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How to: Cleaning door window trim

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by PatrickR, Jun 5, 2016.

  1. Jun 5, 2016 at 1:14 PM
    #1
    PatrickR

    PatrickR [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    NKY
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    2007 TRD Sport 4x4 DCSB
    I've been a member here for about 3 years, and though I don't post much, I read a lot. I've done many of the mods found here and am so grateful for the amount of information that's available. Here's a little bit of a pay-back to the awesome members of Tacoma World...

    I've been bitten by the detailing bug lately and have been researching various products for use on my vehicles. I have a white '07 TRD Sport that I'm about to clay bar, polish, etc. One spot that has been bothering me is the rubber trim that sits below the windows on the doors. Mine was looking nasty to say the least. No amount of washing/scrubbing would remove the brown spots that were on the rubber trim.

    Today I decided to do some tests. I gathered my Simple Green, LA All-Purpose Cleaner and several other cleaning products. On a whim, I also grabbed my canister of Goof Off Heavy Duty Wipes. These wipes were the last thing I tried. I was surprised that they were able to remove virtually all of the spots on the trim.

    Once the trim was cleaned, I tried some 303 Protectant and was less than pleased with the results. After that, I went to my Surf City Garage Black Max Vinyl, Rubber and Trim Dressing. This worked much better. Here are the before/after pics:


    So, being curious, I thought I'd give the wipes a go on other areas of my truck:

    Underside of fenders:


    Door handle wells:


    I also found that it will remove the paint on the mud flaps. I had some fading on the 4 in this pic. Here you can see that the wipes were able to remove the paint- though it did take some elbow grease to do so:


    Here are the products I used:


    Hopefully this bit of information will help others that have not had success in cleaning their window trim. Good luck!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Jun 15, 2016 at 3:42 AM
    #2
    CroResident

    CroResident Well-Known Member

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    Nick B
    Opelousas, Louisiana
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    6" Zone lift 35x12.50 Super Swampers
    thats crazy how those wipes took care of the door handle like that. pretty unbelievable. good stuff!
     
  3. Jun 15, 2016 at 10:39 AM
    #3
    digitaLbraVo

    digitaLbraVo Derka Derka

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    Covered in stickers and chrome stick-ons for extra horse torques and foot powers. Icon sticker gets me tons of travel, dozens of milimeters.
    I bet they would pull the wax off the paint, should wax around that handle to seal it up.
     
  4. Jun 15, 2016 at 10:50 AM
    #4
    TacomaArto

    TacomaArto Well-Known Member

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    Totally not sure if I am right....but I think I have read on hear that Good Off is highly abrasive and should never be used on paint.

    I'm sure we will soon have someone confirm or deny this for me...
     
  5. Jun 15, 2016 at 10:53 AM
    #5
    CusterFan

    CusterFan Well-Known Member

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    Wonder how those would work on bug juice on the front of the truck?

    **Update** It probably will remove bugs off paint but I read a review on Amazon that said these wipes basically contain acetone. Don't think I'll use them on my paint.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2016
  6. Jun 15, 2016 at 10:53 AM
    #6
    digitaLbraVo

    digitaLbraVo Derka Derka

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    Covered in stickers and chrome stick-ons for extra horse torques and foot powers. Icon sticker gets me tons of travel, dozens of milimeters.
    You can use it but it will strip wax/sealants off the paint. Some guys use it after debadging to wipe the glue off and then wax over the area afterwards.

    It's not nearly caustic enough to strip paint with a quick application.
     
  7. Jun 15, 2016 at 10:57 AM
    #7
    cory02taco

    cory02taco Well-Known Member

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    Maine
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    S100 engine brightener is about the best product I've used to keep those rubber window surrounds and mirror trim pieces looking good. It's beeswax based and lasts quite a while.
     
  8. Jun 15, 2016 at 11:24 AM
    #8
    TacomaArto

    TacomaArto Well-Known Member

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    Yep, that's where I had read of someone saying NOT to use it. A debadge thread. They said Goo- Gone was the lesser potent.

    I agree though, a quick swipe and then rinsing with water is likely not the end of world.

    Great tip on the rubber though!
     

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