How to restore black trim moldings?

[mika328i]

Whats the best way to restore the black trim moldings around the car? Mine is faded due to the FL sun. I just replaced the front bumper license piece and the it looks great. To bad all the other ones are old.
thanks

[force34]

probably save money calling up a junkyard and getting the scrap pieces off a wrecked one..or paint them yourself.

[amancuso]

I use meguire's back to black every few months... seems to do the trick.

-Al.

[Spahrman5]

I took all mine off, then spray painted them black. It looks just like I treated them all the time. It also saves time when cleaning the car. I used to wash the car then take 15 minutes to treat all the black plastic. Now after i dry the car, im done.

[bfewkwa]

I took all mine off, then spray painted them black. It looks just like I treated them all the time. It also saves time when cleaning the car. I used to wash the car then take 15 minutes to treat all the black plastic. Now after i dry the car, im done.

Did you use any special paint? Has it chipped? How long you been running with it that way? What was your painting process (sand, primer, sand, paint)?

Sounds like a decent idea?

[Meathead]

There is a special type of paint to use, I have only seen it here at Canadian tire and its called black velvet or something close to that. I used on several VWs and it works great, flexable, doesnt flake off and leaves a nice finish.

[bennyfizzle]

krylon fusion matte black ftw.

[auto3251]

I use meguire's back to black every few months... seems to do the trick.

-Al.

I do that too, but my moldings were never faded to start, so I don't know how much it has help.

[Slick Willi]

forever black....... nuff said

[x2nervisx]

i currently use forever black too.. there was a thread on this stuff and everyone agreed this was the best stuff to restore the molding other than painting it. I'm now considering painting my moldings since I hate applying it every month or so. Im just not sure which paint to use. I'm afraid of it chipping off.. for those that painted it themselves... did you sand the moldings first or what? Did you apply a clear coat as well? What about primer? Thanks

[heifetz17]

I had a similar experience with my shadowlining peeling off. I just stripped the trim and used flat black engine paint (because it's heat treated-direct exposure to sunlight) to repaint the trim. I'm sure the same will work for the moulding.

I also used some of the same paint to paint the front part of the engine that's not covered by the plastic valve cover. It was also chipping. It looks great matched to the black covers.

[nepaE36]

I had the same issue, being that my car spent it's whole life in florida before being transplanted to PA... I had one of those Mr. Clean magic erasers lying around and decided to see what it would do for restoring the moldings. It worked beautifully!!!! It took a little bit of elbow grease, but my 11 year old moldings look fantastic now. I used a bit of water for lubrication, but might work just as well without water.

[BadR1]

Buy new ones at BMW they are like 33 dollars a peice.

[x2nervisx]

a lot more expensive at the dealer if you have m moldings.

[SergeK]

What im planning on doing...Is sanding the moldings down a little high grit sand paper. Spray one coat of black Auto trim paint, Let it dry. Spray another coat, and while its still sticky, add a coat of clear coat. let dry.

ive heard wonderful things.

[Slick Willi]

I had the same issue, being that my car spent it's whole life in florida before being transplanted to PA... I had one of those Mr. Clean magic erasers lying around and decided to see what it would do for restoring the moldings. It worked beautifully!!!! It took a little bit of elbow grease, but my 11 year old moldings look fantastic now. I used a bit of water for lubrication, but might work just as well without water.

those work shit ill try that !

[mntbimmer]

Try this stuff. @automagic.biz/buy-automagic.htm#61A We u it in the detail Bay at the Bimmer Dealership I work at and it lasts pretty long.

[mika328i]

Whats the best way to restore the black trim moldings around the car? Mine is faded due to the FL sun. I just replaced the front bumper license piece and the it looks great. To bad all the other ones are old.
thanks

Today my friend gave me some Mothers Back to Black and it worked great. I am verrrry happy with the results.
How long it lasts???????......we will see.

[328 Power 04]

the best longest lasting one is black shoe polish that comes in a bottle with the sponge applicator .. i've applied it and 8 months later still looks new .. even worked on high heat near the motor... try it .. its cheap too


Check out the sig pics****

pic 1 has it applied .. pic 3 before

[Spahrman5]

Did you use any special paint? Has it chipped? How long you been running with it that way? What was your painting process (sand, primer, sand, paint)?

Sounds like a decent idea?

I just lightly sanded them, cleaned them really well and used black automotive trim spray paint. I chose not to clear coat it because i didnt want the trim shiny. Ive been running like this for the past 6 months, so i cant tell you how it hold up long term. So far so good

[palomino]

last month i pulled off all my moldings, slathered them in meguiar's trim detailer (its a clear goop, not a dye) and let them sit overnight. in the morning, i washed them with dish soap & water, dried them off well, and put them back on.

i wash my car once or twice a week and i havent done anything special to them since. they still look really good.

[325ibmw05]

Permant fix. Just did it and it looks brand new. No cover-up, no paint, no dressing every time you wash it to hide it.

Put this in your tips and tricks book.

Reviving, removing wax buffer burn and oxidization from your cars plastic textured trim.

1. Rub surface with pink pencil eraser (.99 cents for a 2 pack at target)
2. Dust off eraser mess.
3. Spray with a strong degreaser.
4. Wipe/buff with a Magic Eraser and water.

The oxidization/wax is gone. Looks brand new and saved me well over 300 bucks.

[DubNub]

All the "Restore" products do not work long term. Grease, magic erasers, blah blah. Temporary bullshit.

Do the thing right and purchase SEM Trim Black spray paint. This is OEM quality black trim used by body shops to restore plastic components.

I have used this product to response my Hummer h3 plastic a year ago and it looks brand new still. I have used it on my e28 to restore plastic twice (second time because i was in process of painting the car and didn't mask stuff off).

[M3AN]

Did mine with Plasti-Dip 3 years ago now, still looking mint and zero maintenance.

DippedMouldings01.JPG

DippedMouldings05.JPG

Also did the metal strip that runs from the bottom of the A pillar across the top of the windows.

TopWindowmaskSM.jpg

[Moron95M3]

^^I did plastidip just like above. About 4-5 years ago...it's starting to show some wear and will need to be done again soon. Just for reference. (I put 10k on a year)