2004 Ford F150 Trim....all of it....need help

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djstretch

New member
the trim around the windows isn't really fading but doesn't look good, what can i use for it that will last longer than 1 rain storm.
the bed rails are faded badly and the vents at the base of windshield are too.
i have used different products and all seem to wash off and streak after one rain.
any suggestions??
thanks
 
I detailed an 04 F-150 yesterday that had the same issue and for some reason Trim Restorer had no effect on the bed rails what so ever. I quoted the job over a week ago and applied TR to the bed rails then and was very surprised when I went back to detail the truck and saw no improvement at all. This is the first vehicle out of over 100 that TR did nothing to help to restore the trim. Now it did a great job on the rubber trim and side mirrors etc. but didn't touch the bed rails. The bed rails were and still are faded to a white looking mess. If TR didn't fix it I have my doubts that anything will.
 
tuscarora dave said:
I detailed an 04 F-150 yesterday that had the same issue and for some reason Trim Restorer had no effect on the bed rails what so ever. I quoted the job over a week ago and applied TR to the bed rails then and was very surprised when I went back to detail the truck and saw no improvement at all. This is the first vehicle out of over 100 that TR did nothing to help to restore the trim. Now it did a great job on the rubber trim and side mirrors etc. but didn't touch the bed rails. The bed rails were and still are faded to a white looking mess. If TR didn't fix it I have my doubts that anything will.
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I'll bet Forever Black gel could fix it, since it actually re-dyes the trim pieces with new black pigment.

Or you could just go with the old shoe polish trick, but that is only temporary.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I'll bet Forever Black gel could fix it, since it actually re-dyes the trim pieces with new black pigment.

Or you could just go with the old shoe polish trick, but that is only temporary.
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Or he could just buy a cap for it. lol Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I'll suggest it if he has me back in the spring.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
I'll bet Forever Black gel could fix it, since it actually re-dyes the trim pieces with new black pigment.

Or you could just go with the old shoe polish trick, but that is only temporary.
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hard plastics can't be re-dyed ... the color is injected into the plastic during manufacturing ... if the plastic will not accept any type of dressing or treatment, chances are they are too far gone. I'd go with Dave's suggestion of getting a cap or if it really bothers you and you plan on keeping the truck for a few more years, then order some new plastic :)
 
Poorboy said:
hard plastics can't be re-dyed ... the color is injected into the plastic during manufacturing ... if the plastic will not accept any type of dressing or treatment, chances are they are too far gone. I'd go with Dave's suggestion of getting a cap or if it really bothers you and you plan on keeping the truck for a few more years, then order some new plastic :)
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All I know is that I've used FB on faded hard plastics that Trim Restorer wouldn't touch before and the treatment lasted for years; whether it actually re-dyed the material or just left a really durable coating on top of it I can't say.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
All I know is that I've used FB on faded hard plastics that Trim Restorer wouldn't touch before and the treatment lasted for years; whether it actually re-dyed the material or just left a really durable coating on top of it I can't say.
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i'd say you probably did a great job and it is a coating :rockon
 
Try Restore-Black too. I've had success with it treating the plastics on H2's and you oughta know how those fade to crap. The lower valance on my truck came like a dark charcoal color and I used this stuff 6 months ago and it is still black with a light gloss. I'll get a pic up for you of my bumper and a comparison

It sounds just like the Forever Black gel spoken of above.
 
Alright see attached. Photo on left is not mine. Some guy I guess was considering painting his chrome so he played around with the image in Paint but the lower portion of his bumper is the original color of my truck. Compare to my bumper now, mine is black with a slight shine. I used Restore Black for this
 

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DJsDetails said:
Alright see attached. Photo on left is not mine. Some guy I guess was considering painting his chrome so he played around with the image in Paint but the lower portion of his bumper is the original color of my truck. Compare to my bumper now, mine is black with a slight shine. I used Restore Black for this
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Is the Restore Black you're talking about a Bondo-branded product?

I've had some of that in the past as well, and it's virtually identical to Forever Black -- it could very well even be the same product in different packaging for all I know.

Bumper looks good!
 
Thank you sir and yes it is the bondo brand. It was a little streaky at first but once you use it a couple times you get the hang of it.

Some of the black will get on the surrounding surfaces but thats expected while trying to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Like on mine, some black got on the chrome part but all you have to do is within a few minutes of applying, go back with pledge or something to wipe off the chrome or paint. Use a terry or cotton towel instead of a MF for this; just makes it a little easier. 2 applications of that stuff and it comes out looking like mine.
 
Interesting Im gonna have to try it on my truck. Faded grey door protectrs and my other truck is just faded plastic all around.
 
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