Restoring Black Plastic Trim

joey54

The black plastic trim on my car has faded, not completely but there is a greyish look to it now(stands out cause the car is black).

How do I restore this? I've heard about using the heat gun but if anybody had any other suggestions I'd appreciate it. e.g any good products.
Cheers,

Joey

niceirishfella

any motor factor will have a can of "back to black" for you..............and apply with a rag.

enjoy !

Mac 3

Try Halfords for Meguiars gold class trim detailer. I used it on my old BMW and it worked a treat. You have to keep applying it every few weeks though, but a great product all the same..

TomMc

http://www.conceptchemicals.com/concept/catalog/index.php?page=product&type=6&subcatid=30 (@Team PR Reilly, Dublin)

http://www.foreverblack.com/products.htm#bumper (online)

Tyre & bumper gels as mentioned will only last a few weeks so better to do the job right than have to keep doing it over and over again. When you have it right then keep it protected every so often with a plastic protectant to stop it from fading again.

joey54

Thanks for that guys. I hate the look of the faded colour!!!

VeVeX

Actually of your going to Pr Reillys there is a concept product which is fairly new called Vista. It was formulated to correct faded plastic. You apply it with an applicator pad and it has to be allowed to cure over night. It is a semi permanent solution much better then Back to black or any trim dress.

bat77

Baby oil

Jrad

I love trim!

joey54

bat77 wrote: »

Baby oil

Does this really bring back the colour? People have told me to use that before but I wasn't too sure on the idea! You used it before?

74merc

Auto-Glym Bumper Black is good for bringing back the colour of faded plastics. Failing that you could prime it with plastic primer then paint it.

cjt156

joey54 wrote: »

Does this really bring back the colour? People have told me to use that before but I wasn't too sure on the idea! You used it before?

Baby oil will work short term; looks fantastic until it rains when it all runs off or until the sun shines when it softens and it all runs off again!

Trim detailer does the same but is (slightly) less temporary. A quick rub with Meguiars Trim Detailer after washing makes all the difference.

kluivert

Why dont you just get it sprayed black.

If you use Back to Black on it a few times and then decide to go and spray the trim, the paint wont stick right. Go to a scrap yard, buy the trim, spray it and then fit it to the car.

anthony4335

A friend of mine had this stuff called silk sheen, and I have tried all the rest and this was the best I have ever seen. Great on plastics, spray it on tyres and it removes tar from paint. I would advise anyone to try it. I think that it is a professional product for car valet .
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Silk-Sheen-For-That-Subtle-Interior-Surface-Finish_W0QQitemZ330210576063QQcmdZViewItem

RoundyMooney

I know a guy who used to use engine oil :eek:

JHMEG

niceirishfella wrote: »

"back to black"

+1

Get it in Tesco for €5.99 for a big can. Use several times.

eamon234

Don't waste your money on Back to Black it doesn't last
Use smooth peanut butter - I'm serious it's a valeter's secret

colm_mcm

I hear back to black is alcohol based

joey54

I'm going to look into the more longer lasting ones. The thought of having to do the ''back to black'' every couple of weeks seems like a pain and I can see myself not keeping it up!

biko

*Stocks up on peanut butter*
Actually will try this one - if it works great, if not - no harm done to car. Will just wash off.

Robbo

colm_mcm wrote: »

I hear back to black is alcohol based

Alcohol, crack and smack based. No way at all to rehabilitate your trim.

kluivert

Black Permanent Marker. :D

I have the same problem, door handles look ok but the side strips are grey now.

Would you consider having the black parts sprayed the same colour as the rest of the car.

CPG

Had same issue on Volvo 850, used a heat gun on it, came back to new colour, not faded since.

Better than peanut butter, olive oil, or baked beans !

gibbon75

VHT Vinyl Dye is the real deal.
It chemically changes the color of the plastic trims,rather than just painting the surface.
It was recommended by lads from California (loads of sunshine fading trims),who restored extremly faded dashboards etc. with this stuff.
Even after a couple of years the dash looked like new (this particular car was a 89 CRX).
I've found only one place in Europe (a german webshop) who had in stock a couple of month ago,and they shipped it to Ireland:

http://www.sf-custom-parts.com/shop/product_info.php?info=p212_VHT-Vinyl-Dye-Black-Satin.html

I had no chance to try it yet on my car,but last weekend I painted the front panel of my computer case.I used only one layer but the result was amazing.The plastic just absorbed the paint.I tried to scratch it with my nails it didn't leave mark like on painted surfaces.
Comes in different colors so you can even change the color of your whole interior if you bored with it

ps:The heatgun trick really works