How to clean BLACK painted strip between doors?

[toddjb122]

How do you clean that thick black painted strip between the front passenger and rear passenger windows?

I have one greasy fingerprint wipe from a kid, and another spot where someone touched it with sunscreen.
That is an odd matte finish and nothing I try seems to get off the residue. I've tried heavy applications of car wash soap and also a spot cleaning spray that I have from FinishFirst.

I'm hesitant to clean with a wax, polish or compound because I'm not sure how that will affect the color and I may just exaggerate the problem.

Thanks!

 

[PaulLR3]

I just use regular car wax on it...P21S carnauba wax which does not leave a white residue on it.

As for the rubber trim that divides the rear passenger windows, use Aerospace 303 protectant on those. Also apply it to the plastic cowl at the bottom of the windshield to reduce fading and warping.

 

[toddjb122]

Thanks. I do use 303 on most things as well. That stuff is great. I wish the prior owner of my 2013 had used it on the black plastic cowl below the windshield. Because it's now light gray after a few years in the Florida sun. (I've tried the re-black products in the past, but found while they look nice when applied, they don't wear well)

That hard black strip... Wax? Okay. It has always remained unblemished, marked, or faded (even on my old LR3 after many years), but cleaning off the marks described has been elusive. I wasn't sure if wax would leave swirl marks or other side effects that would then need monthly maintenance to keep after.

 

[iSurfvilano]

rub some mud on it.

 

[PaulLR3]

Wax will make the next round of cleaning off kid's finger prints even easier.