Are exterior trim products becoming obsolete to the ceramic spray waxes?

C

CleanIT

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There are a lot of ways and products to treat the exterior trim/plastics on a car. I know products like 303 etc. have been popular for years. These products though don't last in the rain.

I have found over the last few years that products like Griot's 3 in 1 or Turtle Wax Seal N Shine not only make the black plastic exterior trim look good, they actually protect and can hold up in the rain. This makes them superior to many of the products like 303, where I feel their use is limited to interiors only.

Thoughts?

This is the exterior on my vehicle which was treated with 3 in 1. Water beads right off of it. It's UV protected as well.
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I think I will try Solution Finish. Thanks!
 
Mike Phillips said:
Solution Finish followed by your favorite dressing.

I'm not sure sealing plastic trim with a semi-permanent coating is a good long-term plan.



:)
Click to expand...

I got Solution Finish the other day and tried it on my weathered cowl. Amazing results. Nothing has ever worked for me and I've tried many things. Solution Finish made it look like new. I've got some Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant that I plan to use to maintain it.
 
I just ordered some. Look forward to trying it. Well, there goes my idea from the original post LOL.
 
One more...

For my February 3-day class I had a very unique vehicle - it is a 2005 Pontiac Aztek.

Most of us think they're kind of ugly. Here it is AFTER my class did a full paint correction and ceramic coating.

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The OWNER told me he had tried EVERYTHING to restore the ugly faded plastic around the gas door. I shared this with Chris before he flew from California to Florida to be a part of this class.


Here's what I shared in the pictures and comments thread from this recent class.


Pictures and Comments: 2021 February 3-Day Detailing Bootcamp Class


From post #6



Here’s the one and only Mr. Chris West WOWING the class with a miraculous restoration to the ugly faded plastic around the gas cap on a Pontiac Aztek using Solution Finish!

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Thank you Chris!






:)
 
I get great results using CarPro Perl diluted 1:2.

I can mix up 12oz for less than $3.
 
ChrisT said:
I get great results using CarPro Perl diluted 1:2.

I can mix up 12oz for less than $3.
Click to expand...

Chris,

I guess the question would be how long does Perl last before needing another application?
 
Before I found AutoGeek, I used 303 for exterior trim. It looked great until it rained. Then it just streaked down the sides of the truck. (I still use 303 for interior plastic).

If the trim is in "like new" condition, get some Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant (WETS).

If it is starting to "grey", clean/decontaminate, apply Solution Finish, then top with WETS.
 
bob m said:
Chris,

I guess the question would be how long does Perl last before needing another application?
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Fair question, Bob.

To be honest…I’ve never had the chance to find out since like most here I use products more often than necessary. 😉

I have several clients that I service every two months and it still looks good but not great compared to a fresh application.
 
ChrisT said:
I get great results using CarPro Perl diluted 1:2.

I can mix up 12oz for less than $3.
Click to expand...

Op also stated it would last through a rain.... PERL will not. If no rain PERL is a great solution. An easy month or two. It is a good looking product though...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bob m said:
Chris,

I guess the question would be how long does Perl last before needing another application?
Click to expand...

For me, PERL goes away the first time it gets wet. I've tried it on trim and tires diluted 1:1 and straight. Similar results regardless of dilution.

My best results were with products no longer produced, but I still have on hand: Blackfire's original Trim and Tire sealant and McKee's 37 Plastic Trim Restorer.
 
So what's wrong with using something like Griot's 3 in 1 or Turtle Wax SNS if it is recommended to be used on plastic trim, looks good and protects?
 
I did not use a trim product on my ZR2. The TWHS spray coating in conjunction with their wet wax, has my trim protected and looking great. Both are meant to be used in those areas. And to be truthful, that is a big time saver!
 
NJNinja said:
So what's wrong with using something like Griot's 3 in 1 or Turtle Wax SNS if it is recommended to be used on plastic trim, looks good and protects?
Click to expand...

Nothing at all, but it depends on the type of trim. For the piano black and some of the shiny/painted plastic trim any LSP would work just fine. I've found on "raw" plastic trim it doesn't look so good and the trim still fades over time. For that type of plastic I'll use a dedicated trim product.
 
Photo isn't clear because I took it looking through the window but this is the type of beading from the 3 in 1 on plastic trim after rain. If it was a 303 type product, it would have run off and streaked.

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