hi guys. any idea how i can remove a minor scuff mark from the black part of the rear bumper on the 2010 rdx (i have a silver metallic one but the bumper has a black part - do i make sense)? it's not painted and it seems like a stroller or something scraped it (eg. i tried rubbing it with my hand and it removed the white scuff a bit). now around a 1 inch line is still there -- i tried to use water and microfibre towel to rub it off and it actually goes away when "wet" but when it dries up, the white "scuff" mark shows up again... any thoughts? i hesitate to use wax/polish for now... thanks for any ideas

 

Why not wax/ polish?

Anyway, I was looking at the rear bumper on a 2010 in the dealership yesterday, but cannot remember for certain if the part to which you refer is bare plastic or painted? I will assume it is bare plastic.

The reason for the 'mar' is because the reflectivity of the mark differs from the rest of the part. So, what you have to do is make the surface texture and reflectivity the same, both where the 'mar' is and the rest of the part.

If the part is smooth (and I do not think that it is), then basically you would polish the marred area so that it is as smooth and shinny as the rest of the part, then apply some 'coating'.

But I am thinking that the rear bumper insert is not smooth. If the mar/ scuff/ scratch is deep, I would slightly sand the area, trying not to increase the size of the mark. This will slightly smooth and roughen the mark at the same time, making it more like the texture of the surrounding area.

If the scuff/ mark is just on the surface, then I would go directly to apply some 'coating'. There are two that I would recommend. The first is Meguire's POLYMER SEALANT #20, about $12 at most paint/ body shop supplers. It also works great on the front plastic RDX top of the grill just under the hood (the silver and gray colored parts). It will actually remove water spots and helps prevent them from returning.

I have also used this product on plain black plastic parts that have turned white over time. And on similar parts on which I used one of the available 'back-to-black' products, which had built-up as a sort of waxy coating. The Meguires #20 removed the 'back-to-black' product and left a semi-gloss black surface. The #20 works on both smooth and 'pebbly' surfaces. It is basically meant as a car wax for paint, and I also use it on my mirrors, as it removes bugs and leaves a really slick surface. I also use it on the front bumper cover of my RDX as a bug cleaner (and sealer), then follow with Meguires Carnuba Yellow wax #26.

The second product that I would try is simply one of the back-to-black products. I like the ones from TURTLE WAX, but any brand should work. These products are easier to use than Meguires #20, but are shinnier, which I do not like for some areas. And they can build up on some surfaces, so you have to use new applications to help remove the previous build-up.

Hope the above is helpful.

 

thanks dcmodels. the part that was "scuffed" was bare plastic (eg. no paint - hence black "color"). the reason i hesitate to use my white wax is because it might make it worst - eg. i cant remove the wax as im not sure if that black part is actually plastic or "rubber" - it feels a bit rubbery, if you get what i mean. at any rate, ill see if the polymer sealant is applicable to the "black" rubbery/plastic part of the rear bumper, that might be a good alternative. otherwise, back to black will most certainly work (i think) - thanks again

 

I either use Bug & Ta remover nad when that does'nt work I use Goof Off which has worked well for me in the past as well.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...85&marketID=39

 

clay bar?

 

OK, I understand better (I did not 'feel' the showroom model I was looking at). I would not recommend the Meguires Poly Sealer for soft plastics, only rigid/ hard plastic.

Also, you can try Armour All or similar products (I like the Meguires #40) on rubberry and softer plastics, if you happen to already have some. And I agree, regular paste car wax will turn 'white' on black plastics, even the hard/ rigid ones. I was not clear when I suggested wax, I meant to suggest liquid poly sealer 'waxes', like the Meguires #20.

Let us all know what works for you.

 

hey guys, success! here's what i did - a slightly diff combo fm your suggestions but hey, it worked!
a) clean area again (water and microfiber)
b) magic eraser! (the white scuff became almost invisible already)
c) armor all (one pass only) and presto, back to black...

thanks again