Autogeek.net Car Care Products
** 10% off @ Autogeek.net - PinnacleWax.com & Wolfgangcarcare.com - Coupon Code = clubmember
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: plastic and rubber trim restoration

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1988 325i

    plastic and rubber trim restoration

    Hey I am looking for advice on something to clean up and make my plastic and rubber trim look nice on the exterior of the car. A lot of the black plastic has kind of a cloudy faded look to it.

    I tried nothing and I'm all out of Ideas

    No, I did try "Mothers back to black trim restorer" and it seemed to do ok on the rubber window seals but not so much on the grill and bumpers. Not really impressed with it.

    I'm looking for ideas. What have or would you use?

    anyone out there painting their grills satin black?



    88 325i

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1988 325i
    Quote Originally Posted by Redcon88 View Post
    Hey I am looking for advice on something to clean up and make my plastic and rubber trim look nice on the exterior of the car. A lot of the black plastic has kind of a cloudy faded look to it.

    I tried nothing and I'm all out of Ideas

    No, I did try "Mothers back to black trim restorer" and it seemed to do ok on the rubber window seals but not so much on the grill and bumpers. Not really impressed with it.

    I'm looking for ideas. What have or would you use?

    anyone out there painting their grills satin black?



    88 325i
    hey Guy, you should try Forever Black!

    I heard good and bad things about it though.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sidney, B.C.
    Posts
    1,483
    My Cars
    99 M Coupe
    Water based trim restorers will give you 2 - 3 weeks of performance then fade quickly.
    Allbrite's V6 will give you 4 - 5 weeks,

    Gtechnique's C4 will provide up to 24 months.


    As longevity increases, so does price but no surprise there.

    In your quest for perfection, you could spend a ton of dough on products that just don't last, or you could just opt for the C4 right off the bat and save you tons of time over the next two years.

    Oh, and a hot air gun can bring that faded black trim back to a new look but that extreme heat would be difficult to control, in light of the fact paint/clearcoat is often very close to the trim.

    C4 for the win.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    1988 325i
    Thanks for the insight. I find a lot of the parked posts helpful but outdated with bad links most of the time.
    Maybe I'll try C4 when I get a few extra dollars. Thanks

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Milton, WV
    Posts
    1,286
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 530i Sport
    I've used Restore Black by Bondo with some satisfaction. My packaging is different but i think it's still the same product. It is a black dye so you must be more careful. Look at any first generation Nissan Armada and the rear bumper step will be a faded gray. I've successfully restored mine. Took a couple of applications.

    https://www.autogeek.net/bondo-restore-black.html

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    San Jose
    Posts
    641
    My Cars
    1995 M3 LTW
    I use Aerospace 303 on all my plastic and rubber. It got me a 1st place at Legends of the Autobahn one year.
    IMG_5561.jpg

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Milton, WV
    Posts
    1,286
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 530i Sport
    303 is a great protectant. Not so good for restoration of faded plastic parts.

    Use 303 now and you shouldn't have to restore later.

    Pay me now or pay me later.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    160
    My Cars
    E36 318iC 6mt vert
    Don't laugh but I used Armor-All OUTLAST black trim restorer about a month ago. I wash my car weekly and its been throgh 3 rain showers and it still looks great! I think I paid $10 for it and there's enough to do 10 cars.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    160
    My Cars
    E36 318iC 6mt vert
    Update on the Armor-All...It's been three months, a dozen car washes, almost as many rain showers and it still looks good. I'd say it's about 80% from when I put it on.

    By far the best I have used!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Milton, WV
    Posts
    1,286
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 530i Sport
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Bill View Post
    Update on the Armor-All...It's been three months, a dozen car washes, almost as many rain showers and it still looks good. I'd say it's about 80% from when I put it on.

    By far the best I have used!
    Post some pics. Especially if you have some before pics.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-04-2010, 10:01 AM
  2. Black shoe polish - OK on plastic + rubber trim?
    By Low Level in forum Car Detailing and Show & Shine Prep sponsored by Autogeek.net
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-08-2008, 05:15 PM
  3. PLASTIC/RUBBER trim revitalizer/rejuvenator
    By REDLINEFREESTYL in forum 1995 - 2001 (E38)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-04-2007, 09:33 PM
  4. Smooth plastic trim restoration
    By maxxedout in forum Car Detailing and Show & Shine Prep sponsored by Autogeek.net
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-06-2005, 03:11 PM
  5. rubber trim around bumper
    By Lance325is in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-12-2001, 05:19 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •