Help with black trim

cmanningjr

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I'm pretty sure it's dried wax and soap from automatic car washes. Anyway, it keeps coming back. Any advice??

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Before all way to left. After alcohol (which worked best) to the right.

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After drying

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This morning. :(


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You need to get it really clean (scrub with APC and a soft brush, or try the new Mother's Back-to-Black Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner--I recommend you rinse after), then use a restorer like CarPro DLux, or GTechniq C4, or even Optimum Opti-Lens.
 
I was also recommended the Mothers trim cleaner, but have not used it yet.
 
You need to get it really clean (scrub with APC and a soft brush, or try the new Mother's Back-to-Black Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner--I recommend you rinse after), then use a restorer like CarPro DLux, or GTechniq C4, or even Optimum Opti-Lens.

This is pretty much what I'd do. I haven't used the Back to Black in the process but if it adds to the the color and CarPro DLux or GTechniq and/or Opti'lens sticks okay with the Back to Black I think you'll find it works well and for a long time.
 
This is pretty much what I'd do. I haven't used the Back to Black in the process but if it adds to the the color and CarPro DLux or GTechniq and/or Opti'lens sticks okay with the Back to Black I think you'll find it works well and for a long time.

That Mothers product is a cleaner--I'm not sure it really does more than a good APC, but it's a gel which makes it easy to use and it comes with a nice brush. They recommend wiping it dry, and when you do that it leaves a glossy black finish, but I find that if you rinse it off thoroughly (which you would want to do before applying a coating/restorer), it goes back to a dull-but-clean appearance (in my limited experience with it).
 
May be oxidized pigment, that you can try to work off by using a good small brush like a fingernail brush. Then see above recommendations for restoring treatment products.
 
You need to get it really clean (scrub with APC and a soft brush, or try the new Mother's Back-to-Black Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner--I recommend you rinse after), then use a restorer like CarPro DLux, or GTechniq C4, or even Optimum Opti-Lens.

:xyxthumbs: And you are finding out, the automactic car wash uses some STRONG SOAP! This in itself is not helping!
 
I have some bad trim pieces too. I was thinking about trying Forever Black Bumper And Trim Dye.
 
I have some bad trim pieces too. I was thinking about trying Forever Black Bumper And Trim Dye.

Use a water spot remover on bad trim before applying a dressing.
 
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I'll let you know how it goes...


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Thoroughly cleaning the trim is very important as removing any foreign wax or contamination is paramount to its restoration. Once the piece is clean, apply a product that will deepen its color and add long term protection.

A product that I've used with great success is Solution Finish. :props:

"Solution Finish is an incredible new product that restores originally black surfaces to a deep, rich, black finish, without the "wet look." Solution Finish dries quickly with no greasy residue. This unique formula combines ancient ingredients with advanced polymer technology to provide a spectacular, long-lasting, black, protective finish."
 
View attachment 27299

View attachment 27300

This is a family members car that they let me do test spots to check out Solution Finish.

A little goes a long way. The car will keep being neglected so I'll see how it holds up. I'll keep you guys posted.

It also looks like I am going to be doing a Solution Finish video sometime in the nearer future, but more on that later.

Also I've been thinking about restoring the car to its highest potential (cosmetically) but decided not to because it'll just go back to being neglected and it will be waste of time,effort, and product.

However, for a video it would be a good pick for dramatic before and after's
 
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Ok, attempt #2 using Mothers Back to Black heavy duty trim cleaner. Sorry for the crappy iphone pictures..

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Brushing and working shot.

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Almost final results with no protection..

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My 50/50 shot..

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My 50/50 shot after wiping down with CG rinse less wash.

My final opinion will be decided tomorrow morning. :)

A couple of comments about the product.

It's thinner than I thought it would be, kinda making it a little messy. I have an idea for a different bottle to help..maybe one with a dropper style top..

Work small areas at a time and scrub different directions for maximum results.

And the brush is pretty stiff. But I'm sure that's part of what makes it work..

We'll see how it looks in the morning..

Thanks for the recommendation..







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:xyxthumbs: And you are finding out, the automactic car wash uses some STRONG SOAP! This in itself is not helping!


Yes, my wife is forbidden to drive thru another car wash..


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Beautiful results with the trim cleaner! It appears that that is hard plastic trim?

I have a question regarding trim: I have brushed trim with a toothbrush in the past and lots of black trim disintegration came off and ran down the car. Now the trim on this "test car" has trim that looks stripped of its top coating exposing some matte ugly color underneath. I would love to clean trim, remove disintegration AND restore its color during a detail on a car with very very UV damaged trim (like the car I tested on).

1) Do trim restorers actually last if they are applied OVER this disintegration?
2) Is it better to lightly brush the trim and rid it of SOME of the black residue? Would this help the restorer to bond?
3) What if the trim is so delicate and UV damaged that brushing will ruin it? What do you do to "clean it" and restore it?
4) Has anyone ever had problems with freshly cleaned (brushed, cloth washed) and restored trim leaking its black color residue down the paint? I cleaned and put a silicone based rubber dressing on a car once and the next day it rained. There was a line of black down the side of the car.

Anyone have any trim cleaning tips to help me out? (especially when cleaning and restoring UV damaged, disintegrating trim. Thanks!
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Mendham...I don't think there is much you can do if the trim is disintegrating. I helped a friend with an 80's Taurus and the door handle surrounds etc. were just kind of falling apart as you describe.

PS If you are in Mendham NJ we should pow-wow sometime and shoot the breeze.
 
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