Anybody have any experience getting wax or sealant out of the running boards?
I gave my Gen 2 its first steak (clay, polish and sealant) and dripped some sealant on the running boards (full details in a closed, non-temperature controlled garage in Texas, in June is not a fun job).
I read on another forum that peanuts or vegetable oil were good at removing wax residue from trim so I tried applied vegetable oil with a toothbrush. This actually turned out really nice, left a deep black finish and I ended up dressing both running boards in full with it. I washed my truck again over this past weekend and my pressure washer seems to have taken off all the vegetable oil but the sealant marks are still there. Much more faded than before but still there.
I have a garage full of Adam's products but do not own VRT (currently use 303 and Opti-Bond tire gel for my trim). I have no problem adding VRT to my next Adam's order but I believe VRT will only cover the stains, not remove them, and I'm looking for a product that has been verified to remove wax/sealant from these specific running boards.
Bummer with the stains! As you found out, those internet tales of vegetable or peanut oil removing stains are not true, since the oils really just mask the residue.
You are also correct in your assumption that
VRT will also mask the problem, since it is not a
cleaner, but a
conditioner.
To remove the residue, use
Tire & Rubber Cleaner at your next wash. Spray the area well, then scrub like the dickens with a small, stiff brush, and rinse really good Simply wiping with a cloth or wash pad will not work, since the residue is down in the texture of the running board.
Depending on the type of
sealant (ie how durable it is), and also on the pre-stain condition of the running board (ie whether it was
conditioned well, or if it was dried out from sitting since the truck was built), it might take a few scrubbings during subsequent washes to work the stains out.
This is were the
VRT can help. After the scrubbing/washing, apply
VRT to the running boards and let it soak it. Adding this
conditioner will help work the stain out of the running board finish.
Also, we recommend always treating the plastic and rubber trim, and in the case of Raptors, the running boards, with a good coat of
VRT right before
waxing or sealing, since it soaks in and moisturizes these surfaces, so that if the
wax or sealant accidently gets on them, it is easy to wipe off, since it does not soak in at all.
Just a quick word of caution, the
VRT will make the running boards a little slippery for the first few days, especially if they get wet, so be careful. It is usually good after a few days of drying.
Good luck, and let me know how it goes.
