Re: [DML] Automatic car washes- A bad idea?

[Peter Lucas <lucas@xxxx>]

On Dec 14, 2003, at 8:05 PM, Video Bob wrote:
>
<<<snip>>>
> Now for the black stuff.
> First clean off the louvers and all the "black" stuff.
> Go get a little red bottle of "Mother Black Restore" and use a terry 
> cloth
> to apply.
> Becareful not to let it run onto the metal, it is greasy!
> This will take all the white ashy look out of the louvers, engine 
> cover,
> pontoons,
> side vents and trim - looks like new instantly.
> Re-apply this each time for long life.
>
> *NOTE - NEVER PAINT your louvers, engine cover or side bits.
> These are texturized plastic molded peices, it will never look the 
> same if
> you paint them.

Well, this is one of those religious things, but FWIW my recommendation 
with
respect to the "black stuff" is exactly the opposite:

Properly clean, prep, and paint all the black trim, and NEVER, EVER put 
any
kind of greasy gunk on it. That stuff is like a drug--looks fine if 
you keep it up,
but you are "hooked" and any lapse of attention will quickly lead to 
awful
appearance as the greasy coating weathers off and/or attracts dirt.

The original surfaces were painted (well, certainly the louvers--they 
are fiberglass,
not textured plastic--and I suspect the plastic trim was painted as 
well). Use the
correct paint and do it right and it will look as it was intended, and 
will degrade
gracefully when dirty.

--Pete Lucas
VIN #06703