PVC trim is a durable and versatile material used in construction and remodeling projects. It is often preferred over wood trim due to its durability, maintenance, and customization. To clean exterior PVC trim, start by rinsing it with water to remove loose debris and then mix a solution of mild detergent and water. Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub the trim gently in a circular motion.
Builder Ben Bogie shares tips for getting tight joints, cutting PVC trim with standard carpentry tools, and keeping the job site clean when installing cellular-PVC trim. For wood trim, use a high-quality exterior caulk to seal all joints, while PVC-specific solvent-based cement can create waterproof bonds between pieces. Properly sealed joints prevent stains.
PVC trim is weatherproof but can be difficult to work with, especially if you’re used to working with wood. It is floppy and will mimic every bump and ripple in the framing, making it difficult to work with. To avoid peeling paint, many homeowners choose to leave their PVC trim in its natural white state. When painting the trim with a light reflective value (LRV) of 57 or above, a high-quality 100 acrylic latex or acrylic blend paint is recommended.
Unpainted PVC gets dirty quickly, so it’s best to use denatured alcohol and acetone to scrub down the area thoroughly. A pink pencil eraser can be used to remove stains, as it’s like a clay bar for plastics. When PVC is painted a dark color, it expands more when in the sun from heat build up, causing joints to separate and/or come loose.
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Does PVC trim discolor?
PVC trim is a durable and cost-effective option for homeowners seeking a high-quality, long-lasting exterior trim. Its superior quality, increased durability, UV- and moisture resistance, insect resistance, flame retardance, no need for painting or staining, low maintenance, affordable visual impact, and unlimited customization make it a top choice for homeowners seeking a cost-effective and visually appealing option.
How do you protect exterior plastic trim?
Regularly applying a protectant or dressing to your vehicle’s exterior plastic, rubber, and vinyl trim can prevent future oxidation and fading. It’s more efficient to apply trim protectant while they’re still new, rather than restoring old and neglected trim. Expert detailers at 3D Car Care recommend using a quality trim dressing to restore the shine of your vehicle’s trim. To restore black plastic trim, wash your car as usual, using a high-quality wash mitt and pH balanced car wash soap. Avoid using heat guns or repainting the trim entirely, as these methods can cause irreversible damage.
How long will PVC trim last outside?
Fully Cellular PVC is a wood trim replacement that mimics the appearance of wood but doesn’t absorb moisture. It can be cut and shaped like wood but doesn’t need to be repainted every four to five years. Wood trim is popular due to its low cost and durability. However, wood absorbs moisture more than wood, leading to irreversible damage. To prevent this, homeowners can choose to cap wood trim with aluminum coil wrap or replace it entirely with cellular PVC. The cost of Fully Cellular PVC is $24-28 per linear foot and has a lifespan of 30-50 years, depending on the manufacturer.
Can you leave PVC trim unpainted?
While PVC trim can be left unpainted, it may exhibit visible signs of dirt or deformation when exposed to direct sunlight. Consequently, it may be regarded as an optional material for certain PVC types, such as extruded cellular PVC.
How do you keep plastic trim from fading?
Solution Finish Over The Top Plastic Sealer is a UV-protective sealant designed to prevent plastic trim from fading and deterioration. It can be used as a standalone treatment on new or good-condition plastics or as a topper on plastics that have been restored with Solution Finish Trim Restorer. This product is a second-to-none addition to the detailing product industry, providing a long-lasting UV protectant for plastic. The comprehensive step-by-step video on how to use both products is available.
What causes PVC to discolor?
The yellowing of PVC pipes is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation, poor thermal stability, and additive degradation. To mitigate the discoloration, the application of shading treatments or the reheating of the material can be employed to restore its transparency.
How to clean PVC outside?
To clean uPVC window frames, mix vinegar and hot water, spray on them, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe down with a clean cloth. To prevent discoloration or damage, wash them with warm soapy water. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove dust and loose dirt. If using a hose, rinse the windows with clean water to remove dirt. Regularly washing with warm soapy water will keep your white uPVC window frames in good condition.
How do you clean exterior plastic trim?
