Preserve exterior black plastics - product recommendation?

S

SenojNW

New member
Hi!



Just looking for product recommendations to preserve hard black exterior plastic on my new Subi Forester. The side mirrors, roof rails, door handles, vertical sections of the door surrounds, and the drain section below the windscreen are all a hard black plastic which faded to grey in my last Subi (especially the drain section below the windscreen). They look great new so would like to keep them that way. You can see all the spots I am talking about here:



Subaru Forester X Wagon - Exterior - Subaru Australia



I have Klasse All-In-One and Glaze... would that work?



Ta
 
I would suggest using 303 Aerospace Protectant. There may be some sealants you can use on plastic as well, maybe someone else will chime in. But I'd start with 303.
 
A silicone-based (PDMS) dressing like 303 just isn't going to last unless you can put it on every few weeks. I've had really good luck with AIO/SG on certain plastics, not on others, and you still need to keep up with that. If I had a new vehicle like you, I think I'd try one of the WOWA products, either the dedicated Ultima trim product or Opti-Seal, or the regular Ultima if the price is now comparable to Opti-Seal.
 
Megs has a new trim product coming out that looks promising. AIO+KSG is a pretty popular combo. I have used 303 at every other wash and it works for sure, but applying it 26 times a year is a PITA.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
A silicone-based (PDMS) dressing like 303 just isn't going to last unless you can put it on every few weeks. I've had really good luck with AIO/SG on certain plastics, not on others, and you still need to keep up with that. If I had a new vehicle like you, I think I'd try one of the WOWA products, either the dedicated Ultima trim product or Opti-Seal, or the regular Ultima if the price is now comparable to Opti-Seal.
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+1



the ultima trim & tire guard is amazing stuff, and it lasts fairly long, and really makes the black trim look good.
 
Well, you do have to keep the 303 on, but it works. I had an RX-8 for six years and the trim looked brand new. I usually applied 303 every month or two.



I've never tried a sealant on trim.



Maybe I'll give AIO a try since I have some. I know it's good at cleaning stuff off trim, but didn't know it would provide long-term protection.
 
+1 for the Klasse. The AIO has worked great for cleaning and protecting both the smooth and textured black trim on my Honda Pilot. I've recently started topping that with Sonus Glanz (like diluted KSG), which looks even better and lasts longer.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Sounds like the Klasse products are pretty popular for this so seeing a have a couple of bottles in the garage already I will give it a go and report back. I used Klasse AIO on the silver plastic already and it worked a treat. Have used Collonite permanent wax on the paint already -fortunately the paint was in excellent condition straight from the factory so no need to clay! Yay!
 
Black Wow would be a great product for the Suby with all its black trim, but since the car's new, it may not be necessary as the trim should be in new condition. I'd suggest Optimum Opti-Seal for its ease of use and UV protection at this stage.
 
I would recommend Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Plus. By far this is the best trim protectant product i have tried. Very impressed by it.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
.. I've had really good luck with AIO/SG on certain plastics...
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Yeah, that's worked great for me. Seemed perfect on my Subie's black plastic and it's keeping the plastic/rubber on the MPV like new. Working great on the Yukon's rubber-faced running boards and black plastic "D" pillars too.



I'd employ a W-O-W-O method on such surfaces, and I'm not usually a proponent of that approach.



01GreyStangGT said:
Would Werkstat AIO work the same as Klasse AIO on plastic?
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I haven't tried the Werkstdt, but some AIOs work better/worse for this than others. I'd sure try a test spot if using anything other than the KAIO.
 
303 (PDMS) isn't silicone based. it's a constituent of rubber and plastics. 303 is built around the same ingredient that's in all the trim detailers, only more of it. Preserving new plastics and rubber is exactly what 303 is made for. It will restore them as well with constant feedings to rebuild the surface, but an occasional coat (3 or 4 a year) on new surfaces will keep them looking brand new indefinitely.



I restored the dull faded rubber trim around the side glass on my car to like new (or better than new) condition with 303 and now 3 times a year keeps them looking like new.





I found this on the web and it seems pretty accurate:





THE THREAD to END ALL THREADS about 303



Below find pics & links to rubber/vinyl protectant products similar to the much beloved 303 aerospace protectant. These products conain PDMS resins and some sort of sunscreen (I do no believe sunscreen part but that is my opinion). They are all water based and a white milky like fluid.



Differences will be:



- Amount of PDMS resins which is the good stuff...I feel Zaino has the most....but I have no proof.



- Smells....I like black magic for smell as it is citrus like.....



- Price...Turtle wax is some cheap stuff!!



- Viscocity.....Meguiars consumer product is thick....sometimes it clogs sprayer...great for my Z66 floor mats ...spray it on and let it sit why you do other things...then come back and wipe up....



Application technique varies.....but my advice....



EXTERIOR PLASTIC TRIM...spray or wipe on...let sit about 5-20 mins...and buff dry....the buffing sets PDMS resins.....so it runs less when wet.



TIRES & OTHER RUBBER TRIM....spray or wipe on...let sit 5-20 mins....and buff....this give very low shine....for more shine...after first coat dries..follow up with more coats...the more you apply the shinier it gets...but will only ever get to a satin new rubber look......and always buff the final coat......



INTERIOR PLASTIC/VINYL/LEATHER.....spray or wipe....wipe excess off with dry Micro fiber or other soft towel....after product sits a bit....This stuff will work on GM leather since the leather has a special coating to protect leather...but I do say once or twice a year apply some leather conditioner to seats and let sit so it may soak up any needed oils and stuff...



These products are great on rubber seals...these are door seals, midgate seals, cover seals etc etc etc...



Please note: The product name I list may not be the nor correct so please check the websites and with local vendors......I hope this HELPS everyone make an informed decision. I am also not involved with any company listed below......



303 aerospace protectant
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I bought Mothers Back to Black and it is a phenomenal product. Crisp black not too shiny and lasted for 12 weeks easily.
 
Stay away from Mothers, Klasse would be my first choice, plus you can use it on your new ride as well, Ultima and 303 are good choices as well. I never got any durability out of Black Wow.
 
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