I read through all the threads and I am still confused about what to use on the plastic panels.....
I have read good things about lexol but it streaks and it is silicon based...
Then i read a big article about not using silicone base producs on any plastic for it will damage it.... hmmmmm..
I have also heard good things about black something but it makes the plastic black or changes the colors on it or something like that..
my eyes hurt from reading......

Neways, so for the last time I ask this question... What is the best product to use for the plastic panels.......

HOw about the interior? i have heard really good things about the lexol but then again the silicon base thing is buggin me but i really would like to do all I can to protect the car and make it look its best for the longest time possible.....

On the plastics panels. Actually nothing especially on the roof cladding(stuff runs off). Eventually though you will get scuffs and scratches like door dings. Take a mild solvent like mineral spirits or paint thinner to wipe them off. To dress up the panels and cover up deeper scuffs I use Mothers Back to Black. It darkens a tiny bit by wetting out the finish a bit. It has silicone in it but it is not harmful to plastics. Silicone is more harmful to rubber tires somewhat.

On the inside I use Aerospace 303 protectant. It has full UV protection, dust repellent and not shiny, subtle finish(unless you want shiny). It is not a silicone. Second best would be Lexol Vinylex but it smells to me. Vinylex is probably the best of the silicones. The rest are similar. ArmourAll at the bottom of the list.

I have bought and tried just about every dressing mentioned on this board. The costs still do not add up to the cost of one of the pricey Honda accessories. 8)

On the interior: Lexol Vinylex (http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html) works great. Next I'll try Aerospace 303 Protectant.

On the exterior plastics: Mothers Preserves Protectant (http://www.mothers.com/products/) works great. No running or smearing and it does a great job of covering up minor scuffs and scratches. It also adds a 30-day layer resistant to ozone and smog that acts as a UV shielding penetrant. I have yet to use my bottle of Mothers Back-to-Black.

:roll: Ed :idea:

I vote for Griots (www.griotsgarage.com) Vinyl and Rubber Dressing. This company's products are widely used by people who restore and show cars. They also have a really nice mail order catalog.

Yelapa

[quote:2735d60aa9="ropedart"]On the plastics panels. Actually nothing especially on the roof cladding(stuff runs off). Eventually though you will get scuffs and scratches like door dings. Take a mild solvent like mineral spirits or paint thinner to wipe them off. To dress up the panels and cover up deeper scuffs I use Mothers Back to Black. It darkens a tiny bit by wetting out the finish a bit. It has silicone in it but it is not harmful to plastics. Silicone is more harmful to rubber tires somewhat.

On the inside I use Aerospace 303 protectant. It has full UV protection, dust repellent and not shiny, subtle finish(unless you want shiny). It is not a silicone. Second best would be Lexol Vinylex but it smells to me. Vinylex is probably the best of the silicones. The rest are similar. ArmourAll at the bottom of the list.[/quote:2735d60aa9]

I tore up the south end of Dayton, and cannot for the life of me find Mother's Preserves Protectant (most car places carry at least some Mother's stuff, but not much), and nobody had any Aerospace 303 at all.

I'm bummed.

I'm partial to PRO HONDA Spray Cleaner & Polish and an old 100% cotton T-shirt. $8.00 for a 14 oz. can at your Honda Dealer. I was given a can when I bought my E. This stuff is awesome. It takes off bugs, grease, tar and even the gum I ran over. Leaves the panels looking like they did in the showroom. I use it on the painted surfaces and light lenses as well. Really does look great. See the picture of my E in the gallery.
As for the interior, I'm not using a protectant. Puts too much glare on the windshield. I simply wipe own the dash and all the hard surfaces with one Armor All interior wipe. It comes in those plastic jars like "Wet Ones." One wipe will do the whole interior of the vehicle except for the floor. For the floor, I remove the all weather floor mats and get after them with a soft brush and a hose. Then, I vacuum out the inside and wipe it down with a sponge and a bucket of plain water, changing the water until it isn't dirty anymore. I use PRO HONDA Window Cleaner and paper towels on the windows both inside and out. It doesn't leave any streaks and does a great job of cleaning the windows. If I remember correctly, it costs about $3.00 for a 16 oz can.

I would have to agree with the Pro Honda Spray cleaner.
You can find it online for around $4.00 a can.

Arrgghh! The streaking!
I used 303 on the panels--looked great for 2 days, then it rained. Now it's all streaky and looks terrible. Especially the part over the door hinges. Am I on a merry go round of applying this stuff? I saturated it pretty well, I just can't figure it out. The same thing's happened about three times.
Help!

