Should be a simple question

[Hohopelli]

This should be a easy question to answer, but my searches are not providing good answers. So'll I'll repost what I'm sure is an old question..

My New FJ has the infamous white spots on the exterior black plastic trim. What do you Toyota folks recommend using? Mothers "Back to Black" is all I've heard of recently. I used a Turtle product years ago that was "pretty good". Again it's a new vehicle so it's not faded, just stained. Thanks Ron

PS: never owned a Toyota before

[eddie926]

Are these water spots/mineral deposits?

Back to Black is good. Meguiars Gold Class trim detailer is pretty good. They both clean and protect and either may completely remedy the problem depending on what it is.

If you tried them and found that the spots reappeared in between treatments, then you might want to try polishing the plastic. Plastic can be polished just like paint. if you have an ultra fine paint polish you might try a spot test and see if you can polish the spots out.

[Hohopelli]

The FJ is new.. When my rear bumper was crinkled (3 days old) I noticed the plastic on the back looked like it had been sprayed with something that left a whire residue. The dealer does the "auto butler scam" so it may be that stuff. When they replaced the bumper, it of course had no white spots. I haven't yet tried to clean it, but will soon. here's the list of stuff folks seem to be using over on the FJ forum. Thanks Ron

Meguiar's Gold Class Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
303 Aerospace Protectant
Vinylex
McGuiars Rubber and Vinyl Protectant and Conditioner (product number 40)
One Grand E.R.V. Dressing
3M Plastic/Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer

Originally Posted by eddie926

Are these water spots/mineral deposits?

Back to Black is good. Meguiars Gold Class trim detailer is pretty good. They both clean and protect and either may completely remedy the problem depending on what it is.

If you tried them and found that the spots reappeared in between treatments, then you might want to try polishing the plastic. Plastic can be polished just like paint. if you have an ultra fine paint polish you might try a spot test and see if you can polish the spots out.

[eddie926]

Originally Posted by Hohopelli

The FJ is new.. When my rear bumper was crinkled (3 days old) I noticed the plastic on the back looked like it had been sprayed with something that left a whire residue. The dealer does the "auto butler scam" so it may be that stuff. When they replaced the bumper, it of course had no white spots. I haven't yet tried to clean it, but will soon. here's the list of stuff folks seem to be using over on the FJ forum. Thanks Ron

Meguiar's Gold Class Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
303 Aerospace Protectant
Vinylex
McGuiars Rubber and Vinyl Protectant and Conditioner (product number 40)
One Grand E.R.V. Dressing
3M Plastic/Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer

Well, if you have any of those already, any one of them would be a safe place to start. Chances are, any of them will make it disappear when applied. It's just a matter of whether or not it's actually being removed or just masked. For example, I don't know that 303 has any cleaning components. I think it's just a dressing/protectant. But, most dressings will mask that sort of thing until they wear off. Hence what I said, if you try any of those and the spots reappear after it wears off, you may need to polish it out. Another possibility might be claying. If it's some kind of overspray, clay might take it off.

[Pb]

Could be some wax residue. You want to remove it instead of covering it up, if you can. Try wiping it with a rag and alcohol. Maybe use a toothbrush to get down into the texture of the plastic.

[Hohopelli]

Thanks.. I'm guessing it's the stuff the "auto butler" sprays on there.. Ron

Originally Posted by Pb

Could be some wax residue. You want to remove it instead of covering it up, if you can. Try wiping it with a rag and alcohol. Maybe use a toothbrush to get down into the texture of the plastic.

[Justin@Adams]

Hey Hohopelli,

When you are ready to begin cleaning the black trim I would suggest using:

1. First: Adam's all Purpose Cleaner.
*This will clean the trim of any grim and set it up nicely for our V.R.T*
2. Second: Adam's Vinyl, Rubber, and Tire Dressing and Protection.
*This is a multi-purpose solution with UV protection; it is formulated to leave a deep natural clean black look. "Not Shinny"*

These two products together have always worked great for me!!
Let me know what ya think.

Look forward to hearing from ya!!

[Justin@Adams]

Hey Hohopelli,

Another product to consider would be the Adam's Leather and Interior Cleaner.

Leather and Interior Cleaner!!

Let me know what ya think.

Look forward to hearing from ya!!

[Volrus]

Mothers Back to Black is great IMO.

[Adam@Adam's]

Originally Posted by Hohopelli

This should be a easy question to answer, but my searches are not providing good answers. So'll I'll repost what I'm sure is an old question..

My New FJ has the infamous white spots on the exterior black plastic trim. What do you Toyota folks recommend using? Mothers "Back to Black" is all I've heard of recently. I used a Turtle product years ago that was "pretty good". Again it's a new vehicle so it's not faded, just stained. Thanks Ron

PS: never owned a Toyota before

Hello Ron-

Congrats on your new ride! Have you solved the mysterious white spot problem on the FJ yet?

Let us know if you need a hand!

-Adam

[Hohopelli]

Thanks Adam, I appreciate that.. We're moving into a house that has a nice two car garage at the end of the month, so I'll probably wait until after that's done. I've lived in an apartment since 2000 (i.e. divorce and wife has the house), so I'm looking forward to having a garage again. It'll be nice to be able to "work" on my rides whenever I want again; rather than arranging to go somewhere else to do it. I'm starting out fresh with the FJ and will be doing it all myself again. A good hobby for an old redneck! Indy is around the corner (NASCAR.. Whoo Hoo) and spring break at Sunset Beach is just a month and a half away. The first roadtrip for the FJ.. Ron

Originally Posted by Adam@Adam's

Hello Ron-

Congrats on your new ride! Have you solved the mysterious white spot problem on the FJ yet?

Let us know if you need a hand!

-Adam

[Adam@Adam's]

Sorry to hear about the divorce Ron, and congrats on getting a garage again! There's nothing like a road trip, in my book, to lighten the spirit, and energize the soul. I'm heading from Boulder to California for a meeting in two weeks, and can't wait!

When you are ready, shoot me an email and I'll get you a sample of our VRT, Vinyl, Rubber, & Tire Dressing for your review. Yours will be the first input on an FJ Cruiser, and if you don't mind, please share your results here on the forum.

Congrats again on your comeback, and road trip!

Adam