Wax/Sealant/Protectant for Black Plastic Bumpers

[jonn127]

Great, sounds like I just wasted money on the Poorboys trim restorer. Live and learn I guess.

 

[1flyfisher]

Where did you read I complained about 303 washing off from rain?

Washing off with rains was the complaint you made with 303. PBTR, 303, Megs #40, Megs Ultimate Protectant, Back to Black, Armor All are dressings that all wash off quickly in the rain. You apply them weekly to keep up the look. The cost of dressings is initial product cost, the added labor of applying it over and over again and the frequency of buying more product.

A sealant like UTTG is 2-3x more expensive but won't wash off quickly with rain. You apply it ever few months. You have a choice between longer term protection that doesn't wash off with something like UTTG or products that temporarily make the trim look good.

Using plastic polish to clean the trim as I mentioned will also not protect your plastic long term but cleans the trim to look good temporarily. For me, it seems to remove staining and cleans better than some of these other products. This is my '99 BMW black plastic trim after using OGPP on Saturday.

If you are using a sealant on your paint that is compatible with plastic trim, that may be another option until you can afford UTTG. If you aren't sure about compatibility, you can call AG Tech Services if it is sold by AG.

 

[Kurt_s]

Great, sounds like I just wasted money on the Poorboys trim restorer. Live and learn I guess.

You didn't waste your money. You bought a very good dressing that washes off faster than something like UTTG.

If you go back to Corey's review, you will see that his bumber looked initially better with both PBTR and 303 than UTTG. However, two weeks later, the UTTG treated surface still looked the same and both the PBTR and 303 reverted back to their old look.

Just plan to reapply the PBTR more often and save for the UTTG in the future.

 

[Jeff120]

Washing off with rains was the complaint you made with 303. PBTR, 303, Megs #40, Megs Ultimate Protectant, Back to Black, Armor All are dressings that all wash off quickly in the rain. You apply them weekly to keep up the look. The cost of dressings is initial product cost, the added labor of applying it over and over again and the frequency of buying more product.

Megs Ultimate Protectant is one of the few dressings that I have used that last through the rain and even a few washings. If you dont like the price of the Ultima give that a try. For the price, its pretty tough to beat.

 

[1flyfisher]

The 303 does last ok. I am getting 3+ months out of it and this rig sits outside daily and is in the boonies driving down dusty dirt roads every other week for flyfishing. I guess the problem I am having is not with the 303 but the fact that i may have slopped some KAIO or maybe KSG on the rear black plastic around the tail lights(maybe you can picture that upper tail light plastic trim on gm vans) and now it has some white streaks and looks whittish. Damn I wish I could take a pic to show you guys but I just dunked my digital camera while flyfishing last week and it is kaput.
The last time I put on the 303 was about 3+ months ago and the bumpers are still ok. I have only washed them and they return to black.
I guess i wanted something even cheaper than the 303.
I think I will try the megs ultimate when the 303 runs out.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.

 

[Kurt_s]

Where did you read I complained about 303 washing off from rain?

Sorry if I over interpreted your post. I made assumptions. I still remember what my 10th grade geometry teacher taught us about the word assume. Apparently, he was proven correct again.

You said it is expensive and doesn't last long. You also mentioned something about areas turning white which to me suggests a loss of UV protection. In your hands, is there another reason why the 303 doesn't last long?

From my recent experience with 303, it washes off rather quickly with rain and car washes when used on exterior trim and tires. I find that 303 does not last as long as several tire dressings that I have used extensively. I am still amazed what it did to the interior of a 16 year old Honda about a month back, but that is interior not exterior.

Corey's recent PBTR, 303 and UTTG review suggested that both 303 and PBTR washed off in a 2 week period of time. I've found similar situations with other exterior dressings that I've used over the past 20+ years, some better and some much worse.

Sorry again if I mis-interpreted your post. Good luck in your search.

 

[BobbyG]

UTTG is out of my $$$ RANGE.

Anyone use Mother's back to Black?????
I think I read here on this website that it is pretty good.

That Meg's Ultimate protectant is in my $$$ range.

I think that Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant is one of the better products they've come out with for the consumer in a long time. I've done several tests and this product works and works well. It's probably the best value for the dollar for exterior plastic protectants.

I've tried 303 Aerospace several times because of all the rave reviews it's gotten here but I just don't see what all the hoopla's about. On the interior it's just OK but on the exterior it's a waste of time and product.

 

[Kurt_s]

The 303 does last ok. I am getting 3+ months out of it and this rig sits outside daily and is in the boonies driving down dusty dirt roads every other week for flyfishing. I guess the problem I am having is not with the 303 but the fact that i may have slopped some KAIO or maybe KSG on the rear black plastic around the tail lights(maybe you can picture that upper tail light plastic trim on gm vans) and now it has some white streaks and looks whittish. Damn I wish I could take a pic to show you guys but I just dunked my digital camera while flyfishing last week and it is kaput.
The last time I put on the 303 was about 3+ months ago and the bumpers are still ok. I have only washed them and they return to black.
I guess i wanted something even cheaper than the 303.
I think I will try the megs ultimate when the 303 runs out.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.

The 303 seems to work very well in your hands with 3+ month protection. That has not been my experience but it sure looks nice until it gets washed off.

The plastic polish tip may help remove the KAIO as it has done a nice job of removing my slips over the past 10 years.

