WHAT ARE MEMBERS USING TO PROTECT CAR TRIM.
- Thread starter Bull6791
- Start date
I will throw my hat into this ring on plastic trim protectants/restorers and suggest Griot's Garage Ceramic Trim Restorer.
What is so special about this trim restorer? Nothing, other than it is available over-the-counter at most auto parts stores AND it is easy to apply.
I like the fact is comes in a bigger size bottle of 16 fluid ounces over most car-care product manufacturers 12 fl.oz., BUT is is more expensive as a result of the size.
Now, does it darken faded plastic trim well? Yes, but it may require a second application on badly faded trim and does require "some" elbow grease
How long does it last? That's a loaded question because it is dependent on four factors of the trim:
1) How often is the vehicle washed AND what type of soap is used. Some car wash soaps are more alkaline and will break down the protectant more quickly.
2) Where the trim is located. Say WHAT? Those trim pieces that face the sun constantly will fade rather quickly, like front window cowls or rear hatch bumper trim versus those, say, on the bottom rocker panels.
3) If the car is garaged or sits outside. More sun, more quickly to fading. Also a vehicle driven in Phoenix AZ is more likely to fade its plastic than one driven in, say, Seattle WA. So in my opinion the vehicle's geographic location and climatological environmental are important as well.
4) The age of the vehicle and, hence, its plastic trim AND the vehicle manufacturer's plastic trim quality. Please don't laugh at this, either. Most detailers will recognize and admit that material quality varies between vehicle manufacturers; some good, some no-so-good.
For myself who has a 2015 Ford Taurus, the black trim stays black for about 30-45 days and a "usual"weekly car wash (IE, 4 times) BUT it is garaged-kept and I drive it about 350 miles a month (IE; not much!), so as Aucmmulator will say" Your mileage may vary (YMMV)"
By the way, GG-CTR is very good to use on plastic wheel-well liners. It REALLY darkens them and makes them stand out as a completely detailed vehicle AND has the benefit of making them easier to clean when you wash. Having this trim restorer might be worth buying some just for that besides using whatever other trim restorer you use on regular trim. (You ARE a good Autopian who washes your wheels and wheel-wells during a vehicle wash, right?!)
What is so special about this trim restorer? Nothing, other than it is available over-the-counter at most auto parts stores AND it is easy to apply.
I like the fact is comes in a bigger size bottle of 16 fluid ounces over most car-care product manufacturers 12 fl.oz., BUT is is more expensive as a result of the size.
Now, does it darken faded plastic trim well? Yes, but it may require a second application on badly faded trim and does require "some" elbow grease
How long does it last? That's a loaded question because it is dependent on four factors of the trim:
1) How often is the vehicle washed AND what type of soap is used. Some car wash soaps are more alkaline and will break down the protectant more quickly.
2) Where the trim is located. Say WHAT? Those trim pieces that face the sun constantly will fade rather quickly, like front window cowls or rear hatch bumper trim versus those, say, on the bottom rocker panels.
3) If the car is garaged or sits outside. More sun, more quickly to fading. Also a vehicle driven in Phoenix AZ is more likely to fade its plastic than one driven in, say, Seattle WA. So in my opinion the vehicle's geographic location and climatological environmental are important as well.
4) The age of the vehicle and, hence, its plastic trim AND the vehicle manufacturer's plastic trim quality. Please don't laugh at this, either. Most detailers will recognize and admit that material quality varies between vehicle manufacturers; some good, some no-so-good.
For myself who has a 2015 Ford Taurus, the black trim stays black for about 30-45 days and a "usual"weekly car wash (IE, 4 times) BUT it is garaged-kept and I drive it about 350 miles a month (IE; not much!), so as Aucmmulator will say" Your mileage may vary (YMMV)"
By the way, GG-CTR is very good to use on plastic wheel-well liners. It REALLY darkens them and makes them stand out as a completely detailed vehicle AND has the benefit of making them easier to clean when you wash. Having this trim restorer might be worth buying some just for that besides using whatever other trim restorer you use on regular trim. (You ARE a good Autopian who washes your wheels and wheel-wells during a vehicle wash, right?!)
