Looking for a good trim product

sharpreflection

sharpreflection

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Hey guys can anyone recommend a product for trim that darkens faded trim and has some water repellancy to it. I am running low on what I used to use and it’s been discontinued. So I need something new now. Thanks everyone.
 
A long time. However, there are factors that will affect just how long it will last, i.e., weather, maintenance, etc. I can tell you it creates a deeper, richer sheen that penetrates deeper than nearly all other trim products and will transform your trim to new condition - not like new, or nearly new, but literally new condition. You can also dial in the appearance from shiny to satin to matte just by how much you wipe off before it cures. There are 2 flavors... one is for returning black trim to its original dark black condition and one that's on the gray side for trim and plastic that wasn't black to begin with.
Check out the vids on YT to get a better perspective and to know what to expect. It's a little pricey but a little bit goes an unbelievably looooooooooong way. No, seriously!
 
Coach Steve said:
A long time. However, there are factors that will affect just how long it will last, i.e., weather, maintenance, etc. I can tell you it creates a deeper, richer sheen that penetrates deeper than nearly all other trim products and will transform your trim to new condition - not like new, or nearly new, but literally new condition. You can also dial in the appearance from shiny to satin to matte just by how much you wipe off before it cures. There are 2 flavors... one is for returning black trim to its original dark black condition and one that's on the gray side for trim and plastic that wasn't black to begin with.
Check out the vids on YT to get a better perspective and to know what to expect. It's a little pricey but a little bit goes an unbelievably looooooooooong way. No, seriously!
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Thanks Coach. I have looked a a few YT videos and one thing that is so frequently asked but almost never replied to is "how long does it last"?

I do realize that it can be a difficult question to answer but people are tied of hearing virtually all companies offering this kind of product and them advertising it "lasts a long time", or "very long lasting". That means nothing. Sure, it will last a long time if you don't wash your car or drive it in the rain or snow! Right?

Seriously though, in "real-world" conditions, you know perhaps a couple of washes per month and daily driving, how long does it last, at least in your experience?
 
Sonic Pilot said:
Thanks Coach. I have looked a a few YT videos and one thing that is so frequently asked but almost never replied to is "how long does it last"?

I do realize that it can be a difficult question to answer but people are tied of hearing virtually all companies offering this kind of product and them advertising it "lasts a long time", or "very long lasting". That means nothing. Sure, it will last a long time if you don't wash your car or drive it in the rain or snow! Right?

Seriously though, in "real-world" conditions, you know perhaps a couple of washes per month and daily driving, how long does it last, at least in your experience?
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Here in the PHX area, I've seen vehicles I've treated that sit outside all the time and get washed regularly last as long as 6 mos. without showing signs of fading but I've also seen a few that are in need of a touchup within 3-4 mos. simply due to the actual material/medium used to create the trim. The denser/thicker, more composite the trim, the longer Solution Finish seems to last. Vehicles I see on a regular basis that are garage kept will easily go 10-12 mos. before needing a touchup.
 
Coach Steve said:
Here in the PHX area, I've seen vehicles I've treated that sit outside all the time and get washed regularly last as long as 6 mos. without showing signs of fading but I've also seen a few that are in need of a touchup within 3-4 mos. simply due to the actual material/medium used to create the trim. The denser/thicker, more composite the trim, the longer Solution Finish seems to last. Vehicles I see on a regular basis that are garage kept will easily go 10-12 mos. before needing a touchup.
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Awesome! That's much more meaningful in terms of clarifying "long lasting". Thanks for clearing that up.
Sounds impressive. Would you qualify this as a coating, or just a dressing? Either way, it sounds like a worthwhile product so far.
 
Sonic Pilot said:
Awesome! That's much more meaningful in terms of clarifying "long lasting". Thanks for clearing that up.
Sounds impressive. Would you qualify this as a coating, or just a dressing? Either way, it sounds like a worthwhile product so far.
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It's neither actually. I'd classify it as a restorer. Definitely not a dressing but not a coating either because it doesn't seal the surface. It's not a dye and it's not a topical. It's just a really phenomenal product that does what it says it will do with zero effort and a minimal amount of product. Seriously, you won't believe how little it takes to do the job. I did the bed cover of a Chevy Avalanche a couple of weeks ago and it had turned almost completely white from fading and sun bleaching. It took maybe 2 oz. to do the entire rear portion of the truck and it looked incredible! I handed the customer his invoice, he already had the cash ready to pay me, and he went back into his wallet and tipped me an extra $50 on top of the $40 tip he included in the original payment!
I've got a couple of pics I'll post tomorrow for you. No other excuse than I'm too tired to go turn on my computer and add them tonight. LOL!
 
