Trim/Plastic Restorers - 4 different products

SeaJay's

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As many of you know I have an Avalanche with no cladding. But it has all the plastics on the back of the truck. I've been looking for some products to treat the plastics to give them some color back but at the same time protect them from further damage. Oh and won't run! Main problem with the others I've tried.

I've tried a few things Adams VRT, 303 Aerospace, and a few others that I can't remember right now.

So, I picked up 4 more that I wanted to try. One of which was a sample from Rich Goldstein at RaggTopp (thanks!). I decided to do a 4 way comparison on one of my panels. I am testing the following products

RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant
Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Black Wow
Ultima Tire & Trim Guard


I will watch these over the next few weeks to see how they hold up. We are due for some rain tonight over night, so that will be a good start.

Weather:
Overcast, about 50 degrees

This is what I started with
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I taped off for section on the back, ensuring I got the tailgate cap to see if any of the run.
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First product up was the Black Wow.
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Smell: Watermelons

Price: $16 for 2oz


Directions say to use small sesame seed size drop and rub into the material.
I used a foam applicator pad and applied in the first section
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It took me 2 small drops to do this whole section. The plastics really seemed to soak it up.
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Overall opinion: The smell was nice and it was the best smelling out of all 4. It was also the best at darkening the plastics but the hardest to apply. It wasn't hard to apply just seems to take longer to get it to blend. Another con would be the price for such a small bottle. A little does go a long way though.

Next up was the RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant
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Smell: This may sound funny but it almost smells like wasabi? I don't know why it reminds me of that..the chemical type smell kind of stings I guess. Not bad and it's not really strong.

Price: $16.99 for 16oz.

Directions say to Spray on and wipe dry. Since I was working in a small section and it was some what windy I didn't want to spray it right onto the panel and have it go all over the others. So I sprayed some onto a MF and applied it.

Here is what I was left with.
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Overall Opinion: Was easy to apply, it's VOC compliant which is nice, and it contains no silicone so it says it won't run. It doesn't darken the plastics a whole lot but did some. It says on the bottle to reapply every 3-5 weeks. Which means more applications. Price is $16.99 for 16oz.

Next was the Poorboy's Trim Restorer
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Smell: Not much of a scent at all. Slight scent but can't place it.

Price: $14.99 for 16oz

Directions say to apply to areas and let stand for as long as possible then to buff with a clean cotton cloth.

I applied with a foam applicator: Didn't take a pic of this since it's a clear liquid an it soaks into the pad. I let it sit for 20 minutes then buffed.

Here is what I was left with
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Overall Opinion: It didn't have much of a smell which is fine, I do enjoy a nice tropical smelling product though. Just adds to the pleasure of using it I guess. It darkened the plastics some, not as much as the Black Wow, but more than the RaggTopp. It was also easy to apply. I don't like how you have to buff it, since the other products are wipe on and your done.

Finally was the Ultima Tire & Trim Guard
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Smell: It smelled almost just like WD-40 or paint thinner. Very strong chemical smell

Price: $31.99 for 12oz

Directions say to apply with a foam applicator (supplied with the purchase of it).

What I was left with:
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Overall Opinion: It darkened the plastics initially pretty good, once it dried it was probably the same as the poorboy's. The smell is pretty strong, but doesn't bother me. Since everyone here seems to really love this stuff I wanted to see it's durability. It's been mentioned by several members that it lasts longer than any other product and it makes maintenance washes easier. I'm very excited to see how this stuff works over time. However, for the price I would expect it to last!

Here are some side by sides of each product and the final pics after I took the tape off.
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From Top to bottom the products are Black wow, RaggTopp, Poorboy's, and Ultima
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Reverse for this one...Top is Ultima
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Right now I like the Black Wow darkening abilities. However the Poorboy's and RaggTopp both beat Black Wow and UTTG in price. But with all the hype around Ultima, I'm really thinking I might like it better (at least I hope after spending $32 on it!).

I personally don't like how Black Wow is harder to blend that the others. I also don't like how Poorboys you have to buff off.

I will monitor these over the next few weeks and update this thread.

