Trim/Platic Restoration Products

R

RogueM3

New member
Well, In reading this thread I decided it might be best to make a 3 way comparison to help me decide what to buy for my mouldings.



I was hoping those in the know or those who have used 1, 2, or all 3 of the below products could chime in with what they like about each one and which of the 3 they find to be the best.



1) GR-40

2) Black Wow

3) Ultima TTS



I have a bottle of GR-40 to use on my mouldings and while I know it cleans very well, can anyone tell me about what kind of look it leaves behind? Matte or any kind of gloss enhancement or is it just a removal of wax buildup?



In reality, I made this thread as Im wondering if I need to follow the GR-40 up with another product (either #2 or #3) to provide a nice matte look.



Thanks.
 
GR-40 offers no protection that I know of so you will need to follow it with something. I have all of the products that you mentioned and will say that in my experience they all work and work well but it depends on the type of trim and how bad it is. Nothing works on the grill of my Odyssey. BW is a cleaner and protectant but doesn't like rubber. Ultima is well rounded and the newest version even does well on higher profile tires.
 
SpoiledMan said:
GR-40 offers no protection that I know of so you will need to follow it with something. I have all of the products that you mentioned and will say that in my experience they all work and work well but it depends on the type of trim and how bad it is. Nothing works on the grill of my Odyssey. BW is a cleaner and protectant but doesn't like rubber. Ultima is well rounded and the newest version even does well on higher profile tires.
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Thanks for the response.



The primary usage will be on the trim of my E36 M3s...if you are familar with the E36, I am talking about the side, front bumper and rear bumper mouldings.



I had also planned to use it on some additonal plastics on my E36 4dr doors and trim (none of which is rubber that I am aware of).



None of the trim is too bad, and regardless, I plan to use the GR-40 (followed by Vinegar to neutralize the GR-40) first to clean the mouldings and then one of the other two products to shine/enhance the look of the mouldings.



I already own PB Trim Restorer, but feel that its junk. I want something that will provide a classy matte look and wont wash off in the first rain storm/washing.



Thanks again!
 
I'll be interested in the results of this inquiry as I have the same issues on a 97 E39 540i; the belt trim and bumper trim continues to fade regardless of what I use on it. I've tried PB's Trim solution, Mother's Back to Black, Meguiar's tire endurance gel, and can't get the trim dark enough for my tatse. Please let me know what does the best job of getting it dark; then we can see about protecting it to keep it that way.

Thanks, Nick
 
The trim on my 1991 MR2, 12 years a daily driver.



I use Meg's #39 for cleaning and #40 for conditioning the trim. After 17 years the trim still looks like new.



web.jpg
 
jfelbab said:
The trim on my 1991 MR2, 12 years a daily driver.



I use Meg's #39 for cleaning and #40 for conditioning the trim. After 17 years the trim still looks like new.
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That does look awesome. My only worry would be that very little of the trim I am speaking of has that flat/smooth texture to it. Most of what I want to restore is textured moulding.

Jefmcc said:
Here's another thread with some pics of what I did to my window seals:
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Quite the transformation. I have heard good things about the magic eraser (I have a pack among my supplies). Maybe Ill give that a try before the GR-40

MattPersman said:
I have 2 and 3. I would recommend Ultima of the 2 for most vehicles. black WOW being a last resort for really bad trim
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Cool..thanks for the input. So would you say the Ultima has a better look but a less impressive restoration ability than the BW?



My trim isnt terrible...just not the deep black it once was and I know it can be.
 
Klasse AIO makes a good cleaner. If it's smooth trim, you can use it straight. For textured trim, I cut it with water to make it easier to wipe off. I have had the best luck cleaning trim with AIO/H2O and then wiping on Klasse HGSG. It's made for paint, but works great on trim. I actually stopped using it on paint because I prefer Zaino, so the Klasse is only for sealant now. This lasts longer than Black Wow and is easier to use. It does not, however, darken the trim the way Black Wow and other silicone-based treatments can. Stoner Trim Shine is decent, too, if you want the silicone look. Don't use the Magic Eraser on textured trim, it can marr it up. Remember it's a mild abrasive.
 
SpoiledMan said:
I'd go on record with that statement.
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So then, would using my Gr-40 for cleaning and Ultima for protection/looks be a better combo than the BW alone?

wfedwar said:
Klasse AIO makes a good cleaner. If it's smooth trim, you can use it straight. For textured trim, I cut it with water to make it easier to wipe off. I have had the best luck cleaning trim with AIO/H2O and then wiping on Klasse HGSG. It's made for paint, but works great on trim. I actually stopped using it on paint because I prefer Zaino, so the Klasse is only for sealant now. This lasts longer than Black Wow and is easier to use. It does not, however, darken the trim the way Black Wow and other silicone-based treatments can. Stoner Trim Shine is decent, too, if you want the silicone look. Don't use the Magic Eraser on textured trim, it can marr it up. Remember it's a mild abrasive.
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I LOVE AIO (I still have 1.5 bottles of Pre-VOC left :clap: ) In fact, I used it yesterday on my PC with a 4" white pad to clean up the door handles, trunk trim, and door frames. Its great on those as those items are flat plastic. I also taped off a piece of the textured moulding and tried some AIO on that...but it just didnt have the look I desired.
 
I haven't used Black Wow yet but the Ultima TTS is outstanding on textured trim. Looks fantastic and lasts and lasts. If you are going to clean it up with GR40 and/or the Magic Eraser and just need to seal the look, I'm sure the Ultima will not disappoint you. Let us know how it turns out.
 
buzzb said:
I haven't used Black Wow yet but the Ultima TTS is outstanding on textured trim. Looks fantastic and lasts and lasts. If you are going to clean it up with GR40 and/or the Magic Eraser and just need to seal the look, I'm sure the Ultima will not disappoint you. Let us know how it turns out.
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Thanks!



I hadnt checked pricing until just now... Ultima at $40/bottle is a little steep. Saving $16 by going with the BW sounds more appealing. Am I going to regret saving the $$ if I go with the BW?
 
if you just want to buy one, get the Ultima. clean the trim with gr-40 or magic eraser, or both. then top with Ultima.



buy the Paint guard plus if you can swing it too ;)
 
SpoiledMan said:
Look at the price per ounce and you'll feel a LOT better.;)
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You are VERY correct. Ive been doing far less professional detailing as of late, so I wonder how much Ill be using. I guess if Ultima really does look far better, it might be the way to go.

MattPersman said:
if you just want to buy one, get the Ultima. clean the trim with gr-40 or magic eraser, or both. then top with Ultima.
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Thanks! I guess Ill be placing my order, though I dont really want to. :furious: :woot2:
 
i have some older vw's and to be fair the trims are past their best



ive most of the trim restoring products around and they pretty wash off overnight and streak all over the paint



i recently purchased black wow and got a solid month out of it in poor weather...still beaded very well

after a month but the looks had gone, i had some streaks on my paint after the first application, but now apply it before a wash or wipe it over with a wet m/f towel



so while its not the perfect solution for me, i think its a decent product considering my trims are spent



heres a 50/50...it stays like that through a month of rain and frost sitting out 24/7 ..im hoping it might build after a few coats, anyway it should last way better if you garage the car or have better weather



roofspolier001.jpg
 
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