How to restore exterior black plastic trim

['03 Ram 5.9]

Routine maintenance = find something you like and use it often.

Mike - I know you always say find something you like and use it often but are there some products out there that actually dry the trim out over time due to being water based? If so, can you name products to stay away from or specific ingredients to look out for?

 

[timsatx]

Is this the brush that was used?

White Standard Carpet Brush

 

[gcollins]

Mike,

I am getting a new truck and plan on using Opti-Coat which says it can be used on plastic trim. Should I be doing something like this to the trim before I coat it.

And, after I coat it would the Opti-Coat protect it well enough that I wouldn't have to maintain it like this. Or is there some maintenance I would still have to do? (other than washing of course)

 

[builthatch]

Mike,

I am getting a new truck and plan on using Opti-Coat which says it can be used on plastic trim. Should I be doing something like this to the trim before I coat it.

And, after I coat it would the Opti-Coat protect it well enough that I wouldn't have to maintain it like this. Or is there some maintenance I would still have to do? (other than washing of course)

i am confident in the answer for this so i'll step in...

you don't want to do anything other than clean the new trim in preparation for Opti-Coat. any treatment past that will inhibit the coating's ability to bond to the trim.

if the truck is new, you shouldn't need more than a strong Dawn wash (allowing it to dwell during the wash) and then when dried, an IPA solution wipe down. at that point the trim should be ready for the Opti-Coat.

the coating will provide UV protection and also a physical barrier between the trim and the environment so other than washing, as long as you keep abrasives away from it...and acids...you should be a-ok and not have to give it any special treatment.

 

[akj]

I just got my first bottle of ultima trim and tire guard.. I love it!! Although it seems like it goes quick.

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online

 

[BrutalNoodle]

Here's is the plastic after just machine scrubbing... note by removing the dead, oxidized plastic it already looks 100% better, this is your goal. Try to get the trim looking better by cleaning first.

Hard to believe a method as simple as APC & carpet attachment would yield such an amazing result! Talk about unbelievable transformation. If it wasn't for the photos, I would be highly skeptical.

I'm going to give this one a try tomorrow. Thank you very much! rops:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

May I ask what it was that you used in this demo?

Used,

Meguiar's G110v2
Black Cyclo Brush
Blackfire APC
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant

Thanks for this info. I am very interested in getting exterior plastic restored. Where do you find aerospace 303?

You can find it on the AG Store. 303 is a good product too...

the brush that is showen in post #17, is it one of the Cyclo brushes?

Yes it's the black one...

Cyclo Polisher Brushes

Mike - I know you always say find something you like and use it often but are there some products out there that actually dry the trim out over time due to being water based?

If so, can you name products to stay away from or specific ingredients to look out for?

Water-based doesn't really tell the entire story. I'm not a chemist and never pretend to be. I'm not sure that just because a product is water-based this automatically means it will dry out plastic. Maybe go with a brand name you know and trust that the chemist creating the formulas has done their homework.

Is this the brush that was used?

White Standard Carpet Brush

No it is the black one seen here...



There are 4 different brushes available so you can choose the aggressiveness of the brush bristles for your scrubbing job...

Hard to believe a method as simple as APC & carpet attachment would yield such an amazing result! Talk about unbelievable transformation. If it wasn't for the photos, I would be highly skeptical.

I was surprized too... but that's how it looked. I really think the reason why the plastic came out looking so good is just that the brush on a machine that never gets tired pretty much cleaned off all the dead, gray plastic and got back down to fresh plastic, so to speak...

[/QUOTE]


Here's another way you can use your DA Polisher...


Best darn tire cleaning brush I've ever used!

 

[BrutalNoodle]

Here's another way you can use your DA Polisher...


Best darn tire cleaning brush I've ever used!

You, sir, are awesome. rops: rops: rops:

 

[Desertnate]

I have a question regarding the smooth plastic around the base of a side-view mirror. From the pictures it would probably similar to the B-pillar trim in this example.

Last Spring I hit the plastics around the mirrors with Klasse AIO while detailing out my car. At the time they looked great, but soon turned hazy and oxidized looking. I've since learned this is proabably due to the chemical cleaners in the product.

In this situation, would the APC scrub down still do the trick, or will I need to polish those areas with something like PlasticX? If an APC will work, will a soft tooth brush fit the bill? The areas are tight and I have no desire to remove the mirrors from the car.

The damage is done and I'd like to make them look better without making the problem worse, i.e. further damage to the plastic. I have 303 lined up for protection, so I'm just focused on correction of my mistake at that point.

Thanks.

