Couple questions regarding cleaning, etc.

[SGT]

I just got a new Vibe couple of days ago in two-tone, and I have never had a car with cladding on it like this before. Today was the first full on sunny day since I picked it up. I noticed on the cladding on the bumper a few almost like scuff marks. Not exactly a scuff but not really a scratch either because the plastic isn't gouged or even scored. It is so minor you have to be right up on it to notice it, but unfortunately I am the kind of driver that once something on my car is noticed it is all I see until I get rid of it. I have heard people here mention Back to Black. Is this something that will take care of something like this? I will probably mention this to the dealer when I go back in the next day or so to get my cargo mat and nets and make them to take care of this this time, but I am sure things like this happen frequently with normal wear and tear and wanted to know what others keep on hand to get rid of these little marks. I can see this eventually happening under the doors too with the 04 rocker moldings since the stick out further than the door opening. Also, what does everyone use on the black 'trim' between the front and rear door windows? It almost looks like a black decal that the manufacturer puts on the door trim to dress up the area between (and around) the windows. I have noticed on other Vibes and also on a Corolla I saw today that this area tends to get little marks or abrasions only from where people hold or shut the door by the door frame (maybe wearing rings.) They are the kind of marks, again, that are pretty much only noticable in direct sunlight. Can you wax this area (I know waxing the cladding is a HUGE no-no) or is this another area where the Back to Black would work its wonders on very minor surface scratches etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[SCTM]

Quote, originally posted by SGT »Also, what does everyone use on the black 'trim' between the front and rear door windows? It almost looks like a black decal that the manufacturer puts on the door trim to dress up the area between (and around) the windows. Can you wax this area As mentionned, "back to black - Mothers" is one of many others to keep your cladding shining and protected. http://www.mothers.com/products/Also you probably read about wax on this forum yet. I've tried Meguiars products with great result - Do it now before winter gets colder. http://www.meguiars.com/Quote, originally posted by SGT »I have noticed on other Vibes and also on a Corolla I saw today that this area tends to get little marks or abrasions only from where people hold or shut the door by the door frame (maybe wearing rings.) Again, no problem here to use "back to black" .Suggest now to install 3M protector on front nose, BTW why not, around door handles (unless you have or install aftermarket remote keyless entry - then never use your keys to unlock! = no scratch)Congratulations SGT and welcome aboard.

[Stang2Vibe]

I also would like to welcome you to our site and congratulate you on your Vibe purchase.As for the black decal you noticed, yes it is just that. You could actually peel off all the black coating around the windows and it should be the same color undernieth it as the body of your car. I don't think anyone on here has done this yet, and most seem to agree that it would look pretty strange so I'll leave that up to you. As for caring for it, the Back to Black won't hurt it, but waxing it would probably be better. There should be no problems with waxing it.It's hard for me to suggest something for the marks on your bumper because I can't see them. I can't tell if it is an abrasion, flaw in the panel itself, or possibly even wax that got on there from the dealer. You should certainly have the dealer look at it when you take it in and they may be able to suggest something for you. You can use the back to black on the plastic cladding as it should help to protect it and make it look nice as others have reported on here.

[SGT]

Thanks to both of you for the replies and the welcome. This site is great. Everyone here is so helpful and with great advice. I didn't want to remove the black around the door, stang2vibe. Just curious how to treat it. With all the areas on cars nowadays that you can and cannot wax or treat just wanted to be sure. People tend to open, hold and close the doors by touching that area and I am sure marks will come because of that. I actually saw a Matrix just yesterday without the black trim (decal) on the door frame. I think it was a base model. Toyota seemed to decontent the base Matrix more as opposed to the base Vibe. I will ask the dealer about the bumper when I go in to pick up my cargo mat and nets. The marks are almost like what I would call a wax scratch on a painted panel. The kind that disappear quickly if you put on a little wax (on a painted panel.) It isn't grooved, you can't feel it when you touch it and in some light it disappears completely. It could be a wax mark as you mentioned. You really don't notice them unless they are pointed out and you get down and really look. I (unfortunately) just have this ability to notice things on cars (especially my own) that no one else seems to notice.

[Stang2Vibe]

Don't worry, I too am a stickler for detail when it comes to cars as well, so I know how you feel.As for not removing the black decals, I know this is not your intention, but just wanted to make you aware of it. The Matrix that you noted is what caused this issue to arise initially many months ago on this site and prompted member investigation into it. We concluded that all our Vibes and Matrixes were painted underneith the black decals, but only the base Matrix left this exposed as you have already noticed. And yes, I would agree that the base Matrix is the most Spartan of all the Vibe and Matrix models. That's what made the Vibe extra-nice to me. You got more stuff standard than with a Matrix and the Vibe still costs less.The black decal material seems to be rather durable, as it has surprised me so far in how well it has held up. I have no marks on it anywhere on my Vibe. The only things that I notice that show up are fingerprints caused by the oils on your skin from when you touch the door frame to open or close the door. No big deal though, those just wash away.