To successfully clean and protect your car’s exterior plastic trim, follow these steps:
- Wash your car thoroughly with a mild soap and water.
- Clean the trims with an APC or degreaser like CarPro Multi-X with a detailing brush.
- Apply an adhesion promoter to the plastic with gloves on and ensure the cap is tight.
- Spray paint with a matte or satin paint that is rated for outdoor use to prevent UV degradation.
- Protect the trim pieces with a quality rubber, vinyl, and plastic protectant to prevent future UV degradation.
- Use a plastic trim restorer and a microfiber cloth to rejuvenate and protect the plastic and vinyl trim and rubber hoses and seals throughout your car.
If your textured black plastic is heavily weathered or faded, you can bring it back to life by applying a dye and washing the trim and moldings each time you wash your vehicle. If the trim does fade, start using a trim restorer a few times.
To prevent plastic, rubber, and vinyl trim oxidation, use a premium protectant and treat the plastic before it fades. You can also keep a layer of synthetic wax like turtle wax ice on top of the plastic to protect it from the UV.
After the first application, wipe off excess product with a clean towel and allow the plastic to dry for 6 hours. After the first application, your trim will stay black and looking new.
Re-clean and paint the plastic, then apply a dressing. Meguiar’s emphasizes regular maintenance, starting with washing your car as normal and using a medium bristle brush and APC or degreaser to clean the trim.
📹 Back in Black! How to bring those black plastic fenders and black trim pieces back to life
Today I use two different methods showing how to restore black plastic fenders and plastic trim pieces on a Jeep Wrangler.
How do I make my plastic car shiny?
To optimize the lustre of your trim and reduce the frequency of cleaning, it is recommended that you apply a plastic restorer or “trim restorer.” This substance, also known as plastic polish, is less abrasive than polishing compounds designed to smooth out a car’s paint job. Furthermore, it forms a protective layer that shields against ultraviolet radiation, thereby preventing damage.
Does WD-40 restore plastic?
Plastic items, such as outdoor toys, garden ornaments, and kitchenware, can lose their vibrant colors over time. WD-40 Specialist Silicone can help revive their appearance by spraying a small amount onto a cloth and gently rubbing it onto the surface. This technique is particularly effective for items exposed to sunlight as it acts as a light protective layer.
Discarded leather or vinyl furniture can also be revived by using WD-40 Multi-Use Product. First, clean the surface with a mild mixture of soap and water, then apply a small amount of the Original WD-40 Formula on a clean cloth and gently massage it into the material. This conditioning and moisturizing process revitalizes the appearance and prevents further cracking, restoring the rich look of old leather armchairs, handbags, or car interiors.
For outdoor furniture, WD-40 Multi-Use Product can serve as a valuable shield against moisture and sun damage. If painting or staining is done, apply a thin coat of the Original WD-40 Formula to seal and protect the furniture. For metal parts left outdoors for a long time, use WD-40 Specialist Gel Lube, which can offer up to one year of protection. Regular application and maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of outdoor furniture.
How to clean exterior black plastic on car?
Automotive trim can be cleaned using mild soap or protectant, depending on the type of trim. For newer cars, black trim, typically made of plastic, rubber, vinyl, or anodized aluminum, should be checked in the Owner’s Manual. Protectant can maintain the color and quality of plastic trim and rubber, restore faded and discolored parts, and protect them from UV rays. A small brush soaked in protectant can be used to clean faded plastic parts. To avoid overspray, spray the dressing on a rag before applying or consider using gel or wipes. This will help protect the trim from damaging UV rays.
How to protect exterior car plastic?
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 to protect outdoor plastic from UV?
UV absorbers and Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS) are two types of additives used in the plastic additive market. UV absorbers absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, protecting the plastic from degradation caused by UV-B and UV-A wavelengths. HALS, on the other hand, inhibit degradation reactions by scavenging free radicals and interrupting chain reactions that lead to polymer breakdown. They are particularly effective against UV-A radiation and provide long-lasting protection.
The impact of UV stabilizers on the plastic additive market is significant, as they enhance product longevity, especially for outdoor items like automotive components, agricultural films, artificial turf, building materials, and outdoor furniture.
How to keep plastic car 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 restores plastic on cars?
Car restoration involves considering not only the paint, body, and leather of the car but also the plastic. The plastic can fade and look old due to increased sun exposure. There are various plastic restorer products available to restore the faded plastic to a dark, deep black color. Some of the top picks include Cerakote, a ceramic coating that not only restores faded plastic trim but also provides UV protection.
These products are not just dressings for exterior trim but also work together to combat faded car plastic and provide a more attractive look. Some of the top picks include Chemical Guys, Meguiar’s Ultimate Black, Premium plastic restorer, Carfidant Trim and Plastic Restorer, and Lithium Trim Restorer and Protectant.
