Plastic Restoration 101 with Solution Finish - Do it yourself - Save Time - Save Money!

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Plastic Restoration 101 with Solution Finish - Do it yourself - Save Time - Save Money!

At my 3-day Competition Ready Detailing Classes I cover a lot of topics and one of them is how to correctly restore faded plastic trim. The key is to clean the plastic really well first and then treat the plastic with the proper products and after restoring the trim periodically maintain the trim to maintain its appearance value.

My good friend Chris West sent me some information to share how his product, Solution Finish works to restore the color to faded, oxidized plastic trim.

Hello Mike, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support with Solution Finish and I am honored that you would include it in your workshop.

Here are a few tips and tricks, along with some technical information that maybe your students would find interesting.

First of all, Solution Finish is not an ink, dye, or stain – it is solvent-based modified black carbon.

Solution Finish does 3 very important things that are different than your typical plastic dressing:

1) Because it's solvent-based, it actually dissolves the existing oxidation on the plastic part.

2) It puts the black carbon back into the microscopic pores of the part being treated.

3) It contains antioxidants and light stabilizers that prevent the UV radiation from further oxidizing the trim.

What I’ve done is milled the carbon 7 times, making it as small as a virus – so with our modified and penetrating oil, it is able to draw the black carbon deep into the pores of the plastic.

In silicone-based products, the molecules are too “fat” (as we call it) to do anything other than coat the surface – a Band-Aid, if you will.

Pure plastic does not oxidize – it's the impurities and additives in the plastic that actually break down and cause the oxidation process to start.

When silicone starts breaking down and gasses off, it creates a hydro-peroxide gas which actually accelerates the oxidation process. Once that happens, it doesn't stop unless you prevent the gasses from forming; Solution Finish does just that.

Regarding the Avalanche you’re going to be detailing, it's interesting to note that the truck has 6 different manufacturers of plastics to on the vehicle. The running boards, quarter panels, bed cover, cab extensions, bumper covers and tailgate cap are all made by different companies.

Therefore, they all are susceptible to deterioration in different ways. But, as you will see, Solution Finish brings the black back and keeps it there.

Now if you look at the various sections of plastic cladding in the pictures, just like Chris stated, the plastic comes from 6 different companies and some components fade differently than other components. Just want to point this out as it's very apparent in the pictures and shows that Chris really knows his business.

Sean and Chelsea removing the hard plastic tonneau cover...

Demonstration: How to apply and work in Solution Finish

Using a black wheel and tire microfiber towel to wipe off any excess.

Removing the painter's tape....

Boom! There it is...

Hands on training and real-world experience restoring plastic trim with Solution Finish.

And here are the results.....

Here's what the owner said when he picked her up....

Truck looks amazing!


Get Solution Finish and restore the plastic trim on your car, truck or suv today!


At Autogeek.com

Solution Finish Super Size Exterior Trim Kit


Restore faded moldings and trim with precision!

The Solution Finish Precision Trim Kit is designed to restore those narrow pieces of trim around the windows and wipers. The included finger pocket enables you to apply Solution Finish neatly to any small area. Restore the black color and sheen to faded plastic, rubber, and vinyl with this easy, three-step kit.

The Solution Finish Precision Trim Kit includes:

12 oz. Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer
Solution Finish is ideal for restoring, conditioning and protecting any originally black surfaces. 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. It is silicone-free and VOC compliant.

4 oz. Denatured Alcohol
Clean the desired area with alcohol to remove all dirt and oils. Foreign substances can inhibit Solution Finish's ability to bond evenly to the surface. Prepare the surface first by wiping it with an alcohol-moistened microfiber pad.

2 Latex Gloves
Keep your hands clean while applying Solution Finish. These gloves are one size fits all.

2 Microfiber Applicators
These soft applicators are perfect for applying Solution Finish to running boards, bumpers, and other wider trim pieces. Reserve one to buff off excess Solution Finish after application. Wash in microfiber detergent and reuse.

Microfiber Towel, 16 x 16 inches
Use this microfiber towel to clean the desired area with alcohol before applying Solution Finish. The towel is made of durable, absorbent microfiber with more than 100 fibers per square inch. Wash in microfiber detergent and reuse.

Foam Finger Pocket
Use this finger pocket to apply Solution Finish to the wiper cowl, narrow trim, and the black edging around car windows.

 

[David Hayward]

I really like what i see in pictures and initial appearance with this product. I think you did the Avalanche quite some time ago, how is this holding up? With proper care what are we looking at for longevity? Clients always like to ask the how long will said product last so I will need some type of answer while promoting a restoration product.

 

[Riff]

I see "black" plastic is emphasized. Do they make another product for other colors?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I really like what i see in pictures and initial appearance with this product. I think you did the Avalanche quite some time ago, how is this holding up?

Sometimes I see my customers again and sometimes I don't. I'll look up this guys number and see if he still has the truck.

With proper care what are we looking at for longevity?

Well nothing lasts forever. Not even the plastic from the factory on the truck thus the reason we treated it and everyone has to treat it or drive around an ugly plastic trimmed vehicle.

Clients always like to ask the how long will said product last so I will need some type of answer while promoting a restoration product.

The one thing I do with the people that let me use their plastic trimmed vehicles for my classes is I do my best to educate them on why their plastic turns ugly, how we fixed it and how they can keep it looking like the day they picked their car up from us. I also include one of the bottles of Solution Finish and couple of applicators so they can re-apply on a regular schedule.

Nothing lasts forever not even you or I.

