restoring plastic trim

[Domas]

Some of my plastic trim is faded and is very light grey, instead of black. Are there any ways to restore the color? (the trim dressings help but only for a few days..). Can the trim be polished somehow to remove the layer of "dead" plastic?

I've also heard of this trick: you heat the trim with heat gun, apply the sealant, heat again, let it cool and then wipe the residue. - Anyone has experience with this technique? Can the trim be damaged if not done right?

 

[Flashtime]

Can you post some pics?

 

[Domas]

Looks like this. (when with dressing looks like on the right side of the photo, but after about a week it almost comes back to the left side).

I've read about the heating gun rejuvenation, but I suspect some special dressings should be used in the process, or the regular dressing will do?

 

[Flashtime]

Any dressing is only going to be temporary. But i've painted a few with SEM Trim Black (part# 39143 20oz aerosol).

Seems to last for years.



SEM Products - Catalog

 

[Domas]

I don't want to paint anything, I'd rather re-dress it often..



I found this on YouTube, seems interesting, but I'm not so brave to try it...:

Using a heat gun to restore automotive plastics



Well, for this time I will try the "heat>apply>heat>cool" trick, I've read about it in one UK detailing forum, the detailer wrote this keeps the dressing for a longer time. Here's that thread (look in the "Exterior Trims" post):

Bora Project completed - The full story (lots of pics and text)

 

[Flashtime]

If it's very worn and depending on the trim piece (like that moulding)

SEM Trim black is the way to go, after sanding down to remove deteriorated

coating. That piece is likely coated aluminum (rubber?).



But for raw/bare plastics, i'd rather dress them up too. I'm trying out the Black Wow...



Great links!

 

[Legacy]

If it's very worn and depending on the trim piece (like that moulding)

SEM Trim black is the way to go, after sanding down to remove deteriorated

coating. That piece is likely coated aluminum.



But for raw/bare plastics, i'd rather dress them up too. I'm trying out the Black Wow...



Great links!

+1 on Black WOW:bigups

 

[MusicMan]

Anyone tired Mothers Back to Black? I just tried it a cpl days ago and it worked pretty good but i obviously can not yet speak on how LONG it lasts...

 

[Domas]

If it's very worn and depending on the trim piece (like that moulding)

SEM Trim black is the way to go, after sanding down to remove deteriorated

coating. That piece is likely coated aluminum (rubber?).



But for raw/bare plastics, i'd rather dress them up too. I'm trying out the Black Wow...



Great links!

It's probably least worn on the car, it's on the roof, here:

Yes, it is a raw/bare plastic (not covered by rubber or anything).

I've heard Black Wow gives great results, it's a pitty no store in my country carries this product... Are there any good/effective trim restorers from Meguiar's, Einszett, Sonax range?



The best working thing so far was TurtleWax "Black in a Flash", but it's durability is not so good...

 

[Flashtime]

Mothers Back to Black is just so so. The Black Wow really seems to absorb well.

As for durability, it better be good for $25 bucks (4.0 fluid ounces). It's silicone

based, so be sure to not get it on rubber.

 

[HBR]

+2 on Black Wow , worth the money.