Restoring black unpainted door handles turning white (pics)

[msanford]

I've got these black unpainted door handles, but they're turning white, as are the gutter rails on the roof of my '04 Matrix. High resolution versions are linked:


(Flickr page | 1280 x 960 high res version)


(Flickr page | 1280 x 960 high resolution version)

I assume these are calcium/dirt deposits in the textured plastic. I have a feeling that claying won't do a darn thing. Also, only the driver's side gutter rail is fogged, the passenger's side is almost as new. All the door handles are infected, to some degree.

What are my options to fix this? I am not averse to painting them, though I would like to keep them black.

(If these pics are gone by the time you read this, the unpainted door handle and gutter rail, which is textured hard black plastic, has fogged with white deposits that looks sort of like a thin coat of sunscreen.)

[Dark Taco]

Looks like wax. I would clean them with some simple green and a toothbrush. Really scrubbing them with the toothbrush. Then I would try some Mothers back to black. Then I would let them dry out and use some Aerospace 303 to coat them.

[msanford]

I'll give that a short and report back, thanks!

Any more suggestions are still welcome.

[korola]

My door handles looked similar to that after getting wax on them. I used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to great success. Be sure to rinse the handles afterwards as the eraser breaks down and leaves its own residue.

[Vicman17]

You can use "Back To Black" I think a product by Mother's. It should resturn it to its old glory.

There's also a product called "Black Wow" which makes it water repellent and looking new but a bit on the pricey side.

[msanford]

Cool, I'll have a look!

[Berg]

On several cars I have used the 10W40. I found this by error a few years ago when looking to remove wax on a window weather strip.

This usually works fine on any black plastic and give a shinny looks. I haven't ruin anything by doing so, it only disolved the wax. Nevertheless, it can accumulate some dust for until first wash.

In order to not spend any money on a fancy product I would definetely give it a try first.

Good luck,

Berg

[msanford]

Intéressant ! Merci Berg.

[Tideland Prius]

You can also use peanut butter to remove the wax residue (which I assume is the white stuff on your plastic). They've worked well on the Prius. And no, it doesn't matter if it's smooth or crunchy although I would avoid rubbing peanut chunks on the plastic.

[exceldetail]

Another favorite of mine. In all honesty, a couple applications will be necessary. There is no miracle product, but this has been the best Ive used to date..........