Best product for plastic trim on Chevy Avalanche?

Be sure to clean the area well with apc and then wipe down with alcohol. Use the make up applicator pad, just 2 turns of the bottle and wipe on thinly. Within 2 mintues get an old mf towel and lightly wipe the area to even it out. You will need to toss the mf towel as it will crystalize. Step back and admire your new trim that will last about 2 years.
Kean said:
I'll try to post before and after pics along with follow ups. I told my Dad not to apply anything in the meantime so the cleaning/prep will be easier. I plan to do a test area perhaps for a week and then the rest later (trying to get him down to the house).
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....thanks. I've read quite a few threads and watched the various videos before I pulled the trigger. I'll make sure to thoroughly clean the areas prior to application. I appreciate it.
 
Kean said:
....thanks. I've read quite a few threads and watched the various videos before I pulled the trigger. I'll make sure to thoroughly clean the areas prior to application. I appreciate it.
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I used IPA 50/50 with water and a toothbrush style detailing tool to scrub the areas before I applied C4.
 
AeroCleanse said:
I used IPA 50/50 with water and a toothbrush style detailing tool to scrub the areas before I applied C4.
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....I will likely be using one of my APC's first with agitation, then washing and then doing a final wipe down with IPA. There is a lot of oxidation on this trim as well as whatever product(s) my Dad has been using. The panels/surface areas are rather large but I have a few brushes (bigger than ones I might use on smaller trim) that are well suited for this. I want to give the C4 as clean of a surface as I can.
 
fyi.... I received my C4 a couple of days ago and I may have an opportunity to apply it to my Dad's Avalanche this Thursday if I can make it over there. I will let you know how it goes and will be sure to take pictures (for those interested).
 
Please post pictures, you are going to be pleased and you Dad will be floored. Imagine no more trim work for him or you on that Avalanche for at least a year or two.
Kean said:
fyi.... I received my C4 a couple of days ago and I may have an opportunity to apply it to my Dad's Avalanche this Thursday if I can make it over there. I will let you know how it goes and will be sure to take pictures (for those interested).
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Legacy99 said:
Please post pictures, you are going to be pleased and you Dad will be floored. Imagine no more trim work for him or you on that Avalanche for at least a year or two.
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....will do. I hope the product performs as well as some have stated but again, the plastics are in pretty bad shape. If it can at least rejuvenate the finish to the extent where it looks decent (and keep it that way), I will be extremely happy.
 
OK. I had a brief opportunity last Thursday to apply some C4 to a small section of my Dad's Avalanche. I was a little pressed for time so I was only able to do a quick clean up with use some Meguiars APC+ I brought with me, then I rinsed and then did a thorough wipe down with a 50/50 solution of IPA/water. I have a feeling if I worked on the oxidation a little longer with a brush, I could get a better result. Anyhow, I thought I would share the initial result:





BEFORE (after cleaning; storage lid from keyhole forward only):



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AFTER:



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I like that look...it looks natural unlike a dressing or trim restorer. How long do you think it would take you to do all the trim, the three box cover pieces and lower cladding?
 
JPostal said:
I like that look...it looks natural unlike a dressing or trim restorer. How long do you think it would take you to do all the trim, the three box cover pieces and lower cladding?
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This particular model year doesn't have the side cladding (only on the bed).



It's the prep/cleaning that will take the most time. Application of the product is very easy. I guess I'll find out "how long" once I get a chance to really work on it. ....any suggestions on trying to eliminate as much of the oxidation as possible would be appreciated. I found the white residue was easily scraped away with just my finger nail in a couple areas which is why I think the agitation with the right brush may really help (I only had a few MF towels for this small test). If you notice in one of the "after" pictures, there is still some of the oxidation visible through the C4 on top.
 
I scrub with a toothbrush style detailing tool with IPA/Water 50/50 before C4. I found that just wiping wasn't enough for me.



C4 is amazing stuff!
 
AeroCleanse said:
I scrub with a toothbrush style detailing tool with IPA/Water 50/50 before C4. I found that just wiping wasn't enough for me.