As far as I know, 303 comes in interior and exterior fomulas. If you used the interior it would streak after the rain.

bonez

It is the exterior formula. Got it at REI for use on Kayaks. Will it ever come off?

and you thought your simple question would get a simple single, or even predominant, answer. :D :D :D

I am currently using 303 protectant on the plastic panels. I spray it on a rag and wipe it on in areas where I might fear overspray or drips. So far I have used it sparingly and I really like it. VERY subtle, if any change from new appearance and it protects from UV. No problem with streaking in the rain, but maybe using it sparingly helps.

Catch is the only place in the greater Seattle area that carries it is one hot tub place, and they only carry it in the small spray bottles. (I did a dealer search at their site) And that place overcharges for it. I think in the future if it continues to work out, I will buy it in larger quantities directly from the manufacturer at their site, even with their pricey shipping costs.

I really like it for the interior. I am still, at least 10 years later, taking flak for slicking up the interior of my wife's car with armorall. THAT was slimey stuff!

The 303 does NOT leave a "slick" or wet appearance, just a very subtle difference seeming to spruce it up a bit, if anything. Time will tell just how it does in the long run with UV and older plastic. (worked great on our 2000 Honda and not even a comment from my wife....whew!)

So my vote, at the moment is 303 aerospace protectant, inside and out....although I wish it was easier to find!

I found it at an RV place here for under 20 bucks a quart, and 14 bucks for the 16 oz size. Maybe an RV place in Seattle would also carry it. Don't you PNWers have REIs?

At this point, I'm just trying to get it and the streaks off. I scrubbed it this morning and you can still see a little of the streaking.

Seattle

1 Aqua Quip
3447 - 4Th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
206-624-4394

2 Rei
1525 11Th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122
206-323-8333

3 Valley Freightliner
2401 Airport Way South
Seattle, WA 98134
206-340-8882

4 West Marine #00023
6317 Seaview Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-789-4640

5 West Marine #00022
1000 Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98109
206-292-8663

6 Durham Upholstry
803 Lenora St
Seattle, WA 98121
206-682-3500

7 Inflatable Boatworks
101 Nickerson St.
Seattle, WA 98109
206-284-6020

8 Olympic Hot Tub Company
1425 Dexter Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
206-286-0700

9 Olympic Hot Tub Company
12818 Gateway Dr.
Seattle, WA 98168
800-431-2876

10 Ace Hardware #04712
Crown Hill Hdwe
7759 - 15th N W
Seattle, WA 98117

11 Ace Hardware #05279
Magnolia Ace Hdwe
2420-32nd Av W
Seattle, WA 98199

12 Ace Hardware #06071
Home Builders Cntr
1110 W Nickerson Av
Seattle, WA 98119

13 Ace Hardware #07960
The Stewart Lumber Co
1761 Rainier Av
Seattle, WA 98144

While washing my Element with a soft yarn mop, it snagged on my composite fenders at the rear wheel well, front. The surface is defintely abraded from the sand, salt put on the roads here and will become a problem in time. Do you think coating it during the winter months would help? If so, I am asking for recommendations for a spray, liquid or paste with body. I'd canuba wax them but it doesn't work on the panels.

I have used a light application of 303 (exterior) on the panels. Seemed to work quite well at first, but today for the first time I did notice drips/streaking on the roof trim. Ugh!!! Obviously being in the Seattle area, it has been exposed to rain.

So much for 303 for the exterior panels anyway! Seems to work GREAT on the tires though and no sign of streaking there.

:cry:

I heard about the 303 streaking so I bought some of this to try
on the exterior
http://www.premiumautocare.com/potrre1.html

I used their other interior products on the inside of my van and I'm very happy so far.
d

I used 303 on my Element yesterday, and after a light rain this morning, noticed streaking. Rubbing with a paper towel removed much of the streaking. The towel did pick up some dirt. I have used 303 a lot of other times, without really noticing the streaking.

However, the instructions, under fiberglass, do say:
'out of direct sun, spray surface with 303 and wipe comletely dry. If streaking occurs, too much product has been used. Use a wet towel to remove ecess, immediately wipe dry.'

Wiping dry is probably more effective on glossy surfaces than the rough surface of the Element panels.

paulj

Pick up some panel spray protecter at the Honda parts department. I paid 5.00 for 4oz can yesterday.

