The trim on my new 2022 Pilot is looking new and I'd like to keep it that way. The SUV's paint is the darker metallic "Modern Steel Metallic". The trim around the wheels and bumper has a lighter grey look to it. I have gone through the site and searched but most posts address trim that needs restoring. I'd basically like to get a protectant on it and retain it's original color and matte finish. It's first wash is coming up soon and I'd like apply something at that time. I'm not really interested in any exotic or high priced elixir but if I have to I will make the purchase. I'd prefer a long lasting OTC product that is easily accessible and is user friendly with a "wipe on, wipe off" application process.
Preserving "New" exterior Trim
- Thread starter Honda Fan
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The car came with a dealer added paint protection covering. I know this was an unnecessary add on to pay for but there were other concessions when I bought it. With that said, I'm not sure exactly what was used. I can tell you one thing, whoever did it did one heck of a great job. It looks REALLY nice sitting in the garage. I bought some (Turtle Wax) Hybrid Solutions Ceramic spray and was going to try it out on the wheels. I will probably use it on the door jams and a few other inconspicuous spots to see what the results look like. Could this double up as a plastic protection spray?
The Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray should last 4-6 months on normal paint, probably less if it has a decent coating on it though it likely would make the coating last longer. The ceramic spray can also be used on the trim to keep it protected and I’d expect it to do well though not sure how long it’s durability would be. My guess is you’d want to use it every 3 months to ensure solid protection.
The WETS that The Guz recommend is a good exterior trim sealant that gives solid protection for 3-4 months. CarPro DLUX that TTQ recommended or my favorite, Pinnacle Ceramic Trim Coating, are both coatings for your trim that will require you to continue to coat them though the trim coating could last 9-12 months before needing reapplication.
You’ll be fine with any of these options.
The most important part isn’t your trim but how you take care of the paint. A coating won’t stop scratches so be careful how you wash the paint to ensure you don’t induce marring that might require polishing even though the coating is still strong.
One last thing, the parts of your car that are most sensitive are actually your headlights. While you can also put DLux or a ceramic spray on them, the best protection would come from placing paint protection film (PPF) over the headlights. Of course, if you do a lot of highway driving, you may also want to put PPF on the front clip of your car.
Bosko
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- Oct 27, 2021
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Many good suggestions here
The TWHS Ceramic spray will work just fine....like all and any other surfaces on a vehicle...keep up with the maintenance/cleaning....this is key
My Kia is a 2018 and is never garaged and travels on 2 miles of dirt roads a day
TTQ B4U
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- Jan 20, 2016
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Nope. The "paint protection" most dealers apply is likey just a Jax Wax Brand product but not a good coating like we're discussing. Certainly not a trim coating. I grew up in the car business with a family that owned dealerships and can say most all the extras are simply just added profit tied to a warranty in case something bad happens. In the 80's the scare tactic centered around acid rain spots, etc.
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- #10
Thank you for the suggestions and guidance. I'm fairly confident in my DIY detailing routines but with all these new coatings and treatments that are out there I guess I need a little hand holding and guidance before jumping into the deep end. I'm basically old school and up until purchasing my first DA polisher about 5 years ago I basically did everything by hand and used your basic polish and then wax coating. I guess I'm just a little nervous about wiping something onto a new finish and finding out... oops! I felt comfortable with my routine but each time I've done something new, like clay-barring a car etc, I've found that my results have improved and the time I need to spend keeping my cars looking sharp has greatly decreased. I'll be spot testing these new products in order to get a feel for them and then hopefully they'll become part of my evolution in car care.
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- #13
Thanks for that input. Is this mentioned on their site? Regardless, I'm going to do some spritzing of the TW product on my wheels very soon and then migrate to the painted door jams and less conspicuous areas to see how we work together.
As a side note, would the TWHS be any good on wheel wells? My wells are basically pristine and new (heck, the whole cars is pristine and new) and I was wondering if this we be a good choice?
The Guz
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- Jun 17, 2013
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Have used it on new trim without any issues.
Rsurfer
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Bosko
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off their site* CarPro*
Brand New Vehicles (Textured Plastic):
MANY people use Dlux on new textured plastic successfully. However the reason we have a warning is because of possible complications that can arise a year later due to variables out of our control. A car dealer may use a very high silicone content dressing on the trim before selling it to the new owner and some of this may not be able to be removed before application of Dlux. That can cause it not to bond and create an unsightly appearance if not entirely bonded. We believe it is also possible that the plastic may “gas out” for a year or so after being created and potentially that gas could get caught between ceramic and plastic and create tiny microscopic bubbles that start to make an unsightly dulling appearance. In the rare instances that it happens, there is no surefire solution to removing the discoloration or white dots due to the fact it is nearly impossible to effectively polish a ceramic coating off textured plastic without changing its appearance.
The ceramic spray likely wouldn’t hold up in the wheel wells. You may want to use more of a tire/trim spray like Duragloss 253, Megs Hyper Dressing or similar. Griots also has an undercarriage spray though many of us use products like I just mentioned.
Bruno Soares
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- Mar 30, 2017
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I never had issues with Dlux on a new car but I also never allowed a dealer to prep the car for delivery, I take them dirty, better than letting them touch the cars.
Texchappy
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- Mar 13, 2015
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Hopefully my dealership will listen, especially after waiting for over a year for this vehicle.