How do you maintain plastic on a car?
To maintain the appearance of car’s plastic surfaces, it is essential to clean them regularly with a soapy sponge and a microfibre cloth. Different brands of car accessories can enhance grey to a shinny grey or faded grey to black, with some lasting up to a month. These products can be purchased from car accessories stores or chain stores. When applying a product to external plastics, ensure not to get it on paint or glass, as some products can affect these surfaces. Some popular products for restoring and protecting black plastics on cars include 480w, geometry, geometry, geometry, geometry, and geometry.
How do you restore dull plastic?
To restore faded plastic, use sandpaper dipped in soapy water to scrub hard plastic, and spray vinyl plastic with vinegar and water to fix faded areas. For softer plastics, mix detergent, a household cleaner, water, and bleach and spray the area. Hydrogen peroxide can also fix discoloration. Most fading is due to oxidization, which causes plastic to wear down and develop a rougher texture. Bromine, which causes plastic to change color over time, can be reversed with hydrogen peroxide.
Vehicle plastics typically fade due to sun exposure, but can be restored with a rinse and a heat gun. If none of these methods work, paint the plastic if necessary. For hard plastics that haven’t been painted, fill a bucket with soap and water, dip 150-grit sandpaper into the soapy water, and rub the surface in a circular motion. Repeat this process with 220-grit sandpaper, covering every section 5-6 times before rinsing the surface off.
What makes black plastic shiny again?
Heat guns can temporarily restore the natural oils in black plastic, but this is not a long-lasting solution. The plastic may eventually fade with use and may no longer have enough natural oils to draw out through heating. To restore the plastic’s natural luster, rub olive oil or use a heat gun on the faded area. If all else fails, use black spray paint to give the plastic a sleek shine again. Olive oil absorbs best on clean surfaces, so wash the object with soap and warm water before restoring it. A small dab of olive oil can clear up any faded or discolored areas, and more can be added as needed.
How do you fix faded outdoor plastic?
To clean hard plastics without paint, mix soap and water, dip 150-grit sandpaper in the soapy water, and rub the surface in a circular motion. Cover every faded area 5-6 times. Repeat with 220-grit sandpaper, covering every section 5-6 times before rinsing. Oxidized plastic is usually caused by oxidization, which can be removed using various cleaning solutions. Hard plastics like storage bins, cutting boards, acrylic aquariums, and furniture can use this method. If any scratches remain, continue using finer grit sandpaper. For tough plastics, 220-grit sandpaper should be fine enough to remove smaller scuff marks from the 150-grit sandpaper.
📹 Best Plastic Car Trim Restorer? 303 Protect vs Mothers, Turtle Wax, Meguiars, CeraKote
BRANDS TESTED: CeraKote Ceramic Trim Coat, 303 UV Protectant, Mother’s Back to Black, Carfidant, Chemical Guys, Turtle …
That Meguires isn’t very good IMO, try Forever Black it’s a dye and works great and lasts only needs one coat. You’ll have to tape off anywhere you don’t want it like paint.Also wearing gloves is highly recommended. While that heat method looks like it works I think you’re prematurely aging the plastic material and giving zero UV protection which is what causes the black to discolor in the first place.
at dollar tree and 99 cent store they sell a dollar pump spray for your car it is an interior restorer or something I’ve bought two so far Spray it on faded black plastic let it sit a couple minutes wipe it off it’s amazing It also makes foggy head lights see thru again Discovered that by mistake words great only $1
You can use the heat and bring back the black, but it won’t last. Been there, done that. What you can do is paint them. Use a two-part polyurethane paint because it will flex enough and not crack. And think of this… you never have to do anything but wash it. It will always look perfect! I’ve done this for years with nothing but excellent results.
Hey, I think the torch was the best way to go, the heat brings the oils in the plastic out and it is pretty permanent Vs the other, you will have to redo it a lot to keep it that way. And don’t worry about the trolls and the negative comments, we all get em lol. P.S. I looked for the next article you said you were gonna do later on, I see you didn’t make anymore showing how they looked months down the road, which is looking best today? 👋🤠
i used the meguiars ultimate black plastic restorer spray. I put it on in february, the 10oz spray can was enough to do both my jeeps and they still look glossy, but not to glossy black. I did put it on during the last part of our raining season and then all summer. I also only did only one coat on both vehicles.
It’s not a long term fix, done it, does not last bro, better idea is how bout store jeep in garage out of sun when u can, and keep it clean, use the proper products on ur trim in more frequent washes. Ppl who don’t take care of there stuff this is why that happens. I wouldn’t try this method most ppl don’t have the patience.
