Protecting roof rails and trim on new car

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Isewake

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We got a new Forester a few months back. What should I protect the roof rails with? 303 Aerospace Protectant or Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus or a sealant (Reload)? It seems like it is smooth hard black plastic. Also the black trim is not faded yet, any difference between using 303 or Ultima? Is it the UV rays that causes the trim to fade? 303 claims UV protection of 40 SPF. I don't know how much UV Ultima has or is the SPF thing just a marketing thing?
 
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant gets my vote with Blackfire a close second.
 
new, hard plastic? clean well with alkaline APC to remove any existing crap and then coat with opti-seal or even better, gloss-coat. if you go with opti-seal, redo it every couple months to make sure it is sealed. too easy!

no need for a dedicated trim sealant on that stuff imo.
 
The Guz said:
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant gets my vote with Blackfire a close second.
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:iagree:

WG lasted 4 solid months on the plastic trim on my new Rogue and it's been raining almost everyday since mid May.
 
I was hoping to use something I already had. Thanks
 
Isewake said:
We got a new Forester a few months back. What should I protect the roof rails with? 303 Aerospace Protectant or Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus or a sealant (Reload)? It seems like it is smooth hard black plastic. Also the black trim is not faded yet, any difference between using 303 or Ultima? Is it the UV rays that causes the trim to fade? 303 claims UV protection of 40 SPF. I don't know how much UV Ultima has or is the SPF thing just a marketing thing?
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Since you have Reload I would just wipe that over the plastic when doing the car. As long as the plastic isn't faded it works well on smooth plastic. It's nice to keep it simple with just the one product.

If you really want something different on the new trim the UTTG is good on plastic. It will restore the 'black' to trim.

UTTG will last much longer than 303.
 
I use 303. It works very well for me. I've also had great long lasting results wit Wolfgang Deep Gloss a Liquid Seal.
 
If one were to use this wolfgang trim product could I then top it with my normal wax/sealant?

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You can use the PNS too works well use it on the terrain


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I'll probably use Reload on it since I'll be using it to do the roof anyways. Plan on using Reload for the head and tail light plastics and alloy wheels too. Not sure what to use on the rubber strip that runs the length of the roof under the rails. Probably 303 or UTTG. When I run out of Reload, then I'll consider the Wolfgangs.

Thanks
 
Look into Car Pro's Dlux for plastic trim, wheels and headlights.
 
Rsurfer said:
Look into Car Pro's Dlux for plastic trim, wheels and headlights.
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There was a time I would have agreed with you on this. But, on a brand new car - I wouldn't recommend DLux. The reason is, I've found after using it for 2+ years - that it fades off trim unevenly.

Also, it's almost impossible to completely remove it from trim uniformly once it has cures. I've also noticed that after long periods of time (>\ 1 year), it can look oxidized (or actually be oxidized?) on horizontal surfaces.

Once it's starts looking less than what you are happy with - the only solution I've found that lasts is apply more Dlux. But, for whatever reason - subsequent coats do no seem to last as long as the initial one.

This phenomena is quite easy for me to see on matte black trim - but maybe not so easy on paint. It makes me wonder if paint coatings may start to oxidize or wear unevenly around the one year mark - leaving them not looking as good as they did initially half way through their lifespan. Of course at this point, manufacturers offer various coating toppers that are supposed to "rejuvenate" (mask?) the initial coating.

On a brand new car, I would use something like Wolfgang or Ultima trim sealant.
 
I'm trying to stay away from any type of coating. Especially if they're hard to remove.
 
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