Do yourselves a favor a DO NOT use anything on the panels but soap and water. Honda does NOT recommend anything. If you use a spray you will be a slve to it forever.Hope this helps

[quote:3223f3d0a6=" "]Do yourselves a favor a DO NOT use anything on the panels but soap and water. Honda does NOT recommend anything. If you use a spray you will be a slve to it forever.Hope this helps[/quote:3223f3d0a6]

James, I see you're new to this board.

Coming from a motorcycle background, I'm familiar with Protect-All and Honda Spray polish (probably the same stuff at the car dealer as at the bike shop). Anyone used these? They're very easy to find, and they've done well for me on my GoldWing. (Wal-Mart carries Protect-All - it's in with the RV stuff).

Also, has anyone ever used Simple Green on the interior? I'd like to clean my seats, but I believe it raised hell with a motorcycle seat once, so I'm gun-shy about using it.

FWIW: I bought my E used, and there were a couple of small, whitish scratches on the edge of the hood (not through the paint). I used 3M "Fill N' Glaze" and it worked wonderfully!

I've had no problems with Mother's Back-to-Black. We just ended a horrific winter here in Omaha with lots of sand and salt put down. I did my spring cleaning on my NBP and found at the end that the plastic had whitened a bit where it was most in contact with the snow/salt/sand combo. I'd used B2B before for spot issues and scuffs, but this spring was facing a bit more widespread problem.

There is some minor -- really minor -- pitting along the fenders where you'd expect rocks to be thrown. If I cared I might get the mud flaps.

Anyway, I've used Mother's Back-to-Black successfully. It's labeled as an exterior deal, but I've found it reduces the infamous door-sill scratch problem too. It seems to actually take some dirt off the panels which ordinary washing won't do. In some (but oddly, not all) circumstances, you can spot-apply it and deal with a scuff or some discoloration without committing to the whole panel. Nonetheless, I did substantially all the plastic in about 20 minutes.

I recognize Honda recommends nothing other than washing. But that's just not realistic if you want your E to look halfway detailed if you use it in real life.

[quote:1499d8cef1=" "]Do yourselves a favor a DO NOT use anything on the panels but soap and water. Honda does NOT recommend anything. If you use a spray you will be a slve to it forever.Hope this helps[/quote:1499d8cef1]

I do not consider this to be prudent advice considering the environmental contaminants (UV rays, soot, dust, tar, salt, and bugs) the panels face on a daily basis. After thoroughly washing my panels, I use Lexol Vinlyex and don't have any problems with streaking. Additionally, a protectant allows for easier cleaning in the future. If you do use Vinlyex/303/Armor All, remember a little goes a long way.

Joey

Haven't tried it on the plastic panels on the E, but Honda Spray polish works really well on the plastic bodywork on my motorcycle - quick, easy shine and it's ANTI-STATIC.

According to the 303 Protectant web site, in addition to improving the appearance of the E's panels, this stuff will reduce the drag coefficient of the Element. WOW! Higher top speeds, quicker accelleration, improved fuel mileage and snappy looking plastic panels to boot. Forget about cold air injection, free flow exhausts, turbochargers, superchargers...all that expensive stuff. You can have "spray-on" performance and a good looking ride for about ten bucks.

Actually 303 does dress up the panels nicely, but you probably have to be upwards of 250-300 mph for the additional benefits.

I received the Honda spray cleaner from an online dealer. It was $15.95 for 2 cans shipped. Not the priced compared to what is said here, but my local dealer didn't even know what the cleaner was!!


Anyways...the stuff works like magic. I sprayed it on my scratches a about a week and half ago and they instantly disappeared. I have only washed it once since then though, but we've had some rain here also.

But I like James already. He's a charter member of the hownowcb school of Element maintenance: Do Nothing! Got no streaks on my panels, and it didn't cost me a penny! And I never lifted a finger, either! Wow, that was difficult. Next question?

[quote:544701d432=" "]But I like James already. He's a charter member of the hownowcb school of Element maintenance: Do Nothing! Got no streaks on my panels, and it didn't cost me a penny! And I never lifted a finger, either! Wow, that was difficult. Next question?[/quote:544701d432]

Next Question: How ya gonna make it go faster for the same price as a couple of squirts of "slickener"?

- Craig Breedlove

For all the time people seem to be spending rubbing product all over their Elements, imagine what a happier place it might be if people spent that much time worrying about what was the best product to be rubbing all over their living and breathing counterparts. Instant karma! Buy your dog a bone, treat your wife to a pedicure, rub some scented oil all over your partner's "panels", and forget about the friggin' car. Life is too short to waste that much of it keeping a car looking nice. I wish each and every one of you a long and happy life, but it doesn't always turn out that way, so my sincere advice is to use your time wisely.

