Modern Vespa

Hey guys, hoping you can help me out. I got my Mp3 and immediately began the process of cleaning after the first weekend of riding. I washed it and waxed it using Meguiar's wax. I also made sure to clean under it well, wipe everything dry. Long story short, it looks great EXCEPT that a small bit of wax got on the side black plastic tire fender. I've tried armor all, tire cleaner, glass cleaner, everything. The tire shine made it disappear for awhile, but it reappeared after a day or so. How can I get the waxy white residue out of the black plastic texture?! Maybe I'm just being nickpicky, but it makes it look dirty, which defeats the point of detailing it. PLEASE HELP if you know how to remove wax without damaging my baby!

toothbrush

Sorry, can't help - I've never put wax on any bike. A smear of ACF-50 if there are salty roads forecast is the best they can expect.

I find the color of mud and dirt looks pretty good on mine.

I can wash it, and if I ride it home, it will be dirty (the joys of a dirt road).

I did find a can of spray cleaner, which works really nice (it cleans and polishes - got it at Alamo CylePlex). You don't need water, but I would not use it on a truly dirty bike.

I cannot help you with your particular problem. I use a microfiber cloth to wipe my scooter down. Sometimes I will use a little Plexus spray on the rag. I live in the desert so I expect mine to be dusty daily.

luthorhuss, just noticed you are in oak ridge, did you get your mp3 at destination? I just left Kingston and came out to Calif. for work for the next 2.5 years or I would ask you to go riding sometime. The toothbrush will work to get in the textured areas real good, like brushing your teeth, and not scratch anything. Also use your leaf blower to dry the scooter after washing as it will get the water out of all those tricky little areas.

Hey old,
No, but I did go by Destination and ask to get one. They were out(everyone was) and said it would be August before they got any in. I went to Prebul in Chattanooga(the big car dealer) and got mine. They just opened a scooter dept and I was very impressed by the fact that they hired two full time mech for scooters only. Already done my first service there and it went well.

The problem i have though is not what tool to use, I can easily get to the wax/fender, its the actual removal of the wax that is giving me issues. I've tried an electric scrubber thingy, that acts simliarly to a toothbrush. The problem is everytime I think its gone, i go out in the sun and the wax reappears. I'll have to post a pic. I wonder if applying a hair dryer would allow me to 'rebuff' the wax out.

Check at an automotive paint dealer for a solvent to remove wax. Have to get wax off a surface completely before painting or paint won't stick (sanding will just scratch the wax down into the next layer, so it must be wax free first). Many years ago when I did painting we would wipe down surfaces with just acetone, but there maybe something better now.

Always try it first on a piece not visible to test if it will harm the finish/texture.

If no luck there maybe just wax the rest of it to get a uniform look....?

+1 on using Micro Fiber Cloth.

You will be amazed at how soft.

Do your bike a favor. Got mine at Autozone around $9.00

+2 on the soft toothbrush. After that I use armorall high shine on all the hard vynil. It comes in a spray bottle lasts a long time between applications.

I feel the need to clean...

I use an ancient tube of Black Again.

Apparently, the company that produced it went out of business and was bought out by American Oil Co.

Here is a write-up/online dealer:
http://www.properautocare.com/blackagain.html

"Improved Black Again renews and restores dull, chalky and white-stained bumpers and exterior trim moldings OF ANY COLOR. It penetrates into the pores of rubber and vinyl, dissolves old wax residues and restores the trim to a like-new appearance. The new Black Again leaves a bright "wet-look" shine that lasts wash after wash. "

I'd be willing to guess that it's available at local auto parts stores and would save you shipping.

I recently tried Mother's Back-to-Black, but that was worthless.

I guess I just don't understand why you went through that elaborate routine on a new bike in the first place?

Can't say I'd ever wax my scooter.

Exactly, why bother?

Ditto on the last two posts. I use a little Mother's regular wax on the shiny parts because here in Florida we have these damn love bugs and it helps to clean them off but dang...its a new bike!