The torch works by pulling the oils in the plastic to the surface abd it does work… …howver you are also actively damaging the plastic by this method, making them more brittle and failure prone. It won’t last and will fade quicker. It is an old used car sales trick. Oils/treatments will help replenish the surface, but it is a regular maintenance task has to be done.
How did the ceracote last long term? Time moves on and new products developer maybe it’s time for a retest. I used me guiers hybrid ceramic polish on my bumpers with great results. Prrety sure it’s not rated for it but does seem to do a fairly good job on my old toyota plastics looks almost new again and it’s been a few months. Also did a nice deep shine on the paint for the little effort it takes to apply and buff up ( wipe us a better description) even made the dull windows rubbers look a lot better not new but did make me revisit this old post.
Todd, If you decide to revisit the plastic restore, I recommend testing the Rust-oleum Wipe New. I am testing a couple of these on my small website right now and it’s absolutely fabulous, it seems at least as good as Cerakote if not a little better. I am putting it head to head with an off brand ceramic restorer and it’s no comparison!
Great comparison. I don’t know if you’ve ever tested tire dressings. If not, that would be great to see. I can never find one that makes my tires look like the way the car dealerships get theirs to look. And they never reveal what product they use; they always avoid answering that question. I’d love to knwo the answer; it almost looks like paint. But whatever they use, it makes the tires look fabulous.
I personally have had good results with Car Guys Plastic Restorer. I second the request for next time to include more high-end pro detailer products from Car Guys, Gtechniq, Gyeon, Carapro, etc. because while they are less readily known or available, they actually are pretty accessible via Amazon or Car Supplies Warehouse, and pro detailers hawk them on Youtube but you don’t really know if it’s because there is some unstated financial sponsorship happening. We can rely on Project Farm to set the record straight!
I came across this article too late.. i used ‘car guys plastic restorer’ 3 months ago on the original fog light bezels on my 99 cobra and it has worked great. I know it’s only been a few months but it hasn’t faded. when I was researching to pick which one to go with I remember a lot of the cons were that a lot of these faded or washed away pretty quick. Only time will tell. I subscribed to your website about a month ago after perusal your floor jack comparison article and Ive liked every article of yours I’ve seen 👍 keep it up!
Best way but takes a long time is use a heat gun on low and work it over the black plastic and it makes the oils resurface in the plastic that was there when new but soaks deep into the plastic. It surfaces and looks new again and will stay that way if you use a good UV conditioner on it. Also to remove the haze and yellowish look on plastic headlights spray that insect spray Repel 40% strength and spray iit and let it soak then wipe clean with a Terri cloth towel or micro rag. Repeat until the lenses is totally clear. Use on rear lights and side marker plastic lenses.
AT 205 plasticizer doesn’t activate until at very high temperatures (~180 deg), which is why it’s recommended for use in components that get that hot. People who recommend just spraying the stuff on rubber and plastic parts without exposing them to high temperatures are just wasting their money as the plasticizer also evaporates very quickly in open air without being activated.
I bought some Solution finish trim restore last year and it has blown everything else I have ever tried out of the water! I wish you could give it a try on one of your tests. I love your comparisons, I have never seen anyone try any harder to keep the playing field even and see who comes out the Winner~!
I’m not sure how exactly you could develop a article like this, but I think it would be interesting to see how consistent companies are across a wide range of products. For example do they have some flagship products that perform very well and others that do not. Obviously a lot of time can be saved if you find a reputable brand that has consistent performance across a range of products. As always thanks for the great content!
throw the 303 in the garbage – it’s a water-based dressing (not a “trim restorer”) and it will wash off the FIRST TIME IT RAINS. (if no rain, it’ll last 6 weeks). source: I have a 5 gallon tub of the stuff. I only use it in engine bays. I don’t even use it on dashboards since it comes with a cancer warning label.
If you own a BMW – you need to know, all that plastic under the hood has an expiration date! And sadly there is very little you can do to change it. The stuff is designed to self-destruct after maybe as little as a decade. I am not mentioning this because I want to make people feel bad, I mention because they have the right to know this, and just about any car made after 2010 has this problem. The only questions I’d really have are, how long does this car have before X component cracks or breaks? And, how expensive is the part and how easy is it, to change the plastic part in question?!
I love your website, but on this subject of restoring plastic trim, I’ve found NONE of your test products provide satisfactory results. I’ve been detailing cars for 30 years and second only to glass is finding what works on plastic trim! While dressing trim is something needed after any good car wash, I decided to try a tire dressing. That’s right, tire dressing! Meguiers tire gel works best! My Xterra has a grey trim all around and looks fabulous! I apply it once a month and the trim looks like new! Just my thoughts. Your articles are great!