Exterior Trim Cleaning & Dressing - So confused

pdqgp said:
WETS is what I recommend. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. I usually use a small cheap MF Rag cut up into 2"x2" Squares. One square will last weeks and once wet with product will go forever. Literally 1-2 drops once primed will do quite a bit.

The B-Pillars on this one were starting to "grey" out. Took a few applications and weeks but eventually the "like new" look stayed and now it doesn't require a reapplication for several weeks or months. Notice the window trim along the bottom of the window where it meets the door. Those are rubber and look new too.



Plastic Grill.....like new: Doesn't soak up a lot like other materials so I retreat this every month or so.



Cowling along windshield was faded to gray. I restored it using ReNu Pro. Once restored, a little WETS keeps it black and beading like brand new. Same with the wiper arms. They now stay black and don't fade or turn any more.






I used the same ReNu Pro on the grill and it too looks new and is simply treated with WETS every couple months.



The toughest peice for me was the rear step cover. It was gray/white with sun damage. Restored with ReNu Pro and treated with WETS monthly. It took 2 treatments of ReNu Pro but it now looks brand new and stays. Here it is beading water from a rain storm.

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Just have to say this is an exceptional post pdqgp! Great contribution to the topic!!

Also have to jump on the WETS bandwagon... easily the best exterior trim sealant. Dlux also gets high praise but as it is a coating takes a little more care in applying.
 
good post, thanks. What is wets? I'm looking at the same idea for my older faded trim. Using pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion that ive had for cleaning and it works very well.
 
UTdetailing said:
Below is what I have tried and the reason I am still looking for the "right product"

Meg's Ultimate Protectant - Love the satin/natural finish, but runs and washes off in places with the first three rain drops
303 Aerospace - Again love the finish, although it seemed to be a little more finicky in producing a consistent finish, but again runs and washes off with even the slightest rain/snow
Meg's Ultimate Back to Black - A little too shiny
Mothers VLR - I applied this 3 times and in 10 minutes I couldn't tell if I had applied it at all
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UTdetailing said:
Thanks BMW. Looking at the price, Wolfgang sure is proud of this product. Is this similar to a black wow, meaning a very little product goes a long way?
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Some other posters have touched on this, but I divide trim products into three to four categories:

Dressings--these are usually PDMS emulsions or at the extreme end (Black Wow, Poorboy's Trim Restorer) a PDMS in its pure (oil) form. These tend to wash off after a while

"Sealants"--products like WETS, UTTG, BFTTT. These seem to bond better and last longer.

Coatings--like DLux and C4. These last the longest, but the application is more finicky and if you apply too much you can have long-term problems ("silvering").

Dyes--these seem to have mostly fallen out of favor, but I guess Solution Finish falls into this category and has a strong following here

I'd put the products you tried or are contemplating in the Dressing category. WETS is definitely worth the money, try to catch a sale today/tomorrow either here or at the Wolfgang site. It's impossible to mess up like with a coating or a dye, works on every surface, etc.
 
Yea, trim is a PITA. Best I have used is the WETS. A bottle will last a very long time. Mothers trim cleaner is a very good prep product. I have been playing around with Griots black shine trim restorer as of late. Gel version. I have found it to be a very good product. Did the whole Xterra last week. All that trim. What a pain!!


http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-trim-restorer.html

Love the included applicator!! To be honest, I would love to try/find a aerosol trim product that would produce lasting results. It would make my job so much eaiser! BUT...Aerosols can be a mess.

Tempted to try...

http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-black-shine-trim-tire-coating.html
 
Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like the consensus is "WETS" provides what I am looking for, at least for the trim. Is the Blackfire trim sealant pretty close to the wolfgangs? Looks like they are both mfg by Autogeek/PBMG.
 
UTdetailing said:
Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like the consensus is "WETS" provides what I am looking for, at least for the trim. Is the Blackfire trim sealant pretty close to the wolfgangs? Looks like they are both mfg by Autogeek/PBMG.
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The Blackfire is different, some people like it better for certain surfaces (there are a myriad of trim materials and textures). I have both but I haven't gotten around to using the Blackfire yet.
 
UTdetailing said:
Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like the consensus is "WETS" provides what I am looking for, at least for the trim. Is the Blackfire trim sealant pretty close to the wolfgangs? Looks like they are both mfg by Autogeek/PBMG.
Click to expand...