C4 is amazing stuff!
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....I have some smaller "tooth brush-like" brushes and some larger ones with similar density of bristles/characteristics that I think would work good for this. Thanks, I'll let you guys know how it goes when I get time to do it.
 
Kean, try using a carpet brush on a PC or Flex with APC it will save lots of time in cleaning! Just pressure wash off when done. Do sections at a time as to not let the APC dry.
 
Kean- Even without any additional work, that looks quite good to me.



I'm following the topic somewhat closely as the rubber strips on the roof of my beater-Tahoe are utterly UV-destroyed (over 10 years out west in hot, dry, sunbaked areas... with zero maintenance). Nothing I tried worked very well, and now I have to watch what I use as I'm *NOT* gonna re-LSP/etc. the roof over it.
 
maxepr1 said:
Kean, try using a carpet brush on a PC or Flex with APC it will save lots of time in cleaning! Just pressure wash off when done. Do sections at a time as to not let the APC dry.
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....thanks. That's precisely the type of larger brush I was referring to. I have a couple of them I think would work great for this. I will be scrubbing and rinsing as I go with DI water (to avoid spotting as well since the job will take a while).





Accumulator said:
Kean- Even without any additional work, that looks quite good to me.



I'm following the topic somewhat closely as the rubber strips on the roof of my beater-Tahoe are utterly UV-destroyed (over 10 years out west in hot, dry, sunbaked areas... with zero maintenance). Nothing I tried worked very well, and now I have to watch what I use as I'm *NOT* gonna re-LSP/etc. the roof over it.
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The first of the "after" shots shows the remaining oxidation on the treated spot I was referring to. I'm just not happy with that but I think I can do better considering I was just using an MF towel to scrub in this small test. I want to get the finish as even as possible before applying the C4. It seems some "patchiness" will show through if I don't.



I will keep you guys posted.
 
Kean said:
.... I'm just not happy with that but I think I can do better considering I was just using an MF towel to scrub in this small test. I want to get the finish as even as possible before applying the C4. It seems some "patchiness" will show through if I don't..
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Sounds like the sort of thing I'd use Hi-Temp Heavy Cut/"357" on; that polish that doesn't cause issues like staining on such surfaces (well, it hasn't so far...famous last words).
 
Accumulator said:
Sounds like the sort of thing I'd use Hi-Temp Heavy Cut/"357" on; that polish that doesn't cause issues like staining on such surfaces (well, it hasn't so far...famous last words).
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Where do you source yours if you don't mind me asking? Any problems with removal on textured surfaces likes this?



As you likely know already, the three horizontal panels covering the bed are removable so if I can coax my Dad in to removing and letting me work on them over a weekend at home, it will make the job go a lot easier.



btw, I know I only got a brief sense of how far this product will stretch but I only used two tips of the bottle on the applicator for that spot and I bet it would have covered that whole lid. I'm guessing 25ml will take care of all the plastic on the Avalanche and maybe (hopefully) have some left over. In either case, $50 is worth it IMO even if the product only last 6 months with no notable deterioration (a 1/4 of the time they state). If it works for this application, its going on my own vehicles as well. ....one less thing to maintain as often.
 
Thanks for the update Kean. Prep it right and you'll be rewarded with C4.
Kean said:
Where do you source yours if you don't mind me asking? Any problems with removal on textured surfaces likes this?



As you likely know already, the three horizontal panels covering the bed are removable so if I can coax my Dad in to removing and letting me work on them over a weekend at home, it will make the job go a lot easier.



btw, I know I only got a brief sense of how far this product will stretch but I only used two tips of the bottle on the applicator for that spot and I bet it would have covered that whole lid. I'm guessing 25ml will take care of all the plastic on the Avalanche and maybe (hopefully) have some left over. In either case, $50 is worth it IMO even if the product only last 6 months with no notable deterioration (a 1/4 of the time they state). If it works for this application, its going on my own vehicles as well. ....one less thing to maintain as often.
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