what I'm talking about.

 

[Accumulator]

Sev- I usually remove adhesive residue with 3M Adhesive Remover, but it's getting hard to find.



For textured black plastic trim, one approach is to "paint" it with AutoInt/ValuGard's Exterior Trim Restoration Kit, third version ("ETRIII"). Link: http://d41922.u33.snhosting.net/wp-content/uploads/Exterior-Trim-Repair-Kit-III-ETR-III.pdf



Or try cleaning it up with Griot's Rubber Prep and then coat with Ultima's Tire and Trim Guard Plus (I think that's the name), which worked well on the neglected plastic trim on my Crown Vics. IF this approach doesn't work, then you probably need to do the ETRIII after all.



The smooth black trim around the sideglass and on the "B" pillars I'd clean up and LSP with something durable (or OptiCoat it). Note that those surfaces are sometimes a plastic film (over metal panels, and I'm thinking especially of the "B" pillars), and the black part of it can be *VERY* thin, so go easy..better to have it marred than need replacement; I've cut through with a few gentle passes with a mild pad/product combo. I've used some fairly potent abrasives on the Audis with no problems, but again, I've also cut through (on other vehicles) with mild combos so you just never know.



First I'd try something like KAIO (and the Klasse twins work great on such surfaces) and note that it might take many tries (not just half an hour's work by a long shot). Then, if necessary, I'd gradually and *very* carefully, ramp up the aggressiveness.