How to restore heavily oxidized black plastic trim?

[billg71]

I`m trying to get an old `02 4Runner into shape to sell it and the black plastic trim (rear bumper, step rails, cowl cover and especially the gaskets between the silver fender flares and the body) is pretty much washed to medium grey or lighter.

I have a bottle of Gtechnic C4 coming but is there anything I can do before application to improve results?

TIA for your feedback,
Bill

[William_Wallace]

Well you probably need a dye product or ceramic based restorer. This video test 30 trim products and may help you pick and avoid underperforming and over promising products. https://youtu.be/2NFA_uyQOlU

[The Guz]

If the trim is in need of restoration then give it a good cleaning and look into solution finish. Then you can use C4. C4 may not not restore if it is as bad as you describe. Photos help.

[wannafbody]

Mothers Back To Black is a decent short term solution.

[PA DETAILER]

BEFORE you apply any product...

https://www.autopia-carcare.com/mothers-trim-cleaner.html#.X1OyGOeSnIU

[Accumulator]

On the Tahoe, I used a compound that`s black-trim-friendly (the old TOL "357"), followed by Griot`s Rubber Prep (yeah, on hard plastics), then KAIO/KSG. On the Crown Vic and the `93 Audi I just used the Rubber Prep and then went over it with Ultima`s Tire and Trim Guard Plus. Both approaches took the trim from gray/grayish-white to rich black.

BUT that won`t always work, and then you have to go with the other sugggestions. What is it that Ron Ketcham likes so much?!? It`s slipped my mind, but I`d go with that. It was one of those products that sounds like Snake Oil, but Ketch isn`t wrong about stuff like that. Was it the Solution Finish that the Guz suggested? Could be...but I just don`t recall.

BillG91- Welcome to Autopia! Hope you get that trim looking good again.

[Rsurfer]

BEFORE you apply any product...

https://www.autopia-carcare.com/mothers-trim-cleaner.html#.X1OyGOeSnIU
Best trim prep on the market.

[billg71]

BEFORE you apply any product...

https://www.autopia-carcare.com/mothers-trim-cleaner.html#.X1OyGOeSnIU

Thanks, picked up a kit at the local parts store today!

[billg71]

Here are some photos, worst area is the back bumper:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37419&stc=1

The step rails are in pretty bad shape, too:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37420&stc=1

And the cowl as well:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37421&stc=1

I watched the video linked by William_Wallace, it looks like the Solution Finish product is probably as good as any and it`s dye based. Is anyone familiar with the product? And would one ounce be enough or go for the 12-ounce bottle?

Thanks to everyone for your help!

Best,
Bill

[Sizzle Chest]

Clean it very well. Trim restorer of your choice (solution finish comes highly recommended), wait till it cures, coat it. Done! `New` looking trim!

[Ron Ketcham]

Solution Finish is the answer, it is NOT a "dressing" that washes or rain removes.
To obtain maximum lasting finish of aprox two years, apply a couple of coats of Wipe New when dry.
Tested this for four years, on numerous surfaces, it works.

[Accumulator]

...To obtain maximum lasting finish of aprox two years, apply a couple of coats of Wipe New when dry.
Tested this for four years, on numerous surfaces, it works.
Ah, yeah...that`s it. Thanks for posting that Ketch.

And (note to self..) it sure sounds like everybody agrees on the Solution Finish too.

[bcgreen]

I am a little late to the showing, but correct me if I get this wrong. The procedure for a lasting finish and not just a couple of washes is to apply SF and follow that up with 2 apps. of Wipe New .

[Lonnie]

Ron K:
So you are telling me that Wipe New, a seen-on-TV, available over-the-counter for about $14.00 US (at Walmart and most big-box stores) trim product , made by Rust-Oleum is a "coating" to be applied over the top of a dried Solution Finish Trim Restorer (the black-dye formula) and a 2-coat application will last 4-years?
Who would have thunk?!
I have always wondered about Wipe New as a bonafide trim product, but coming from an expert in car-care detailing products gives it a lot of credibility. Most as-seen-TV products are just too-go-to-be-true and are a disappointment when tried. Just wondering if other Autopians have tried this product by itself WITHOUT using Solution Finish first and what the results were (are).

Did not ValuGard have a trim product, Exterior Trim Repair (ETR) kit that produces outstanding results?? See thread:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/car-detailing-product-discussion/174851-trouble-trim-restoration.html

[Accumulator]

Lonnie- those were my thoughts as well :D

And "hmmm...yeah, [scratches head].." regarding choosing between this approach and the ETR kit (which I`ve only used once).