The thing I like about WETS is it seems to work on a variety of surfaces equally well (wiper arms, wiper cowl, rubber window trim, plastic black/gray trim, bumper panels, etc). IMO It's just a real safe bet if you wanna hit all the nails on the head the first time. I've tried other products and while many are awesome for one thing or another, there's often one surface I'm not happy with. But I haven't had that issue with WETS.

i THINK the Blackfire has a tint in it-- can someone confirm? Maybe it's not the sealant, but rather the AIO. I can't remember for sure. Seems I recall reading that one of them will stain your hands if not wearing gloves.
 
the blackfire is ok it doesnt really stand out from all the other trim products i have or have used
 
For the last few years I've used this:

BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant, plastic trim restorer, tire coating, long lasting tire shine

Like the Wolfgang product, it's appears to be expensive for such a small bottle. However, a little bit goes a very long way when applying, and it protects trim for months once applied. I'm still on my original bottle two years later despite using it on a car and one SUV periodically all year long.

I simply give all the trim a good cleaning with an APC and then apply. It darkens faded trim and gives everthing a nice dark satin appearance.
 
Chemical Guys product called VPR (Vynil, Plastic, Rubber) it is a water based dressing that can be applied with a microfiber pad. I use it for my tires and trim. One of my neighbors like the product in which he asked me if I can give him a bottle from the gallon that I have.
 
I use this product on exterior trim- Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer.

It costs $65.00 for 30 ml so it's not cheap.

I have had it on for 1.5 years (coming into second winter) and still looks new.

I even did the seals around the front and rear glass and they still look brand new.

A little goes a long way.

Only downside was if it got on paint, it hardened like paint (clear but noticeable) and had to be removed with plastic razor blade.

As a hobbyist, no rush, so will probably tape off areas when I redo it in the spring.
 
Crispy said:
I use this product on exterior trim- Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer.

It costs $65.00 for 30 ml so it's not cheap.

I have had it on for 1.5 years (coming into second winter) and still looks new.

I even did the seals around the front and rear glass and they still look brand new.

A little goes a long way.

Only downside was if it got on paint, it hardened like paint (clear but noticeable) and had to be removed with plastic razor blade.

As a hobbyist, no rush, so will probably tape off areas when I redo it in the spring.
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Also have my eye on this. Their T1 TIRE is AMAZING! All I use now for my tires.
 
pdqgp said:
WETS is what I recommend. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. I usually use a small cheap MF Rag cut up into 2"x2" Squares. One square will last weeks and once wet with product will go forever. Literally 1-2 drops once primed will do quite a bit.

The B-Pillars on this one were starting to "grey" out. Took a few applications and weeks but eventually the "like new" look stayed and now it doesn't require a reapplication for several weeks or months. Notice the window trim along the bottom of the window where it meets the door. Those are rubber and look new too.



Plastic Grill.....like new: Doesn't soak up a lot like other materials so I retreat this every month or so.



Cowling along windshield was faded to gray. I restored it using ReNu Pro. Once restored, a little WETS keeps it black and beading like brand new. Same with the wiper arms. They now stay black and don't fade or turn any more.






I used the same ReNu Pro on the grill and it too looks new and is simply treated with WETS every couple months.



The toughest peice for me was the rear step cover. It was gray/white with sun damage. Restored with ReNu Pro and treated with WETS monthly. It took 2 treatments of ReNu Pro but it now looks brand new and stays. Here it is beading water from a rain storm.

Click to expand...

That looks incredible! Nice work! How long have you maintained the ReNu by applying the WETS on top of it?
 
Thank you all for the suggestions! Ordered the "WETS" today.
 
UTdetailing said:
That looks incredible! Nice work! How long have you maintained the ReNu by applying the WETS on top of it?
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Since last winter. The restoration coloring, etc. has held up 100%. I now only need to use WETS every couple months or so. The trim no longer seems to lose it's great look or appearance. I simply coat it with whatever detail spray I'm using on the paint and wipe it off. Water continues to bead and the trim looks great.
 
Nice! That is encouraging. I worry about the road salt in the winter almost as much if not more than the sun here in Utah.
 
Ive been looking for a good trim dressing sealant as well. I'm leaning towards trying WETS and the Griots Black Shine™ Trim Restorer. Do you apply your trim dressing/sealant during your weekly maintenance washes?
 
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