Coach Steve said:
It's neither actually. I'd classify it as a restorer. Definitely not a dressing but not a coating either because it doesn't seal the surface. It's not a dye and it's not a topical. It's just a really phenomenal product that does what it says it will do with zero effort and a minimal amount of product. Seriously, you won't believe how little it takes to do the job. I did the bed cover of a Chevy Avalanche a couple of weeks ago and it had turned almost completely white from fading and sun bleaching. It took maybe 2 oz. to do the entire rear portion of the truck and it looked incredible! I handed the customer his invoice, he already had the cash ready to pay me, and he went back into his wallet and tipped me an extra $50 on top of the $40 tip he included in the original payment!
I've got a couple of pics I'll post tomorrow for you. No other excuse than I'm too tired to go turn on my computer and add them tonight. LOL!
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I have Solution Finish on hand, have used it once. It does contain a Dye.
 
I just used McKee's Trim Restorer for the first time this weekend. It's obviously too early to judge longevity yet, but it sure did a great job.

I've read a lot about the Solution product, and it sure sounds terrific as well. I opted for the McKee's based on 1) cost, and 2) the fact that every McKee's product I've tried so far has done what I've asked it to do, so McKee's is my baseline. But as some point, I'll probably spring for Solution.

Good luck on your project.

Mark
 
MarkD51 said:
I have Solution Finish on hand, have used it once. It does contain a Dye.
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In Mike Phillips'review of the product, he includes a post by creator and owner of Solution Finish, Chris West in which he States,

"First of all, Solution Finish is not an ink, dye, or stain – it is solvent-based modified black carbon..."
That post is located here:
Review: Solution Finish Plastic & Vinyl Restorer
 
i've liked the results from wolfgang's trim sealent. it's not a restorer but did a good job on some light fading i had on my explorer and is holding up well and beading well. it's a little messy/slick though.

That solution's stuff looks impressive and I'll keep it in mind as I don't need a product with a dye in it just yet.
 
Third vote for the McKee's.

I've used other products and the McKee's works better on a wider range of plastics, lasts longer, and is easier to apply and clean up than the others. I've also found a little goes a VERY long way, so the bottle should last a DIY'er a very long time.
 
Coach Steve said:
In Mike Phillips'review of the product, he includes a post by creator and owner of Solution Finish, Chris West in which he States,

"First of all, Solution Finish is not an ink, dye, or stain – it is solvent-based modified black carbon..."
That post is located here:
Review: Solution Finish Plastic & Vinyl Restorer
Click to expand...

Yeah, I recall reading that article as well. Not technically called a Dye, something I seem to recall about nano this or that, ancient something or other combined with modern technology.

It is black, and after I coated some vinyl trim with it, and letting it dry overnight, I did notice some nasty black oily feeling transfer onto my hands. Don't know why, perhaps there was the presence of other products still remaining on the trim?

With that said, I'm not so sure I'd want to use it for door handles
 
I really like Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Plus for dressing/restoring trim. I used some yesterday on the wiper arms and roof trim on my son's Accord. The wiper arms took 2 coats, but they look nice. This stuff is thin (old version), lasts a long time, and you use only a very small amount.
 
Carbon black is used as a pigment. I suspect that it is the base material that would determine if the product is an ink, a dye, or a paint. At least that is the case within my industry.
 
mc2hill said:
I really like Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Plus for dressing/restoring trim. I used some yesterday on the wiper arms and roof trim on my son's Accord. The wiper arms took 2 coats, but they look nice. This stuff is thin (old version), lasts a long time, and you use only a very small amount.
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I like Ultimate also. The new version darkens better. Both last very long. On severely faded trim, I will restore with Solution Finish(after cleaning with Mother’s heavy duty trim cleaner) then top off with UTGP when the SF totally dries!
 
Of the ones listed so far I prefer to use McKees Trim Restorer.

It’s easy to use, darkens, and beads water.

Wolfgang is similar with a little less of a darkening effect.

Ultima is a little odd to use but is good.

Solution Finish darkens the most, but is also a little odd to use.
 
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