Solution Finish

**Rocket** · 10-10-2012, 10:49 PM

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer 1 oz.

Almost as soon as I saw this product I was curious how well it would actually work. There weren`t many reviews at the time I ordered but after a few weather delays and forgetting I had it in the bin I finally got around to trying this product. The first time I tried it was in July. I attemted to restore the antenna base on my truck. I wasn`t pleased with the results and after a week the base was ashy again. I decided to put it back up and try again on a different part later.

Last Friday I was finally able to spend a little time to do some testing and take some pictures.

This is a rear bumper on a 09 Dodge Ram. The plastic was very ashy and was a real eye sore.

Close Up:

As you can see there was some dirt and I needed to prep the surface for Solution Finish. I decided to us Detailer`s Pro Series Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner

After cleaning and drying with my master blaster:

Application was very simple. I used a foam applicator and applied just a small drop of product and wiped on the plastic. The product appears black and the company says it can stain paint if allowed to dry. I didn`t have any issues with this but I`m sure it is possible. When wiping the plastic I noticed it glided easily and left a nice dark deep finish. The hardest part was getting into the small honeycomb but after some thought I was able to find a way to get into those areas. After a few minutes (probably 3 minutes) I buffed the plastic like the instructions said.

Afters:

Final Thoughts:

I`m glad I gave this product a second chance. The finish left behind is very nice. The plastic feels like it would brand new (no slickness or oily feel). The finish looks nice and dark and not shiny like it would with some dressings. I didn`t have any issues with uneven finish anywhere. I spent less than an hour on this from start to finish.

I think there may be some plastics that may not accept this product as easily (like the antenna base I tried first). It may be that it needed some additional prep or there may have been some film that wasn`t fully removed. I will try to restore the antenna base again and see what happens.

I will follow up later to share my thoughts on durability.

**Old Pirate** · 10-11-2012, 03:59 AM

Rocket, thanks for the review. I have been using it for awhile also and at first had the same problem but after using it I`m impress with it ( last about 2-3 months ) and use it most of the time on many exterior rubber and plastic trim on vehicles.

**BobbyG** · 10-11-2012, 05:39 AM

I too have used this and did a comparative review between Solution Finish and CarPro DLux. I really liked the way Solution Finish darkened the plastic trim giving it a uniform color and new like condition...

Durability is tremendous!

Awesome review and photos!

**TroyScherer** · 10-11-2012, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the review.

One not on the prep: For almost all of these trim product that prep is the key. Many of us have found that an "Acid wash" works the best to prep the surface. For this I use CG WAter Spot remover. I rub it in and let it work and the wash it off with a soap solution to neutralize the action. This really seems to help the bonding process and so far I have gotten much better results with the new trim coatings and the standard trim dressings as well.

**Rocket** · 10-11-2012, 06:16 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Troy. I used APC+ and IPA the first time.

Bobby- l be trying DLux next.

All these new cars seem to have a lot of plastic trim and I`ve noticed some fad faster than others. I was thinking about topping this with OC 2.0 but I haven`t decided yet. 2-3 months doesn`t sound too good if I`m doing it for a customer.

**BobbyG** · 10-11-2012, 06:19 AM

Here`s a link to my review just in case you`re interested....

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...tml#post439143

**Rocket** · 10-11-2012, 08:43 AM

Thanks for posting the link Bobby.

**Todd@RUPES** · 10-11-2012, 09:07 AM

I have used Solution Finish a couple times and I have been very happy with the product. To me the key is allowing it to dwell for 45 seconds or more then buffing off. Very nice, ink like look.

**Pats300zx** · 10-11-2012, 10:44 AM

Great review. I got a sample of this at Detail Fest after talking with Chris from Solution Finish. Chris was a great guy and was willing to answer all my questions. So far I have used it on my Dodge Ram and my boat trim and have been impressed with the results.

**tropicsteve** · 10-11-2012, 10:50 AM

good review rocket. i like the results !

**Rocket** · 10-11-2012, 10:53 AM

I was using a dye on really bad trim like this. The results were good but this was so much quicker and it was easy to get an even coat and finish.

**CT3** · 10-11-2012, 10:55 AM

Thanks for the review. Ill Be interested in hearing about the durability.

**Dr Oldz** · 10-11-2012, 11:38 AM

Great review. I have a Ram and that Honeycomb is a PITA. Vinegar is great for removing that ashy type residue from plastics especially in the groves of those honeycomb type patterns. I have been having great success with SF.

**Wheelzntoys** · 10-11-2012, 01:48 PM

Also would like to know on durability.

Most products go back to same condition pretty quickly.

**Rocket** · 11-20-2012, 06:49 PM

Here`s an update on durability:

Originally done on 10/5/12 and picture below was taken today 11/20/12

While it still looks better than it did originally the darkness is fading. It doesn`t look horrible but it does need to be redone to make it look dark again.

Durability might be affected by how ashy this part started out being. The truck sits outside 24/7 so it gets a beating with the sun and weather.