 

[1flyfisher]

What is the "plastic polish tip"?

Also it may last well for me because my vehicle and all the plastic is only 8 months old.
It lasts ok but I don't know what the heck is going on with the tail light trim getting whittish?????
Damn wish I had a camera!!

The plastic polish tip may help remove the KAIO as it has done a nice job of removing my slips over the past 10 years.

 

[dougaross]

Damn I wish I could take a pic to show you guys but I just dunked my digital camera while flyfishing last week and it is kaput.

Show us fish pics :laughing:

 

[DARK HORSE]

I think that Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant is one of the better products they've come out with for the consumer in a long time. I've done several tests and this product works and works well. It's probably the best value for the dollar for exterior plastic protectants.

I've tried 303 Aerospace several times because of all the rave reviews it's gotten here but I just don't see what all the hoopla's about. On the interior it's just OK but on the exterior it's a waste of time and product.

Bobby have you ever tried UT&TG? If not you're really missing a really great product.

 

[Kurt_s]

What is the "plastic polish tip"?

Also it may last well for me because my vehicle and all the plastic is only 8 months old.
It lasts ok but I don't know what the heck is going on with the tail light trim getting whittish?????
Damn wish I had a camera!!

Over the weekend I thought that I posted a thread about using OG plastic polish to clean black plastic trim. I can't find the post to give you a link. I referred to using plastic polish in this thread.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...1-review-poorboy-s-world-trim-restorer-7.html

Also, an 8 month old vehicle should still have black trim with or without 303. The UTTG suggestion would be a great way to keep your van in great shape for years to come even if is seems to be expensive up front.

 

[artofdetailing]

Washing off with rains was the complaint you made with 303. PBTR, 303, Megs #40, Megs Ultimate Protectant, Back to Black, Armor All are dressings that all wash off quickly in the rain. You apply them weekly to keep up the look. The cost of dressings is initial product cost, the added labor of applying it over and over again and the frequency of buying more product.

A sealant like UTTG is 2-3x more expensive but won't wash off quickly with rain. You apply it ever few months. You have a choice between longer term protection that doesn't wash off with something like UTTG or products that temporarily make the trim look good.

Using plastic polish to clean the trim as I mentioned will also not protect your plastic long term but cleans the trim to look good temporarily. For me, it seems to remove staining and cleans better than some of these other products. This is my '99 BMW black plastic trim after using OGPP on Saturday.

If you are using a sealant on your paint that is compatible with plastic trim, that may be another option until you can afford UTTG. If you aren't sure about compatibility, you can call AG Tech Services if it is sold by AG.

What is OGPP?

 

[Kurt_s]

What is OGPP?

It's a plastic polish made by One Grand out of Ventura, CA.

 

[1flyfisher]

I picked up Some Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant from Kragen's Auto.\
It went on just like 303. And did as good of a job on all my black plastic.
It is pretety much as good as 303 as far as applying it.
It was only $8.00.
I will see how long it lasts.

 

[CEE DOG]

Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Even though it is pricey compared to other items, just remember that very, very little is required and lasts. It has many uses and the bottle will last you a long time. If you compare price/application it actually is very affordable.

:whs: GREAT stuff!

:iagree: Much better then anything mentioned yet.

I have used both, they will not last past the first rain... Same thing can be said about the PB trim restorer.

Save a little more and get the UTTG, you wont be sorry.

$32 is out of your price range? Think of how many bottles of Back To Black or Ultimate Protectant you will go through over time trying to maintain black trim. I'm not taking away from any of the products listed throughout this article, but you stated you're tired of trim dressings that wash off. Why not go with something that is going to last? One bottle of UTTG will last way longer than a bottle of the other stuff. To each their own I guess.

Durability is going to depend on a lot of things but I can assure you that one bottle will last you well over a year. You could do that whole van and not really notice much missing out of the bottle.

If you buy it and it doesn't work as we have stated, I will personally buy the remainder of the product from you. You have my word in black & white right here and open to the public to see. I have never read a negative comment about the performance of this product.

:iagree:

And as far as the last post goes if Richard doesn't make his move fast enough I'll take it off your hands. Same guarantee.

 

[IOMCAMARO]

I personally like Adam's VRT, but I haven't used Ultima.

 

[jonn127]

interesting, I've used PB Trim on a 50/50 spot, been raining here the last couple days, and its still there. Maybe some batches are better than others.....

 

[CEE DOG]

Also, an 8 month old vehicle should still have black trim with or without 303. The UTTG suggestion would be a great way to keep your van in great shape for years to come even if is seems to be expensive up front.

Exactly! Protecting it right up front will pay off big time! The product takes a very small amount and an application lasts for months without fading. One 12 oz. bottle will last for years and years if you are using it on only one vehicle.

Bobby have you ever tried UT&TG? If not you're really missing a really great product.

I agree

interesting, I've used PB Trim on a 50/50 spot, been raining here the last couple days, and its still there. Maybe some batches are better than others.....

I think it has a lot to do with the exact makeup of the material you apply it to. I know with 303AP I get very different results on different pieces that seem like the same material but must be slightly different composition.

 

[SeaJay's]

May want to try Adam's VRT. It's my go to for exterior trim now. I did a test spot with 303 and Adam's VRT on one of the bed covers on my Avalanche. The Adam's half still looks dark and repels water after 3 weeks. The 303 is just about gone.