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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Brenbo on 13 December 2018, 12:32

Title: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 13 December 2018, 12:32
Since bringing my car back from it's 2yr service i noticed bad white polish/wax marks on the plastic of the centre front ceiling light and glasses holder console.  The VW dealers valet obviously includes ruining tbe plastics inside your car as part of the service.

I have tried rubbing the marks with a micro fibre cloth both with/without warm water and fairy liquid.  But the marks remain as if untouched.

How can i remove the unsightly white marks without ruining the finish of the plastic?

Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: monkeyhanger on 13 December 2018, 13:35
If alcohol doesn't get it off, go back to the dealer - going for anything more aggressive like acetone and you'll likely scar the plastic.
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 13 December 2018, 14:49
By 'alcohol' do you mean something like Isopropanol Alcohol?  I also have G Techniq Panel Wipe (which is alcohol based) will this do the trick or would you think something like panel wipe would be too harsh on an interior plastic? 

I have tried the Eraser trick as well and this does not seem to have any effect on the white marks either. I didn't even ask for the car to be cleaned, they just did it without asking. 
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: hobbes22 on 13 December 2018, 15:21
I would be tempted to use Panel wipes. Try a small area first just to test, but as stated don't use any Acetone based products. (Nail varnish remover etc.)
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Booth11 on 13 December 2018, 15:34
IPA/Panel Wipe should bring them off without affecting the trim. Just rub very gently with a soft microfibre soaked with IPA.

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Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 13 December 2018, 15:58
I will try some panel wipe on a test area first then apply to the affected area as you guys have suggested. 
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: BobbyT on 13 December 2018, 21:14
quick detailer may help?
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Ryan90GTI on 15 December 2018, 01:03
Love how dealers think they're doing you a favour by cleaning the car when in reality all they do is cause problems. I find it astonishing that dealers employ immigrants or local dullards on minimum wage with absolutely no interest in what they're doing.
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: SRGTD on 15 December 2018, 08:33
In my mk5 Golf days, before I was into car detailing, my car would almost always look dirtier after the dealer’s complementary service wash than it did before it was ‘washed’; sections missed, dirty muddy water streaks and dried on water spots. I ended up washing it myself when I got home from the dealers to remove evidence of their half-hearted attempt.

Needless to say, now I’m a car detailing fan, my car is never ever washed by the dealer. Weather permitting, it’s always washed before it goes back to the dealer for servicing, warranty work or repairs, with the ‘reminders’ to the dealer to ‘leave it alone!’ (do not wash’ hanger on the mirror, same instruction on a tag tied to the keys and do ‘do not wash’ instruction written on the service job card).
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 15 December 2018, 08:42
I agree Ryan90GTI, everytime I have taken my car in for something I have sustained some form of localised damage to my car i.e. white marks on plastic when I take it for 2yr service, chipped Austin Alloy wheel when i take it in for the tyres to be replaced, damaged steering wheel when I take my car in for a 1yr service.  I wouldn't be surprised if the white marks are caused by the dealers valet wiping the inside of my car with a cloth which had liquid wax/polish on it meant for the outside of the car.  The reason I say this is the white marks have a strong resemblance to the white marks you get on exterior plastic trim on the outside of the car when you don't mask and then polish/wax the car.  Anyway I have spent a long while wiping the damaged plastic area with G Techniq Panel Wipe and most of the white marks have gone, but I still have the odd bit/tide line of white, where it is proving more troublesome to remove.  May I will have another go at it in the near  future. 
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 15 December 2018, 08:44
In my mk5 Golf days, before I was into car detailing, my car would almost always look dirtier after the dealer’s complementary service wash than it did before it was ‘washed’; sections missed, dirty muddy water streaks and dried on water spots. I ended up washing it myself when I got home from the dealers to remove evidence of their half-hearted attempt.

Needless to say, now I’m a car detailing fan, my car is never ever washed by the dealer. Weather permitting, it’s always washed before it goes back to the dealer for servicing, warranty work or repairs, with the ‘reminders’ to the dealer to ‘leave it alone!’ (do not wash’ hanger on the mirror, same instruction on a tag tied to the keys and do ‘do not wash’ instruction written on the service job card).
  The irritating thing is I did the same and washed the car before on this occasion so they didn't drag grit across my paintwork.  However the dealer didn't inform me they were washing the car until after the deed was done.   :angry:
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: SRGTD on 15 December 2018, 10:08
In my mk5 Golf days, before I was into car detailing, my car would almost always look dirtier after the dealer’s complementary service wash than it did before it was ‘washed’; sections missed, dirty muddy water streaks and dried on water spots. I ended up washing it myself when I got home from the dealers to remove evidence of their half-hearted attempt.

Needless to say, now I’m a car detailing fan, my car is never ever washed by the dealer. Weather permitting, it’s always washed before it goes back to the dealer for servicing, warranty work or repairs, with the ‘reminders’ to the dealer to ‘leave it alone!’ (do not wash’ hanger on the mirror, same instruction on a tag tied to the keys and do ‘do not wash’ instruction written on the service job card).
  The irritating thing is I did the same and washed the car before on this occasion so they didn't drag grit across my paintwork.  However the dealer didn't inform me they were washing the car until after the deed was done.   :angry:

That’s really annoying. Worth considering using the ‘reminders’ that I do, to minimise the risk of them doing it again in figure.
Title: Re: How do i remove white polish/wax marks from interior plastic?
Post by: Brenbo on 15 December 2018, 10:14
In my mk5 Golf days, before I was into car detailing, my car would almost always look dirtier after the dealer’s complementary service wash than it did before it was ‘washed’; sections missed, dirty muddy water streaks and dried on water spots. I ended up washing it myself when I got home from the dealers to remove evidence of their half-hearted attempt.

Needless to say, now I’m a car detailing fan, my car is never ever washed by the dealer. Weather permitting, it’s always washed before it goes back to the dealer for servicing, warranty work or repairs, with the ‘reminders’ to the dealer to ‘leave it alone!’ (do not wash’ hanger on the mirror, same instruction on a tag tied to the keys and do ‘do not wash’ instruction written on the service job card).
  The irritating thing is I did the same and washed the car before on this occasion so they didn't drag grit across my paintwork.  However the dealer didn't inform me they were washing the car until after the deed was done.   :angry:

That’s really annoying. Worth considering using the ‘reminders’ that I do, to minimise the risk of them doing it again in figure.
  Good plan, will try to remember to do this next time.   :wink: