Trim restorers.. what works what doesn`t ? recommend me one

[2000firebird]

I was going through some pictures and I had realized just how badly my hood cowl trim was..(under the shiny blue tools) it has a very greyish look compared to the deep black paint and it kind of sticks out pretty badly now that I think about it. I`ve been reading poorboy`s was a good one for example, but alot of complains of "it washes off in the rain" so I`m just not sure if it`s going to help me. Is a dye the only way to go? How do those hold up?

oh feel free to make fun of how dirty my engine bay is too but that`s almost a lost cause

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/100_2331.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/100_2097.jpg

[Legacy]

Try looking into Solutions.
I was going through some pictures and I had realized just how badly my hood cowl trim was..(under the shiny blue tools) it has a very greyish look compared to the deep black paint and it kind of sticks out pretty badly now that I think about it. I`ve been reading poorboy`s was a good one for example, but alot of complains of "it washes off in the rain" so I`m just not sure if it`s going to help me. Is a dye the only way to go? How do those hold up?

oh feel free to make fun of how dirty my engine bay is too but that`s almost a lost cause

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/100_2331.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a74/00firebird/100_2097.jpg

[Accumulator]

2000firebird- The cowl piece in my Crown Vic is about that bad...I`m not gonna do it right until after all the mechanical stuff gets done, but *some* day when I don`t have other stuff to priorize I`ll use the ValuGard ETR (Exterior Trim Restoration) kit. Very, very good stuff, and so far it seems Accumulator-proof.



Eh, pull it off and do it right with that stuff and I`m pretty confident you`ll be happy. And yeah, it`ll last, just don`t abuse/neglect it too badly.



And hey, that engine comparment is *NOT* a lost cause by a country mile!! I start with stuff that`s a lot worse than that most every time I buy a used vehicle. And I do mean a *LOT* worse, like... looking like rusty stuff spraypainted black (the black being due to all the grime). It took me a lot of hours just to get the Tahoe looking as nice as yours is now, and these days it`s looking really swell. Just keep at it, think "incremental progress"; don`t try to get it Autopian all at once.

[DM101]

What is solutions???




Try looking into Solutions.

[Ron Ketcham]

Go to Valugard.net and the "training video" section to see the method used to apply the ETR.

There are also Manufacturer`s Technical Service Bulletins on the site regarding the product and it`s use by car manufacturers to do a "permanent" warranty repair for discolored plastic trim.

Grumpy

[Legacy]

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, trim restorer, black plastic restorer (http://www.autogeek.net/solution-finish-restorer.html)




What is solutions???

[2000firebird]

2000firebird- The cowl piece in my Crown Vic is about that bad...I`m not gonna do it right until after all the mechanical stuff gets done, but *some* day when I don`t have other stuff to priorize I`ll use the ValuGard ETR (Exterior Trim Restoration) kit. Very, very good stuff, and so far it seems Accumulator-proof.



Eh, pull it off and do it right with that stuff and I`m pretty confident you`ll be happy. And yeah, it`ll last, just don`t abuse/neglect it too badly.



And hey, that engine comparment is *NOT* a lost cause by a country mile!! I start with stuff that`s a lot worse than that most every time I buy a used vehicle. And I do mean a *LOT* worse, like... looking like rusty stuff spraypainted black (the black being due to all the grime). It took me a lot of hours just to get the Tahoe looking as nice as yours is now, and these days it`s looking really swell. Just keep at it, think "incremental progress"; don`t try to get it Autopian all at once.



i`ll check it out. i guess it`s not as bad as it could be. my shock towers seem to be the worst, caked in.. something. and there is some rust already cracking (at the very border of the picture you can see it). i`ll save a new thread and ask here, should I use an anti-rust spray paint on it? I`m sure it wouldn`t match but i`m not sure which is worse. leaving it untreated or spraypainting it. Don`t want to end up with the same problem you`re describing either.

[cptzippy]

I`ve tried the rust spray and it works ok for surface rust. Still think if I had the energy I`d go back to taking it back to metal and primining it etc. Are you sure how deep the rust goes?

[Ron Ketcham]

He`ll know when he sands or grinds the rust deposits off.

That`s when the real decision of what path to take is known.

Grumpy

[FordFan2009]

Just used HD poxy on faded ford black plastic textured trim last night with amazing results. It looks brand new again. Has a nice deep satin finish and is dry to the touch, cant wait to see how it holds up.

[cptzippy]

Just used HD poxy on faded ford black plastic textured trim last night with amazing results. It looks brand new again. Has a nice deep satin finish and is dry to the touch, cant wait to see how it holds up.



Seeing this and remembering Leadfootluke`s (IIRC) trim test, it seams that just plain old sealants may be the way to go these days. But it makes me wonder - if they are really discolored - why would a sealant work? Sorry to hijack but might provide an answer I just don`t understand why with my little brain.

[2000firebird]

so solutions is $30 for 1 oz and i`m not sure if that`s any different than the shoe polish equivalent products. meanwhile I can`t find anybody distributors selling the valugard but Im reading it`s around $90 or something. blehh






I`ve tried the rust spray and it works ok for surface rust. Still think if I had the energy I`d go back to taking it back to metal and primining it etc. Are you sure how deep the rust goes?

see http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/140449-repairing-rusted-areas.html

[cptzippy]

for trim have you seen this thread:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing-product-discussion/137802-product-testing-trim-adams-optimum-collinite-blackwow.html

[2000firebird]

very interesting i use 845 all the time.. i`ll go try it right now

this duragloss seems to have alot of good reviews too.

Duragloss Rubber & Flat Black Dressing (RBD) #271 (http://www.autogeek.net/duruflbldrr2.html)





this guy seems to really like black again

Test for Joe.P - Page 3 - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/3794-test-joe-p-3.html#post56701)

[2000firebird]

came out pretty good!

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/140464-collinite-845-exterior-trim.html#post1493624