Thanks for reading!
 
The Ultima looks to be more uniform in the coverage than the others. I'm interested in your follow-up.
 
Excellent test and writeup! A week or more from now or after the first rain you will be liking the Ultima a whole lot. And months down the line even more so. Once that comes in to play the Ultima is much cheaper than other products. Time and product saved. One thing I should say is I haven't tried all the products you have here so I look forward to the updates but I am pretty sure of the long term results.
 
Excellent test and writeup! A week or more from now or after the first rain you will be liking the Ultima a whole lot. And months down the line even more so. Once that comes in to play the Ultima is much cheaper than other products. Time and product saved. One thing I should say is I haven't tried all the products you have here so I look forward to the updates but I am pretty sure of the long term results.

I have a feeling your going to be right. If this product stands up to the test of time it will most definitely be my go to product!
 
Great review. Great shots too, can get a good visual on coverage, and color.

I also am leaning toward Ultima. Looks to have great coverage. I would much rather have a product with great coverage and less darkness then vice-versa.

$32 is steep though!
 
Nice review. I have used 3 of the 4. The UTTG is special. However if you just have one vehicle or so to maintain, PB's is very nice even if it does not last as long as UTTG.
 
add some water ... let us know which runs most. Great review !
 
Great write up, keep us posted I tried back to black and it lasted a week maybe. Granted there was some rain but still. Tried a few from CG and run lines suck.

I think this will help decide what I get to be done!
 
Awesome test! :props:

I've used 3 out of the 4 and like and not 100% fond of any of them.

Black Wow: Nice darkening effect, PITA to apply.
PB TR: Very easy to apply, pretty good darkening ability, durability is sub-par.
Ultima: Very easy to apply, excellent durabilty, doesn't darken enough.

Still in search of a dressing that's easy to apply, darkens nicely, and has excellent durability.

I have CarPro PERL on the way that I'm anxious to try!
 
Nice test, but none of those products are going to correct the problem. They only help by doing a temporary fix. The best way to do it is by recoloring the cladding. GM actually has a TSB on this issue and was doing the refinishing a short while ago under warranty. My brother in law had it done on his Avalance which had full cladding and it's still looking brand new.
 
Nice work SeaJay! :props:

Curious to see how they stand the test of time and with rain on the way it may be over soon.
 
Outstanding write up...The pics was awesome...Keep us updated...
 
Jason,

Great review, photos, and documentation! :props:

I like you want to use a great product that performs well without breaking the bank.

I didn't care for Black Wow and haven't tried Ragg Topp.

Poorboy's World Trim Restorer

Even though Poorboy's World Trim Restorer requires more frequent reapplication I still like the way it leaves the plastic. I generally work the product into the plastic with a foam applicator which leaves a even satin luster.

Ultima Tire & Trim Guard

I have it but yet to try it. I do like quality products, you're going to find this sort of funny, but I don't like products that last a long, long time. :dunno:

I'm sure that Ultima Tire & Trim Guard doesn't fall into the new "apply once and forget it" products on the scene today but I will give it a try....after all, I did buy it and in fact I think I bought two...:laughing: Great review Jason! :dblthumb2:
 
Great write-up Jay! :props: This is almost as good as a CEEDOG review lol :dblthumb2: But, I think your crazy about the smell of Poorboy's World Trim Restorer, haha. It has an excellent smell of coconut! Mine seemed to smell pretty strong, IMO. Maybe yours is different or they changed the formula? :dunno:
 
But, I think your crazy about the smell of Poorboy's World Trim Restorer, haha. It has an excellent smell of coconut! Mine seemed to smell pretty strong, IMO. Maybe yours is different or they changed the formula?:dunno:
I thought the SAME thing, how could he not distinguish a smell from PBTR?! Is has a very strong coconut/pina colada smell. Maybe they did change the scent?
 
I thought the SAME thing, how could he not distinguish a smell from PBTR?! Is has a very strong coconut/pina colada smell. Maybe they did change the scent?
I thought it was quite odd. I liked PBTR before even using it, just because of the smell! haha
 
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