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Stubborn water spots are gone...
- Thread starter ZRX61
- Start date
- Messages
- 42
- Reactions
- 27
- Points
- 2
- Location
- Stratford, ON, Canada
- Vehicle
- 2022 Explorer ST Star White
- Messages
- 42
- Reactions
- 27
- Points
- 2
- Location
- Stratford, ON, Canada
- Vehicle
- 2022 Explorer ST Star White
These things scratch if you breathe on them. Fortunately, these usually clean up quite easily and you can't tell them from new when properly polished. Using an orbital buffer, a mild polish and gentle pad will fix what I'm seeing in the pictures. Tape them off carefully and take your time masking, you don't want polish on the rubber seals it can be difficult to remove. I find a finishing polish is all that is required on these, not much grit at all. Personally, I use Griot's Perfecting Cream or Poorboys SSR1 but there are a lot of really great polishes available.
The polisher will reverse this in a matter of a few minutes. I personally would not use Scratch-X on these. I think that product is too aggressive before it starts to break down and by the time it does the damage is done. These pillars are SOFT.
I know that not everyone has a polisher, pads and polish on hand but this situation by itself in my mind would be a good reason to have those tools/products on hand. Having said this, they will mar again. A good sealant or coating after they have been polished gives a little extra protection. A product like FK1000 might be worth considering.
At the end of the day the best way to fix for this problem is to avoid scratching them. I have my family members close the door by touching the door instead of the pillars. Use only the softest wash media and towels when hand washing and drying. A brush type car wash will wreck these, often in one pass through the carwash but they usually still clean up.
Others have opted to wrap these with some success. I believe someone on this forum (it might have been @UNBROKEN) also found some type of cover to put over these, but I can't tell you anything about that type of product.
The polisher will reverse this in a matter of a few minutes. I personally would not use Scratch-X on these. I think that product is too aggressive before it starts to break down and by the time it does the damage is done. These pillars are SOFT.
I know that not everyone has a polisher, pads and polish on hand but this situation by itself in my mind would be a good reason to have those tools/products on hand. Having said this, they will mar again. A good sealant or coating after they have been polished gives a little extra protection. A product like FK1000 might be worth considering.
At the end of the day the best way to fix for this problem is to avoid scratching them. I have my family members close the door by touching the door instead of the pillars. Use only the softest wash media and towels when hand washing and drying. A brush type car wash will wreck these, often in one pass through the carwash but they usually still clean up.
Others have opted to wrap these with some success. I believe someone on this forum (it might have been @UNBROKEN) also found some type of cover to put over these, but I can't tell you anything about that type of product.
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