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

Does the brush not do any damage on the white part of the tire? Also, is it advised to take the trim pieces off of the vehicle if you want to use the PC or can you just be careful and use it while the trim is on?

 

[DaVinciAutoSpa]

So all I had to do was use something I like and scrub with cleaner?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

So all I had to do was use something I like and scrub with cleaner?

Kind of... if you don't seal it somehow it will deteriorate faster than if you did seal it somehow.

That's also for neglected trim. My best advice goes like this...


When people buy a brand new car with any type of black or gray exterior trim, it looks good, often times adding sharp contrast to the painted panels. The reason it looks good is because it’s new and because it looks good most people don’t perform any type of preventative maintenance to keep it looking new.

Instead, most people wait till the trim on their car is visually and noticeably faded before taking any action.

My best and strong advice is to start taking care of your car’s black and gray plastic, rubber and vinyl trim immediately. Don’t wait for it to fade and turn ugly because once these types of materials go south restoring them to a like new appearance will require more work and more frequent attention.

 

[CowboyTruckn]

On my 07 Dodge Nitro the rear bumper has a strip of black plastic under the rear hatch in a position that would allow you to step on. Horizontal, upward facing. I have used protection products since we bought it new. It is starting to get some grayish/white like oxidation marks on it. The other trim on the vehicle looks fine even the pieces on the roof which also would be in direct sun. I have went to products like trim restorers for that particular piece specifically megs trim restorer I think and have even used moms back to black (moms lol). It looks great, takes a lot to rub in because not only is it textured it has raised, round projections, but it never seems to "restore". Is gone the next time I wash. I make sure it is clean by using an apc when it looks bad, or just washing it during my maintenance wash when it looks good. It will last through a couple washes then poof. Any thoughts?

 

[theblob640]

On my 07 Dodge Nitro the rear bumper has a strip of black plastic under the rear hatch in a position that would allow you to step on. Horizontal, upward facing. I have used protection products since we bought it new. It is starting to get some grayish/white like oxidation marks on it. The other trim on the vehicle looks fine even the pieces on the roof which also would be in direct sun. I have went to products like trim restorers for that particular piece specifically megs trim restorer I think and have even used moms back to black (moms lol). It looks great, takes a lot to rub in because not only is it textured it has raised, round projections, but it never seems to "restore". Is gone the next time I wash. I make sure it is clean by using an apc when it looks bad, or just washing it during my maintenance wash when it looks good. It will last through a couple washes then poof. Any thoughts?

If you want a more longer lasting solution, I highly recommend CarPro DLux. It is a good coating for plastic trim.

 

[CowboyTruckn]

I will give it a shot. Thank you

 

[KillaCam]

You should try ultima trim and tire guard. Here's an example why..

 

[CowboyTruckn]

You should try ultima trim and tire guard. Here's an example why..

Does it last though?

 

[PA DETAILER]

did this yesterday with WGTS. first application was months ago before winter. trim really held up with wolfgang. reapplied to all exterior trim. back to looking new. WGTS lasted months not weeks! and you just need a few drops of the product. i got the 4oz size. after two applications i have about 1/2 to 3/4 left.

 

[swanicyouth]

I've tried several trim products. Some make the trim look awesome, some a greasy, and some don't last. Nothing seems to outlast CarPro DLux. The longevity is sick - as is the beading. I coated my mud flaps with the stuff in the summer. They have been exposed to salt, snow, mud, and brine. I clean them with Grime Reaper APC. They still bead water like a hood that just had Collinite applied to it. DLux is extremely hydrophobic and long lasting.

As for dressings, none of them seem to last to look good enough for me after 1 wash. I've never tried PERL, but Prima Infinity is very good for a dressing. It's polymer containing, and beads water very well. It's also a good consistency. It works well for tires, too.

 

[PA DETAILER]

I've tried several trim products. Some make the trim look awesome, some a greasy, and some don't last. Nothing seems to outlast CarPro DLux. The longevity is sick - as is the beading. I coated my mud flaps with the stuff in the summer. They have been exposed to salt, snow, mud, and brine. I clean them with Grime Reaper APC. They still bead water like a hood that just had Collinite applied to it. DLux is extremely hydrophobic and long lasting.

As for dressings, none of them seem to last to look good enough for me after 1 wash. I've never tried PERL, but Prima Infinity is very good for a dressing. It's polymer containing, and beads water very well. It's also a good consistency. It works well for tires, too.

CQuartz DLux Plastic & Wheel Coating

swanicyouth, that does look like a serious product for trim. and doubles as a wheel coating.