Restore black plastic trim

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 14:50

Hey guys, I would like to restore some faded black plastic trim back to a nice satin black finish, the main parts I would like to do are around the wing mirrors that are quite badly bleached.

What product do you recommend to restore black trim?

Cheers.

rodenal · 20 Mar 2015 at 14:52

It will depend what kind of finish is already on there, but I used a product on my old civic to dye the arch trims etc and it came up really well

will try and find the name of it....

Edit -plasticare. It won't make it look satin black/painted, but keeps it looking the way back to black will on a near permanent basis.

If you want a true painted look then the best thing to use is just plastic primer and satin paint, get some decent nozzles and it'll be fine

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 14:54

rodenal said:
It will depend what kind of finish is already on there, but I used a product on my old civic to dye the arch trims etc and it came up really well

will try and find the name of it....

Thanks for the fast reply. It is mirror trims on an e39 and an e60 if that makes any difference?

Thanks rodenal, that looks like an ideal product. Did you use a sponge to apply it?

rodenal · 20 Mar 2015 at 14:58

I think I might have used a mini (foam) roller actually. You just need to watch it doesn't appear patchy as it dries quickly.

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 15:00

Great stuff, think I will get some ordered and give it a go. Thanks again mate.

dessimpson · 20 Mar 2015 at 16:54

Try heating it up with a paint stripper.
A mechanic I know told me it brings them back to their natural colour. I've not tried it but he was quite insistent.

InvaderGIR · 20 Mar 2015 at 17:00

dessimpson said:
Try heating it up with a paint stripper.
A mechanic I know told me it brings them back to their natural colour. I've not tried it but he was quite insistent.

It does indeed. It basically brings the oils in the plastic to the surface which brings the colour back into it.

You can also rub peanut butter into black plastic trim (and wash it off), for the oil within that. Alternatively, for a rather cleaner way, you can use any nut based oil and 'feed' the plastic.
There are also plastic restorer products which 'feed' the plastic in the same way.

All the above methods (including heat) will fade again over a few weeks though, especially if there is plenty of sun or rain.

Flibster · 20 Mar 2015 at 17:04

I use black boot polish. But I'm strange like that.

JonnyGeee · 20 Mar 2015 at 17:35

Heat gun. This will luring it back to original colour, and will last longer then any tin of back to black spray.

Considerably cheaper, too.

Check you tube video's for evidence.

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 17:39

dessimpson said:
Try heating it up with a paint stripper.
A mechanic I know told me it brings them back to their natural colour. I've not tried it but he was quite insistent.

InvaderGIR said:
It does indeed. It basically brings the oils in the plastic to the surface which brings the colour back into it.

You can also rub peanut butter into black plastic trim (and wash it off), for the oil within that. Alternatively, for a rather cleaner way, you can use any nut based oil and 'feed' the plastic.
There are also plastic restorer products which 'feed' the plastic in the same way.

All the above methods (including heat) will fade again over a few weeks though, especially if there is plenty of sun or rain.

So gently heating with a heat gun will bring the colour back, that is something I have never heard of before! I would be worried with that method though as there is paint in very close proximity, I suppose it could be protected with towels or something or is only a little amount of heat required?

I have heard of the peanut butter trick before but have never tried it.

Flibster said:
I use black boot polish. But I'm strange like that.

Haha, well it is black!

DampDog · 20 Mar 2015 at 17:57

Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer works really well.

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:07

So a lot of options exist then, which is good. Thanks for all the suggestions so far lads.

Skeeter · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:34

Used plasticare on the GFs Mini last weekend. Applied with a foam brush (a little bit goes a loooong way) and I was really pleased with the result.

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:49

The plasticare does look very good as it actually dyes the plastic so should last a long while. I think it is at the top of my list at the moment as it does seem to provide a more permanent solution compared to most other things.

Haze · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:49

best way is to spray them with something like plastikote, or plastic primer then what ever top coat, applying all them gels and polishes are just snake oil, will only last a short time

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:55

Yeah painting would work well I imagine, however my rattle can skills are rusty so I suspect I would make a rather large mess of it unfortunately!

Duke · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:58

I've used the C4 stuff but it's eye watering price and didn't last that much longer than plasticare stuff, so recommend that.

mattyfez · 20 Mar 2015 at 18:59

slick rick said:
Yeah painting would work well I imagine, however my rattle can skills are rusty so I suspect I would make a rather large mess of it unfortunately!

That would be the most permanent solution, a matte black or silk rattle can, remove the part, or mask the surrounding area very well.

The trick with rattle cans is to use a very light 'dusting' and apply many layers with a bit of drying time in between.

You'd need to prep the surface by giving it a light sanding, then a good scrub with a solvent of some kind to remove any muck/grease, then an undercoat of black/grey primer paint.

slick rick · 20 Mar 2015 at 19:10

Duke said:
I've used the C4 stuff but it's eye watering price and didn't last that much longer than plasticare stuff, so recommend that.

The C4 is £22 for 15ml :eek:

I am sure it is worth the money but £15 for the plasticare seems a lot more reasonable.

mattyfez said:
That would be the most permanent solution, a matte black or silk rattle can, remove the part, or mask the surrounding area very well.

The trick with rattle cans is to use a very light 'dusting' and apply many layers with a bit of drying time in between.

You'd need to prep the surface by giving it a light sanding, then a good scrub with a solvent of some kind to remove any muck/grease, then an undercoat of black/grey primer paint.

I have been tempted to paint the wiper arms on the e39 as they are starting to rust around the pivot, your advise will certainly be kept in mind if I do, thanks.

Sagalout · 20 Mar 2015 at 19:32

GT85 works well. Use it on my bike and car