The plastic trim that car manufacturers use doesn't last forever and nothing you pour out of a bottle and wipe-on is going to last forever. It all comes down to regular maintenance. Like the quote I made famous in the detailing world.

"Find something you like and use it often"


Last Tuesday night at Lew's Crew Car Show I met a guy that showed me the ugly, faded plastic trim on his Honda Element. He told me he tried Marble Oil and it looked good for a day and then faded back to ugly. He asked me if there was a product that would restore the trim and keep it that way? He meant, is there a product that can be applied that will then last forever. I read him like a book. I told him I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there was no miracle products for ugly plastic trim. I explained nothing lasts for ever, not even you and I. I told him the plastic trim on his car didn't last (look good) and nothing he poured out of a bottle was going to last forever. I then told him about Solution Finish and shared that it does a great job but it starts with a super good cleaning of the trim first, to remove things like Marble Oil and then regular application as part of a lifetime maintenance program for ugly plastic trim.

He didn't like the answer.

What's funny is about a half hour later he told me he attended Detail Fest and learned from the Mother's booth how to remove oxidation and restore a brilliant shine to his aluminum mag wheels on his Mustang. He said that by HAND it would take him about an HOUR to do one wheel. Then he said, now that I've restored the shine it only takes me about a hour to do all 4 wheels. It was that moment the light bulb when on inside his head and the meaning of the quote made sense,

"Find something you like and us it often"

That plus doing regular maintenance makes car detailing fast and easy. He still didn't want to mess with the plastic trim on his car. I told him my solution was to not buy cars with ugly plastic trim. He laughed.


I guess the point I'm trying to make is that for you or anyone reading this thread into the future is that exterior plastic trim needs regular maintenance. The fix for the problem starts with education. We, that's you and I David, we educate ourselves via this discussion plus it's our vocation to know and understand materials, coatings and products, (something I referenced to AG in the first episode of Competition Ready when talking about the car's clearcoat and nickel finishes), and then we need to education our customer on what is possible and what the reality is for materials like exterior plastic trim.


Solution Finish is not a dressing that coats over and restores a refreshed appearance temporarily. It's carbon black, the same component that was used to make the trim black in the first place. It's not permanent either but in my opinion it's as good or even better option than a dressing depending upon your point of view.

How long the results will last of course will be affected but how the car is as I always say, "touched". By the word "touched" I mean how the car is washed for the most part and where it's stored 24 hours out of each day. If it's washed by hand carefully then Solution Finish and any other dressing will last longer than if it's run through any type of aggressive mechanical wash system. If it's stored inside a garage when not in use instead of stored outside 24 x 7 then it's going to last longer than cars that never see the inside of a garage.

No matter what thought, Solution Finish is not a one-time set it and forget it product as these simply don't exist.

In all my detailing classes the first thing I teach is to evaluate the customer, not the car. I get a lot deeper than those few words but that's for my classes. Big picture is this, evaluate your customer, explain the reality of exterior plastic trim. If you don't think you an make him happy, maybe turn down the work and as I like to say, let someone else have the blessing. There's some people you can never make happy, let alone satisfy.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

A great product from a great guy!

 

[timsatx]

What about cleaning and then applying Solution Finish to bring back the look but then maintain it with a product like WETS?

 

[richy]

What about cleaning and then applying Solution Finish to bring back the look but then maintain it with a product like WETS?

WETS does OK, but DLux is better to ensure the longest lasting protection. Check out the Avalanche I did using both. IMHO, SF does a great job at restoring the trim but doesn't last as long as I'd like whereas DLux lasts a long time but doesn't darken like I'd like it to. Therefore, combined, they make an awesome 1-2 punch!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/100227-2007-avalanche-keyed-twice-faded-trim.html

 

[David Hayward]

Perfect response for me Mike. Yes I know nothing is forever but how you refer to it as not a dressing is basically what I needed. Most products I have tried look great for a tiny bit but don't last similar to the oem plastic.

I'm looking for a solution to faded trim that might be able to just go 6 months or maybe even a full year pending how soon my clients will return.

Is there a recommended quick wipe on dressing for uv protection to go over top of this to keep the color as it is? Something like the black fire all in one trim and tire? Something I can keep a gallon of to give samples to take home for continued maintenance.

Unfortunately the people with faded trim want it fixed but if they let it fade once there is a good chance even with proper knowledge that they will let it fade again after solution finish.

 

[David Hayward]

Also did order up a 12oz bottle so we will see how it goes.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Unfortunately the people with faded trim want it fixed but if they let it fade once there is a good chance even with proper knowledge that they will let it fade again after solution finish.

That is the problem. And... there's no real easy fix...

 

[57BORNTORUN]

Solution Finish for me dealing with 50 + year old cars has had multiple uses.Batteries, hoses, vinyl windlace , arm rest bases, brittle rubber seals that are not available aftermarket to name a few.

 

[timsatx]

WETS does OK, but DLux is better to ensure the longest lasting protection. Check out the Avalanche I did using both. IMHO, SF does a great job at restoring the trim but doesn't last as long as I'd like whereas DLux lasts a long time but doesn't darken like I'd like it to. Therefore, combined, they make an awesome 1-2 punch!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/100227-2007-avalanche-keyed-twice-faded-trim.html

So how long would you wait before applying Dlux?

 

[richy]

So how long would you wait before applying Dlux?

Chris West advised to wipe it down twice (once after doing a panel or two and then at the end after the wait period) and use DLux after 4 hours.