To apply Solution Finish to exterior plastic trim, use a clean foam, microfiber, or cotton applicator pad. The pad will permanently dye the product, so it can be washed and reused. Massage the product over the faded black plastic trim, allowing it to penetrate for 30 to 45 seconds. A painter’s tape strip will be used to show the difference between faded plastic with Zebra Stripes and treated plastic with Solution Finish. After the product has penetrated, remove any excess by wiping the surface with a clean microfiber towel. This process will help to prevent faded plastic from fading and fading over time.
How to clean exterior PVC trim?
To remove grass stains and scuff marks on vinyl and PVC millwork, use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers® or similar cleaning pads. These pads are effective in removing post and column sleeves without marring or scratching the surface. For stubborn stains, use a handheld nylon brush or standard 320 grit sand paper to remove dirt from PVC columns and cut edges of wrap pieces. For more information on deck framing and building, refer to the Deck Framing Guide and use it to build pergolas and porch backyard shade structures for your DIY project.
Do I need to use primer on PVC trim?
Before painting cellular PVC trim, clean it to remove dust, dirt, and foreign material. Use a premium 100 acrylic latex paint with a built-in primer for better finish quality. If required under the paint manufacturer’s warranty, a primer may be required. Paint after installation to avoid repetitive touch-ups and allow installers to proceed with the job before the homeowner decides on color. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions, especially when using a 56 LVR or lower paint. Select a solar reflective coating when using a 56 LVR or lower paint and carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for additional insight on coloring and coating requirements.
Does exterior PVC trim need to be painted?
Milled Cellular PVC is porous and should be painted to seal exposed pores and prevent dirt and grime accumulation. Painting allows for creative expression, uniformity, and expands color options beyond the manufactured PVC white. The choice to paint depends on the type of PVC and desired color for the project. The beauty of painting lies in its ability to provide a uniform look and allows for a variety of colors to be used.
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good job, although i use Bond-it Upvc Restorer myself gives a great shine with a light buff and a lot cheaper, there are lots of cream restorers out there, be sure to check that they don`t contain bleach (many do) they will discolour the Upvc, regarding the green backed scourers a customer checked with me whether i was going to use them as he swore someone prior to me caused very minute scratches on his sills on inspection there were indeed very minute scratches, i obviously have no way of knowing how they got there, and have never used the green backed ones anyway as i have always use the white back scourers, they sell these in most supermarkets next to the green backed ones there described as Non Scratch, always best just to be on the safe side. enjoy perusal your articles tony
I would never use an abrasive pad Jesus. A good soapy wash and then a soft cloth with t-cut will remove any stains and when rubbed off will leave a high gloss protective finish. Then a good car wax will give a long lasting protective gloss finish and will stay clean for a long time. Using an Abrasive pad will remove the protective finish of the UPVC.
I’ve achieved brilliant results with Bond-it PVCu Cream Cleaner, costs £6.40 off Amazon for a 1 litre bottle. Wash and dry area to clean. Apply cream with a paper towel and rub vigorously over any stains, then wipe off with a clean paper towel, then buff up with a microfibre cloth. Like others, I would never use an abrasive – like the scouring side of a sponge.
Ive moved into a place with older windows with the upvc having lots of marks, scuffs and just generally needs a jolly good sprucing up. I know it wont be perfect but its got to be able to look better than it is currently. The one on the wolverhampton site you mentioned says its a hard water stain remover and then in the blurb says its a glass cleaner. Ive looked at that same bottle elsewhere and they all say its is a liquid saying its a glass cleaner whereas it looks like what you are using is a cream. Do they not make it anymore?
Thanks for the article. This method of cleaning is actually quite a good one. But for anyone doing it like this I’d recommend making sure not to press too hard with the scouring pad and use plenty of dish washing soap which cleans and lubricates as you clean. It’s a good idea too to rinse off the soapy water because dish washing soap contains lots of salt. Salt attacks the surface of the plastic making it oxidise and making it go dull very quickly. There are several types of UPVC mix used for windows and doors and some are more affected than others. The early doors and windows oxidise more easily. Later ones are more resistant to this effect. You will all have seen the dull effect on especially white upvc. When you rub it with a damp cloth white colouring actually comes off onto your cloth. That is the oxidisation. I haven’t used the Rubout product but it will no doubt be good at restoring the gloss finish. A nice article producing good results. Thanks.