1996 850 Oil Residue on Metal Trim

banjoman · Post by **banjoman** » 20 Sep 2015, 13:50

Here's the off-the-wall question for the day. After changing the oil on my 1996 850 wagon, I did not clean my hands thoroughly and accidentally got a little new oil residue on the gray metal trim above the license plate; this is the same metal trim that runs along the side of the car. The oil made the trim look dramatically better. I wonder if the oil will damage the trim, or is it ok to put it on the rest of the trim. Thanks for your patience.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 20 Sep 2015, 14:02

Contaminated engine oil, and engine oil + water gets corrosive, sort of... so I think at most you'd be in for some short lived joy.

Though you're right, it does do that, for a while.

- S

Post by **misha** » 20 Sep 2015, 14:32

What metal trim?
It's plastic.

Post by **precopster** » 20 Sep 2015, 14:50

I once used new trans fluid to detail a car's trim. Much cheaper than Armor All.

Used oils have high PH readings. Keep them off the car.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 20 Sep 2015, 15:07

precopster wrote:I once used new trans fluid to detail a car's trim. Much cheaper than Armor All.

I forgot about that trick. That works - engine oil, not so much.

- S

banjoman · Post by **banjoman** » 20 Sep 2015, 15:55

My mistake. It is plastic, not metal. I'll blame my advanced age. The oil is new, not used. Since the plastic trim is made from oil, seems like it would be ok, but perhaps the trans fluid is better as suggested. Armor All does not last long.

Post by **misha** » 20 Sep 2015, 19:36

precopster wrote:I once used new trans fluid to detail a car's trim. Much cheaper than Armor All.

I'm curious.
Does the plastic absorb transmission oil or it just remains on surface making greasy shield and shine?

Post by **rspi** » 20 Sep 2015, 20:42

Forever Black.

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5262/102 ... ever-black

Post by **dosbricks** » 20 Sep 2015, 21:26

I've used Forever Black. I'm sorry to report that forever is about 18 months even on a car that is garaged. It starts to wash off leaving a mottled appearance. Maybe I wash my car too often?

ThommyKent · Post by **ThommyKent** » 21 Sep 2015, 18:14

ATF is oil so no different than engine oil. Oil is bad news on rubber, but plastic is OK. It doesn`t last long and dust kind of clings to it. You can use a heat gun to bring color back, (not a hair dryer) but their is a fine line between color coming back and melting it