I'll pre-chastise myself for you, and try to stay off this thread for awhile.

[quote:b08a6c7596=" "]treat your wife to a pedicure[/quote:b08a6c7596]

LOL. The first time I read that, I thought the word was "procedure".

-brendan

*snort! 8)

[quote:9a73925bef=" "]For all the time people seem to be spending rubbing product all over their Elements, imagine what a happier place it might be if people spent that much time worrying about what was the best product to be rubbing all over their living and breathing counterparts. Instant karma! Buy your dog a bone, treat your wife to a pedicure, rub some scented oil all over your partner's "panels", and forget about the friggin' car. Life is too short to waste that much of it keeping a car looking nice. I wish each and every one of you a long and happy life, but it doesn't always turn out that way, so my sincere advice is to use your time wisely.[/quote:9a73925bef]

To each his own. I don't understand some people's fascination with low rider cars, rap, sushi or Star Wars...and that's okay. They get what they want out of it. Besides, the dog died, my wife gets pedicures on her own, and the scented oil...uhh...it uhh...ummm...let's just say it gets taken care of on a regular basis.

On my bike there are two plastic items I have to constantly clean of road grime and bugs - the wind shield and the saddle bags. The only (cheap!) product that seems to get all the crap off and make them look like new is Lemon Pledge. Try it . It works.

Yeah, I have used Pledge (not always lemon, tho) for touch-up waxing. Looks good on anything, even the side windows. Handy for cleaning off stray bugs, bird droppings, etc. It is water-based I think, so there are no solvents to damage the plastic. I too have a motorcycle background and use it for them; it is also the standard plexiglass cleaner for my aircraft windshield.

I have had too many bad experiences with ArmorAll to try it on my E, and on the interior it makes the windows foggy when it migrates on hot days. Eagle One's Wax As-U-Dry has done a nice job on the plastic as well as the paint for me.

I use "wax as you dry" on everything including the plastic panels. Looks nice and shiny and doesn't leave a residue. I love this stuff- I'll never polish wax a car again.

Well my plastic panels have started looking rather dull too. I've used a product from Dry Wash & Guard and it did very well as far as application and results for about a month or so but I recently got some Mothers Back to Black and some MeQuiars NXC Tech Protectant. Though I've yet to use the Mothers, I'm sold on the NXC. This stuff is the bomb! Put it on and rub it in and it's set. Makes the plastic look brand new. They also have an application for interior plastic too.

Eagle One Wax as U dry gets my vote as best all round exterior product. 303 on the interior.

:!:

Ok, I bought a 16 oz bottle of Meguiars #40 Rubber and Vinyl CLEANER/Protector for $8.99

The nice thing about this stuff is it is in fact a Cleaner as well as protectant. While a lot of suggestions have been made about what to spray all over your plastic side panels most of them are PROTECTANT while the main question seems to be what to Clean them with. So use this stuff. It doesn't leave nasty goop on the paint and windows like Armor-All and actually cleans very well. Any wax I had on my panels is now gone.
This product does not use silicone.

I will add more later when it rains to see if it streaks. It is a bit streaky on the interior right now since I used it very sparingly.

The way I see it I saved a whole lot of money not buying tons of different things to try by reading the forums, so thanks.

Well, I've mostly lurked except for a few postings, but now my Element is getting older and I have always paid attentin to the paint but now I'm on the hunt for good panel enhancer / cleaner and I've read almost all the threads.

I printed out the info directly from 303products.com and discussed Back to Black with some. It's a maze of information.
I'm lost.

Would like to start, don't mind ordering online but what? I mean some say this and others say that. The above two mentined seem to be the most mentioned. The drips (after rain) rub out, etc.etc.

Isn't there someone who has used one of these products for a duration of time (which is hard as the E is so new), with GREAT LUCK?

I know this is so repeated, I'm sorry. Someone must have used one or the other for over 1 1/2 years by now, no?
Thanks, for letting me vent a frustration.
jurn

Just by reading this thread, I'd venture to say that it's a matter of personal opinion and experience. Personally I favor the Meguires NXT protectant, that stuff rocks. However, I bet you that the zaino plastic protectant is absolutely fabulous...you have to order that from http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc Pretty much anything specific to plastic and from a trusted brand will do you, the mothers, meguires, honda stuff, or zaino are all probably good products.

*edited because url was wrong*

Armor All Protectant spray works great - it's designed for use on plastic/vinyl/rubber, protects against UV damage (supposedly), and restores a "new" look to the plastic panels. After washing and drying my E, I drench a rag with Armor All, then wipe down the plastic panels....and WAH-LAH! My E looks like it just came off the lot...then it rains again...

