When I use Griots dressing on my rubber molding black is always on the towel after a final ruboff.Is that dirt or dye?Am I using the wrong product and stripping the black dye off the rubber?Any advice or suggestions.This is a good product;right????????????

 

Most people don't realize, but rubber is actually white. Manufacturers put an ingredient in the rubber to make it black: Carbon. So when you're wiping your tires, rubber trim, rubber moldings, etc. you're actually pulling some of the carbon, but most likely, oxidation of the carbon on the top layer.

Most rubber surfaces should have a clean, satin, and flat look. The use of petrochemicals such as cheaper silicones give the rubber that shiny plastic look. Higher quality silicones are not as bad; you need to find out which type of silicones are used. The problem with using products containing silicones and formaldehyde is that most often they end up accelerating the aging process.

The use of a proper product that contains a natural anti-oxidizing agent like glycerin or tea tree oil is your best bet. Zymol Seal contains glycerin and avocado oil that safely and effectively treats and conditions rubber seal around doors, trunk, and hood. Zymol Tyre uses Cocoa and Shea Butter in conjunction with Tea Tree Oil to treat tires, rubber trim around windows, and rubber moldings. These products may be more expensive, a little more labor intensive, but the results will look better and last longer.

I’ve used griot’s vinyl conditioner a few times, but I wouldn’t use it on the exterior. Most vinyl conditioners work better on the interior than the exterior. After a wash, most of the product is gone. It’s not a bad product, better left for the interior vinyl surfaces.

 

Just tried the Zymol Seal and same thing.....the black still comes off on the towel when you do a lite wipe to dry.

 

What make and model car? What areas are you cleaning?

 

Thanks Moe, I have a 07 porsche Turbo and I am doing it on the rubber surrounding the windows................

 

Very simple then....6 out of 10 cars I detail are 996 or 997. The trim needs to be properly cleaned first. Use einszett Plastic Cleaner. This will pull out most of the oxidized rubber. Then condition with zymol Tyre. You'll always pull out black, but how much is the questions. The tyre will leave a lasting satin look to the trim. You will have to apply it weekly for about 4-6 weeks, then you can start to let it go to every 2-3 weeks.

 

Totally normal, don't worry much about it.

Some times, even after using a rubber cleaner, it will still pull some black, tires are the worst.