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Hey Bull just a friendly heads up, all CAPS is generally considered to be the online equivalent to YELLING so unless you want your post to come across that way, you may want to switch to lower case.
As for a recommendation on product to use to protect trim, I like the Ammo NYC Oleo and aforementioned Griot's Garage Ceramic Trim Restorer.
As for a recommendation on product to use to protect trim, I like the Ammo NYC Oleo and aforementioned Griot's Garage Ceramic Trim Restorer.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Wow, an Ammo product gets mentioned. Larry may have been the first "influencer"...I guess after Sal Zaino.
Desertnate
Well-known member
You may want to be careful with applying Klasse AIO to black plastic trim. I applied it to the area around the side view mirrors on a 2010 Mazda3 I owned at the time and it etched the plastic. For the rest of the life of that car, you could see the application strokes I used and the plastic was more faded/chalky than other areas I used. Normal trim restorer products also had no effect in repairing the damage.
Desertnate
Well-known member
To Sal and Larry's credit they at least had/have their own businesses selling actual products rather than most influences who peddle other people's wares or play the parasite and try to get free stuff off people to support their click count.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Maybe "influencer" wasn't really the word I wanted. From what I understand Sal Zaino was a regular at Corvette shows here in the metro-New York area, and developed his own products from his dissatisfaction with what was available. And it feels like Larry was the first YouTuber to do that, but I never watched much on YouTube back then, so I may be wrong. Certainly that enthusiast-to-huckster model is now a tainted one.
wannafbody
wannafbody
Sal might have been the first guy to send small samples to guys to get real world feedback on his products. Sal made solid products that pretty much marketed themselves over the forums back in the early 2000's. A couple weeks ago I used a bottle of Zaino Clear Seal from 2013. The product still worked great and looked good.
I still use a lot of the "old school" products. I still find Zaino AIO to be excellent when a paint correction isn't needed, but a paint cleansing with some protection left behind is. That as a base with weekly washes of an Si02 infused rinseless and the occasional topper of Z8 or something more robust like Cosmic Spritz couldn't be easier and what more could you really need?
hawaiidude
Member
Cerakote Trim wipes are by FAR the best trim products I've used. Long lasting for easily over a year.
Garry Dean's Trim Hydrate (aka Rubber Hydrate) is without question the best protectant for exterior trim 
"Garry Dean's Marine Series Plastic and Rubber Hydrate is a detailing product designed to restore and protect boat trim, rubber, and plastic surfaces.
It darkens faded trim, blocks harmful UV rays to resist sun fade, repels water, and protects against the effects of saltwater and dry rot.
The product features an ultra-concentrated, tough formula containing strong acrylics and a penetrant that soaks into the material to provide long-lasting protection.
It leaves a medium gloss and dries to the touch without slinging.
For best results, the trim should be cleaned and dried with a heavy-duty vessel cleaner before applying two coats of the gel with a foam applicator pad, allowing 10 minutes between coats.
It is recommended to reapply monthly or bi-monthly."
Get U Some
Get you some
"Garry Dean's Marine Series Plastic and Rubber Hydrate is a detailing product designed to restore and protect boat trim, rubber, and plastic surfaces.
It darkens faded trim, blocks harmful UV rays to resist sun fade, repels water, and protects against the effects of saltwater and dry rot.
The product features an ultra-concentrated, tough formula containing strong acrylics and a penetrant that soaks into the material to provide long-lasting protection.
It leaves a medium gloss and dries to the touch without slinging.
For best results, the trim should be cleaned and dried with a heavy-duty vessel cleaner before applying two coats of the gel with a foam applicator pad, allowing 10 minutes between coats.
It is recommended to reapply monthly or bi-monthly."
Get U Some
Get you some