I just got an oil change and the manager tells me that Honda has an official spray for plastic panel. Down side is it cost appr. $20 a can.

Armor All Protectant spray works great - it's designed for use on plastic/vinyl/rubber, protects against UV damage (supposedly), and restores a "new" look to the plastic panels. After washing and drying my E, I drench a rag with Armor All, then wipe down the plastic panels....and WAH-LAH! My E looks like it just came off the lot...then it rains again...

Prepare to be harassed about the Armor All. :grin:

... I drench a rag with Armor All, then wipe down the plastic panels....and WAH-LAH! ...

Sweet Jesus :shock: thats like child abuse!!!

Next time drench that rag in some battery acid why dont ya.

Can't say you weren't warned ;-) (see above post)

I've been using Meguire's Trim Detailer on the panels. Works great and is really easy to use.

For plastic I like a very dilute mix of Murphy's Oil Soap and water in a spray bottle. I have not yet used it on the exterior panels, but have used it on interior plastics for many years, and it has kept them looking like new. I have not had a dashboard crack since I started using it.

You only need a little bit of soap in the bottle, a finger's width, with the rest water. The Murphy's that comes in a spray bottle already will work, but not as well.

Used meguiars #40 vinyl and rubber treatment on my plastic front panels before driving north thru WA to the Orcas Islands for memorial day. Wam day, many insects, many flat on the car. Just brushed 'em off. Good stuff!!

Irish

I've been using 303 for about 6 months now on my '05 AWD and have found that the trick to avoiding the streaks on the outside panels is to follow the instructions on the bottle...apply using a soft cloth then then buff with another soft cloth.

If you try to apply 303 like ArmorAll, sure enough, you'll get the streaks.

Down here in the oh-so-wet and steamy south, 303 is working just dandy, inside and out...as long as you buff.

Just my 2cents. Cheers!

I read through all the threads and I am still confused about what to use on the plastic panels.....
I have read good things about lexol but it streaks and it is silicon based...
Then i read a big article about not using silicone base producs on any plastic for it will damage it.... hmmmmm..
I have also heard good things about black something but it makes the plastic black or changes the colors on it or something like that..
my eyes hurt from reading......

Neways, so for the last time I ask this question... What is the best product to use for the plastic panels.......

HOw about the interior? i have heard really good things about the lexol but then again the silicon base thing is buggin me but i really would like to do all I can to protect the car and make it look its best for the longest time possible..... You guys are approaching the problem from the wrong direction. Vinyl is not porous and will not absorb or retain, dressings. They quickly wash off with shampoo or even plain water. Solvent-based treatments used to bring back the color, will even hasten the deterioration, so check your labels for petroleum distillates.

The immediate problem is UV radiation that causes the dreaded "whiteing out" or fading. Don't try to put a Band-Aid on the problem. Instead, keep it from happening in the first place. Protect the vinyl with a liquid polymer sealant. This is the very same liquid wax you use on paint, Fiberglass, Gelcoat and aluminum.

There are many brands and the good ones last about 6 months, assuming you use the same care you would for regular wax. A lot of our customers are using a sealant under their carnauba waxes (on the paint) to give it more durability.

Application: Apply a very small amount with a foam or terry applicator, wait until it almost dries, and lightly buff with a terry towel.

Agreed with a post a few up the chain, the Meguiar's Trim Detailer in the new spray can works great.

I'm partial to PRO HONDA Spray Cleaner & Polish and an old 100% cotton T-shirt. $8.00 for a 14 oz. can at your Honda Dealer.

So, you're using this to clean off the plastics panels? I've got a can of it for my bike and helmet, never thought to use it on the E.

I have posted a couple of times in response to this same question and the answer is still happily the same. I use full strength Murphy's Oil Soap on the panels. No white/grey streaking, it lasts a long time and keeps the panels looking great.

When I washed my E for the first time I used Mother's Back-to-Black and it did a great job. I bought my E used recently and the person who owned it before me had let the sun do a number on the panels that line the roof but Mother's took care of that. I did have some light streaking with the recent rain but its most likely do to using too much the first time around.

As far as a place to buy most of the pro-products you can't find in stores, check out http://www.properautocare.com . They have everything you could possibly need and give a good explanation of what each product is intended for. You can even buy all of your towels and brushes from them.

Soon I'll be working on getting the tiny swirls and waterspots out of all the paint.....wish me luck!!