Cleaning of the "black rubber" all around car?? - Benzworld.org

rob2218 · 07-14-2008, 03:39 PM

ok folks.
new here to the 380SL side.
Never had one before.
picked one for a farly decent price I believe.

Now the question:
What do you guys use to clean the "black rubber" and accent pieces along the bumper? Armorall?? or what other chemical??

thanks.

**Arctichawk** · 07-14-2008, 04:22 PM

Hey Rob2218
I use Aerospace 303 protectant on my Benz. Someone on this message board suggested it. It's a wonderful product. It protects from fading and if the rubber is already faded it brings back its luster without the shiny, gooey mess of Armorall. I haven't used Armorall in years so they my have improved their product over the years, but I didn't want to take a chance with my first MB so I took the suggestion offered by another member of this board and I have no regrets. They also suggested Luxol leather conditioner, cleaner, and protectant. I use this product for everything leather in my car and the 303 for the rubber trim and seals. Ummm, I think you could get these items at an auto part store but I order mine on the web. 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant, High Tech Fabric Guard - World's Leading Automotive Care Products Lexol Leather Care Including Vinylex and Kozak Products

Again....and this is just my personal preference, I would NEVER use Armorall on my car because it seems to make the rubber parts gummy and sticky. Not sure if this was my experience because of living in a hot & humid climate at the time or what, but since then (about 25 years ago) I haven't used Armorall and I've never owned anything as fancy as my little SLK except my Land Cruiser but that was my Kid Cab and it was always dirty

.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

**smack** · 07-14-2008, 04:29 PM

ArmorAll is a term to be stricken from your vocabulary. 303 is great for vinyl, but not to be used on leather.

w107w123w210 · 07-14-2008, 05:04 PM

Wasn't it agreed that Black on Black was THE product?

I bought some, but have not used it. Reason - Can't find it! Have to clean shop one of these days

bigwiki · 07-14-2008, 05:09 PM

I use 303 on plastic as well but it's expensive. Would like to know a cheaper alternative. Heard about back-to-black. Haven't tried it yet.

ChiefRider · 07-14-2008, 05:37 PM

Barbie's suggestion might be a good one; I haven't used it. I have used "Back to Black." It works very well, but it's not a permanent thing. You'll get a couple weeks or so. I use it on all the rubber, the door handles and the slats in the grill.

Chief

**Arctichawk** · 07-14-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwiki

I use 303 on plastic as well but it's expensive. Would like to know a cheaper alternative. Heard about back-to-black. Haven't tried it yet.

Bigwiki
I think 303 is a little spendy too, but as my 17 yr old so sarcastically pointed out to me "mom why are you freaking out about the cost of a little bottle of cleaner for a car you just paid 50k for and can only drive twice a year?" I howled laughing when he said that because I really was making a major issue out of it. LOL. Anyway you are right, it is expensive as compared to the others, but it only takes a little bit to get good results. So I guess in the long run it's not so bad. I've heard about Back-to-Black too. I'll give that a try when I run out of 303

.

NormanB · 07-15-2008, 02:58 PM

I like Mother's Back to Black too. However, I found like others that it doesn't last as long as we would like it to. So, what I have found is that B to B doesn't clean deep enough, therefore another cleaner is needed first. I use Griot's Garage Rubber Prep to first clean the parts. Keep using it until your rag comes away clean. Then I use the B to B to get a nice shine and protect the rubber.

and Welcome to the group!

whitestar · 07-16-2008, 04:00 PM

303 IS the answer! Throw away the Harmoral. Found 303 from this forum and now hooked. I like the way it gives like new condition without the fake shiney finish.