Best to bring the black trim and wiper cowl back to life?
 

What would be the best solution to brining this stuff back to life? I have seem some wonders with that griots garage stuff. But does anyone have any hands on experience with something that lasts more then a few hours?(IE armor all) I haven't tried anything yet.

Consumer Reports tested 5 exterior car trim cleaners. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...ners/index.htm

I've only tried Mother's Back to Black on my Ford Escape's black trim. Agree with CR, it looks good for a only a few weeks then needs to be reapplied. Like Meguiars Ultimate Black it's mostly silicone oil.

Going to try 303 Aerospace Protectant next. It does not contain any silicone oil.

303 Aerospace Protectant is proven, high quality stuff. Just be sure to read the instructions.

Peanut butter is worth a try

Here's what I use and matches perfect too. It's been about a year and still looks great.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/SEM-39143-Trim-Black-Aerosol/dp/B000EM019O"]Amazon.com: SEM 39143 Trim Black Aerosol - 15 oz.: Automotive[/ame]

Another vote for 303 Aerospace. However, I'm not sure if it will fix already-damaged trim. It's more to prevent the damage from happening in the first place.

Youre correct, 303 won't restore a deep black color (or even factory a factory look). I know cause I tried it. I'd recommend removing the trim piece, cleaning the shit out of it, and then using either vinyl dye, paint + clear (with a bottom coat of plastic primer) or vinyl wrap (PITA).

Adam's VRT. AutoGlym used to make a really nice vinyl/trim product but I haven't seen it around for a long time. 303 is great stuff, too.

Yups, that stuff is good.

Son of a Gun works well, but seems somewhat temporary. Interested in others inputs on the subject tho

Just replace the cowl altogether? For the cost of a few bottles of that cleaner crap that fades, you're nearly to the cost of a new one... and it should stay nice for a couple years, even longer if you keep it clean / out of the sun.

http://parts.bestbuysubaru.com/p/Sub...1419CA010.html

my car is only 2 years old and is usually under a cover. and its still all faded and what not.

:shrug: mine is almost two years old and still looks brand new....? :iono:

This is a good idea.

Mine also faded fast. A new cover seems to be a smart way to go.

My headlights are hazing over but my trim looks half decent still at 4 years old.

I bought 303 but I never used it lol

I used Autoglym "bumper and trim gel" or something like that

I use it on the OEM diffuser, side mirrors, as well as the wiper cowl

Looks fantastic! Makes the diffuser look like real carbon fiber haha, so shiny

Would reccomend the product but its a bit expensive (around $12 i think)

Haven't tried aerospace 303 yet but might give it a shot next

Problem I found is rain really ruins the effect of all the products :(




edit: here's a link to the product. some nice reviews so i guess others agree!
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/AUT-16325-BUMPER-CARE-325/dp/B000MSU28U"]Amazon.com: AUT 16325 BUMPER CARE - 325 ML: Automotive[/ame]

Use forever black. Then back to black after. It will look better than new.

Use forever black followed by back to black and it will look better than new and it will last for about 6-8 months at least.

I'm just going to throw this out there but I had just spray painted the mirror cover on my daily impreza. Sanded it/compounded/polished/waxed. And it looked OK but then I bought a cheap dual action polisher drill attachment and then I went to work on it again with the cover still on the car. I ended up getting polish on the black surrounding trim and it looks better than new now. This was with just Meguiars ultimate polish as found in any wal mart etc.

I ended up using it on the trim around the windows too and was really impressed. I say remove the wiper cowel and give this a shot. I have no idea how long it'll last but it should theoretically be a long time since polishing actually removes the faded layer. Before and after pictures of window trim:

http://i.imgur.com/KSz9wQP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4gACDV5.jpg

I use ammo nyc tire gel. It's a water base and works well with my tires and black trim.

I can recommend Black Wow, https://www.amazon.com/Black-Wow-4oz/dp/B00144FZUG

Black Wow is another silicone oil base restorer like Meguiars and Mothers. Trim will look good for a few weeks and then it will need another application.

I use meguiar's ultimate black plastic restore on the side vent trim, side mirror trim, going to try it on the front bumper next. I usually apply it after every wash.

On a damaged cowl nothing you do will permanently fix it short od replacing the cowl or removing it, cleaning it thoroughly with alcohol then spray painting it black.

I use the Wipe New products Consumers Report rated high for long lasting. They are pricey for a small amount, but you don't have to use it very often. I get it at CVS drug stores in their As Seen on TV isle using the CVS discount coupons from their discount card, so it's fairly cheap to buy.

I just got some 303 Aerospace for Marine / Recreation, so far it's worked great on tires and trim. I don't mind reapplying often since it's water based and safe. Though downsides it lost its shine immediately after rain, it held its uniformity though.

One thing though is that I got the boat version instead of the automotive version. Anybody know if there's a difference?

You might want to read the MSDS on aerospace 303. It definitely is not "safe" if you are referring to your health.

I always use gloves when applying it and wash my hands after.

Although it does work great, I use it on everything interior and exterior.

piano black nail polish

When it comes to detailing what are you guys using to bring out the shine of the trim? I have the STI lip, skirts, rear spats that are in great condition (no fade) however after washing the car they don't have that rich gloss/shine like the rest of the car. Its really noticeable after i detail / shine up the tires. PSA: Meguiar's Endurance Tire Gel works wonders.

Currently i'm using Meguiar’s Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer and i'm not to happy with it. I'm just waiting for it to run out before trying something new

Reading this thread just makes me wanna get some CF vinyl wrap for my cowl lol.

I've definitely thought about it. Later only to back off when I noticed all of the square cutouts that would have to be wrapped around (total PITA). Hydrodipping might be the way to go, but then we're moving into tacky AF territory.

Bringing this one back from the dead for the searchers.

The black trim on the side mirrors fades bad. Mine were all blotchy.

Spray paint em. Seriously. Duplicolor black bumper and trim paint. Just degrease the plastic first.

I’ve used this paint on past cars and it’s seriously awesome. Leaves a nice, satin, non glossy finish. It’s super thin and perfectly maintains the original texture of the part.

Sonax polymer net shield.

I'm currently using eastwood plastic resurfacer on a project. Great results so far

https://www.eastwood.com/ew-plastic-...k-aerosol.html

Just stop using the windshield washer fluid (unless in an emergency)...

That stuff is what causes the windshield plastic trim pieces to fade.

My car is 8 years old and the trim still looks brand new. I never use the windshield washer fluid, I just rinse the car with water if the windshield gets dirty.

my pickup truck has oem black plastic fender flares that have seriously faded into an abysmal grey. are you saying there's someone rubbing windshield wiper fluid on my fender flares when i'm not looking?

All I'm saying is that the alcohol in the washer fluid has a major factor in the discolouration of the plastic; with that said, of course there are also multiple variables that contributes to this (eg. lack of TLC maintenance, parked outside under the UV rays, etc)... We are on the topic of the cowl right?





For your fender flares, it's obviously unlikely the windshield fluid, more likely the sun UV but I'll let you figure that one out.

Not sure if you can get this over in the US but this really brings the black colour out as well as adding some uv protection. Once its dry you can even add some extra sealant with a wax or even better a ceramic coating.
https://www.chemicalguysuk.co.uk/sho...k-shine-16-oz/