BMW e46 wing mirror plastic

beer enigma

Apologies i know I've read this somewhere on motors but can't for the life of me find it. The plastics on my wing mirrors (1981 318i) are really faded matt grey - looking for the best product to restore them

Curran

There are plenty of products that will do the job of returning the darkness, but wont last long in wet conditions or after a few washes.

Dont know about you, but for something like that, Id prefer to do it once and not have to worry about it for a long time. There are durable options what will last a year or more. Names like CarPro DLUX or Gtechniq C4 are what you want!

kdevitt

Heres my own -

http://www.bmwhaus.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=4921&pid=66862#pid66862

Curran

How did you prep the surface before applying the C4?

Its not a permanent solution; it should last a year or more, though Im guessing you didnt even get that?

kdevitt

Curran wrote: »

How did you prep the surface before applying the C4?

Its not a permanent solution; it should last a year or more, though Im guessing you didnt even get that?

Used panel wipe or something on it. It was good, just not permanent as you say, and it is ridiculously expensive. It definitely has its benefits - but if something can be sprayed instead, thats my preference now. Similar story on the kidney grilles on the E30.

Curran

Nothing is permanent; semi permanent at best....they should be sold as being ultra durable in comparison to traditional products.

I laugh at same when you hear dealerships offering permanent coatings, etc.

Yes, they are an expensive product, but a little goes a long, long way, and if the economy is compared to other trim products that you'd have to apply far more frequently, it would work out much the same....but the benefit of not having to apply every 3rd or 4th wash.

Though, when you've the time and patience to mask off and prep, etc, and do as good a job as you have, its hard to argue the case for a durable coating.

MetzgerMeister

Curran wrote: »

Its not a permanent solution; it should last a year or more, though Im guessing you didnt even get that?

I applied C4 to my wing mirror plastics when I got the car in September 2012 and to this day they are still perfect without any re-application.

challengemaster

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I applied C4 to my wing mirror plastics when I got the car in September 2012 and to this day they are still perfect without any re-application.

Mine are still fine too, and you did those before you had the e92

MetzgerMeister

challengemaster wrote: »

Mine are still fine too, and you did those before you had the e92

I had the MPS and it was the day before Rammstein