Mother's Back To Black not working

cjv998

New member
My '92 Accord has a lot of black trim, and I used Mother's Back to Black on it back in March or April. Anyway, now my trim is "back to stained, faded, and dull". I admittedly haven't maintained it too well lately, but still, I expected more permanent results than that. I made sure to work the product in to the trim, and let it sit on there for a while before I wiped it clean. I also followed up with some trim protectant (I think it was STP, but don't quote me on that...it's just what I had available at the time). After I was done, the trim did seem quite a bit better-looking, but now it's back to how it was before I used the product. I'd rather not purchase a new product, since I plan on selling the Accord in the next year, and upgrading to something with less trim (I really want an '05-06 Arctic Blue Pearl RSX Type-S, but that's a whole 'nother topic). So I guess my question is: should I be expecting better results than I got with the product, or are my results pretty typical for Back to Black? Maybe I just need to go over the trim a few more times with it?
 
Hello from a former Rolla guy!



97-newer Jeep Wranglers have issues with the flares fading. I used to own one and I used Back to Black on it. I had to reapply it every 3 months or so. I think the results you are seeing is normal, but I will be interested to see other's responses.
 
When I tested Back to black on my Volvo's faded trim I was unimpressed to say the least with this product.. Awful....I threw it out..What I found to work great on faded trim is black liquid shoe polish from the drug store...Works like a charm and only about 3 bucks for a bottle
 
I've never used it to maintain good looking trim, but bought it trying to do a little restoration on some older trim that was a little faded and starting to turn brown. I think they should rename it 'Back to Black until it dries'. Because it did nothing to bring the trim back. On the trim that was in decent shape, it looked okay, but no better than any other dressing, and sure didn't last any longer..



Does the shoe polish wash away after a while (run down the paint and streak?), or is it a semi-permanent solution?
 
I've tried Back to Black and wasn't impressed by it either. It seemed to run when it got wet and just didn't seem to last long.



I've been using Megs Natural Shine for some time and it worked out better than Back to Black for me. I haven't gotten around to trying other products, but for me it has performed well. Only complaint is that it drips out of the bottle easily, but I could just have a bum bottle :nixweiss
 
Shoe polish last quite a while for me, usually a year sometimes 2 years. When I apply I just make sure the trim is squeeky clean so I get a good bond and keep a towel handy in case it drips. I just use the foam applicator at the top of the bottle and go around the car. I have no streaking issues, just make sure you do it in shade. Works better than anything I have tried, been using it for years.
 
I have a few recommendations.



303 aerospace protectant.

Black Wow.

Hi-Temps Bumper and Molding Renew



I would def by some GR-40 from top of the line.com. One of the best trim/molding cleaner; and then apply your protectant/dressing.
 
From March or April to the end of September is a lot to ask of any product.



My experience with Back-to-Black has been generally excellent. It does have its limits, and it can't bring back dead trim.



Results can vary quite a bit depending on the finish. Some of the black body side mouldings on a '92 Accord are rubber and some are painted -- so they will react differently to the product; and some can be so far neglected that you effectively have to dye them. (My sister has a '92 and I know your challenges.)



Back-to-Black does tend to require a light buffing after you let it penetrate so that it doesn't run in the rain -- don't apply it too thickly; or if you do, buff it lightly and it shouldn't run.



And, like most products, it's not an apply-once cure-all. Heed the directions which say to use it regularly (more regularly than every 6-7 months).



You wax your car more often than every 6-7 months, right? Apply Back-to-Black before every waxing and you should be fine.
 
Jim D. said:
Some of the black body side mouldings on a '92 Accord are rubber and some are painted -- so they will react differently to the product; and some can be so far neglected that you effectively have to dye them. (My sister has a '92 and I know your challenges.)



Back-to-Black does tend to require a light buffing after you let it penetrate so that it doesn't run in the rain -- don't apply it too thickly; or if you do, buff it lightly and it shouldn't run.



And, like most products, it's not an apply-once cure-all. Heed the directions which say to use it regularly (more regularly than every 6-7 months).



You wax your car more often than every 6-7 months, right? Apply Back-to-Black before every waxing and you should be fine.



About the moldings...tell me about it. Just off the top of my head, I can think of three or four different types of materials the various black trim pieces on my car are made of (front lip, 2-3 types of side moldings, strips on the roof...). I have to say, the rubbery moldings on the doors get me the most. :angry



Anyway, that's a good point you make about trim maintenance being something I tend to neglect. Also, I never looked at it from that angle: Back to Black probably should be used about as regularly as waxing. I guess it's just that when a product is marketed as a "trim restorer", my mind automatically assumes it's an automatic one-step fix, even though it may not be.
 
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