I've been married for a couple of months now, and I have totally neglected washing the element during that time (i've been busy, as you can imagine a newleywed would be :) ). i washed it yesterday and now i'm extremely pissed. i got the 'just married' off my windows after our honeymoon, and i made sure to tell my groomsmen not to put anything on the panels or i'd kill them. the problem is that some of that stuff ran down the car when i was cleaning it off and now i have white spots on the panels and no idea how to get them off. i know they didn't use shoe polish, but some kind of stuff from the party store to write on my windows. i was about to lose it yesterday i was so pissed. i hadn't put anything on the panels previously because i thought that once i started putting something on them i'd have to keep doing it or they'd dry out and look awful. right now they look horrible because of the big white spots and i have no idea what will clean them off. i don't really want them to look wet and shiny like armor all, i just want them to look clean and black like they were before. what should i clean them with? i think i might try this (http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-vinyl-rubber-care/Vinyl-Rubber-Cleaner-Conditioner)stuff first if I can find it. i remember reading somewhere on here that it was great. Please help me if you have any ideas!!!

That may work ! but it does leave a sheen. I used their tire black stuff. That restored the color.

Don't panic yet, Benny.

One of the products often recommended here on EOC is "303 Aerospace Protectant". It is a water-based UV-protectant for plastic, rubber, fibreglass. You can find it at many RV and boating stores. Also, REI stores have it (look near the kayaks.)

It does remove the accidental white smudge marks left on the panels, or door handle surrounds, after waxing the paint. I'm assuming the marks you have are similar, caused by something waxy in the 'paint' used by your friends.

In a nutshell:

Use very small amounts, a little bit goes a long, long way.
Don't apply if rain or dew will wash it down onto painted parts before it dries (or it leaves a greasy looking stain you have to wash off.) I bought some and use it on everything -- panels, dashboard, all interior & exterior plastic. Even works on the tires, leaving a clean, satin finish (rather than glossy.)

You can use the search function at the top of the page to find many, many EOC threads about '303' and similar products. And also, why you should NOT use Armor-All.

BTW, congratulations to you and your bride on your marriage.

I've never tried it, but some people swear by...seriously, now...peanut butter. I'm a fan of Mother's Back To Black. Not as sensitive to streaking as 303.

I've never tried it, but some people swear by...seriously, now...peanut butter. I'm a fan of Mother's Back To Black. Not as sensitive to streaking as 303.

.. " Ditto"

303 Aerospace Protectant....I swear by it. Never had a problem with streaking. A little bit goes a long way and it last a long time.:D Just my 2 cents.

The 303 will likely not take it off if it is a wax-like substance.

Get some vegetable oil (or Canola... or peanut, whatever) and dab some of that on a rag and wipe the spots... I use Canola to clean up any dried wax that I get on the panels when I wax my E. THEN use the 303 to protect the panels... that is some great stuff. :)