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Restoring black exterior trim - what do you use?

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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 06:38 PM
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Restoring black exterior trim - what do you use?

Hey so what do you guys like to use to restore the black exterior plastic and protect it from the sun?

Lots of products on the market and opinions on the internet. What do you like?



What do you like to treat exterior plastic like this?
 

Last edited by David Lawrence; Jun 13, 2018 at 07:56 PM.
Old Jun 13, 2018 | 07:03 PM
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I've been treating it with a Simoniz uv protectant since day 1 and it looked worse than yours. I ended up just vinyl wrapping it.
 
Old Jun 13, 2018 | 07:08 PM
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octaneguy's blackwow


 
Old Jun 13, 2018 | 07:26 PM
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^^^^ pics or it never happens (see what i did there?)
 
Old Jun 14, 2018 | 09:40 AM
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Stoner TrimShine
 
Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:27 AM
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“S-100 Engine Brite”-same stuff I use on the black engine of the Harley-Davidson. I buy it at the Harley dealer. Made in Germany-you know the Germans make good stuff!
 
Old Jun 14, 2018 | 12:40 PM
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black shoe polish paste that gives a flat but not shiny and wet from liquid products.
 

Last edited by wasserball; Jun 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM.
Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:33 PM
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I just used meguiars ultimate compound, and rubbed it in as hard as fast as i could. it does restore it, fine and dandy. but ive yet to figure out a way, to keep it, from fading again
 
Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:49 AM
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paint works
 
Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:37 PM
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Meguiars Ultimate Black.

It's no better or worse than the countless other plastic restoration products I've tried. Lasts for a bit and then need to re-apply.

I agree with kenchan overall. If you want it fixed longer term, sand, prime and paint.
 
Old Jun 15, 2018 | 11:06 PM
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sometimes its just wax build up that turns the trim white. use some dawn, or even some kind of oil to remove the waxy residue.
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 07:25 AM
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ive also read peanut butter works, but im not sure i want some squirrel removing that piece off the car and taking it home..
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 07:30 AM
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I've used 303 Aerospace Protectant on all of the plastic and rubber parts. Made for marine applications.
  • It beautifies intensely and preserves as powerfully. Keep your boat, watersport equipment and outdoor gear shiny season after season
  • 100% free of grease-producing silicone oils and petroleum distillates. Its matte finish leaves no oily or greasy residue, and also repels dirt, dust, sand and saltwater.
  • Made in the U.S.A.
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 07:33 AM
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303 is good indeed but it is water based and does not last as long for exterior. i use it for interior diluted 50/50 with water.. actually my first choice for interior plastics is Prima Nero... if u can still source it somewhere.
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 08:49 AM
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303 user and supporter here as well. Not fond of the smell, but it's a good protectant.

Does little for returning an already sun damaged item to new though. I also agree that it's pretty poor at adhering to exterior parts. One rain and it's washed off.
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 10:25 AM
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Yeah that's the problem with virtually all these black plastic/rubber restorers - the results wash away so easily. A lot of the products even state that you need to re-apply them every few weeks but really, who wants to spend their time doing that over and over and over all summer long .... Reading about the need to do that in the instructions is what stopped me from buying the expensive 303.
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 01:29 PM
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yah, at this point, i recommend one just paints it and layer with uv protecting clear (matte perhaps).
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 03:28 PM
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Spray on bedliner. Just the rattle can kind. Works great and is both a nice even matte and very durable.
 
Old Jun 17, 2018 | 03:25 AM
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Originally Posted by sneefy
Spray on bedliner. Just the rattle can kind. Works great and is both a nice even matte and very durable.

I've used bedliner on other cars but I thought it had kind of a rough finish. What brand did you use?


+++++++++++


Put me in the "PAINT IT" camp. More work initially with masking or disassembly (especially places like the cowl) but it lasts MUCH longer.


 
Old Jun 17, 2018 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by David Lawrence
Hey so what do you guys like to use to restore the black exterior plastic and protect it from the sun?

Lots of products on the market and opinions on the internet. What do you like?



What do you like to treat exterior plastic like this?
Ive seen a few 2015s with their cowling like this. Its like the plastic was defective. I'd paint it sinceit looks inherent to the piece.
 



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