Restoring fading black exterior plastic trim (1 Viewer)

Feb 4, 2010
2,329
1,590
Mid. Glamorgan, S. Wales
Funster No
10,168
MH
Motorhutch / Toy Camper
Exp
Since 2010
So...the Doblo appears to be showing early signs of the affliction well known to Fiat cars designed before a certain time.....plasticus trimus fade-icus.

I've seen lots of old Unos, Pandas, Tipos, etc. with grey bumpers that used to be black. Now it looks like the central part of my mirror housings (the bit that gets colour-coordinated on posher Doblos) is fading....and I'm not sure whether the bumpers are starting to go too :Sad:

Anyone got any recommendation on how to fix this? I can remember buying some spray stuff years go ("Back To Black"?) for my old Citroen AX but it wasn't very good. I'm pretty sure I've seen recommendations for applying peanut butter as well :Eeek:

Anyone with a success story?
 

Janine

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
14,284
42,882
A little bit left of Middle England
Funster No
142
MH
2006 A/S Nuevo
Exp
since 1988
I got some Mer Bumper & External Vinyl Cleaning Gel at one of the shows a while back.

You need to keep putting it on but it's quite good. :Smile:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

talaris

Free Member
Aug 17, 2012
89
26
Cornwall
Funster No
22,447
MH
A Class Dethleffs
Exp
since 2011
Auto Glym bumper restorer. Good stuff but once faded you need to keep on top of it though.
 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,796
21,441
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
Not tried this but I did read about using the inside of a banana skin and also Peanut butter !! Smooth of course not crunchy. :ROFLMAO:

I am being serious.. !!!:Eeek:
 

Deckard

Free Member
Mar 26, 2013
513
469
Lancashire
Funster No
25,251
MH
...looking
Exp
Noob
Auto Glym is good stuff used to use it

I found Mer Vinyl cleaner a little cheaper - I just renovated an aging 1998 Corsa (its for sale if you want a cheap runaround!) - all its exterior trim was grey and knackered looking.

Used the Mer on it - looks almost new! :thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

vwalan

Funster
Sep 23, 2008
8,835
5,798
roche cornwall
Funster No
4,148
MH
lynton5th wheel
Exp
since a child
just use cheap silicon spray . been using it for years on concourse and show cars .
forget all the expensive products .just cheap as you can get silicon spray. none of the products lasts very long so do it cheap. and often .have tried peanut oil etc but dont like it .
 

mike mcglynn

LIFE MEMBER
Deceased RIP
Jan 6, 2008
2,700
32,552
St. Helens MERSEYSIDE
Funster No
1,144
MH
Autosleeper Warwick XL
Exp
A long time now
Black trim

Hi, Neil I used to use Kiwi boot polish black of course :winky:it came up a treat on my vinyl roof ford escort and mirrors ,bumper, etc . use a stiff brush like a nail brush and buff off with an old towel lovely finish :thumb:
 
OP
OP
1_man_and_his_dob(lo)
Feb 4, 2010
2,329
1,590
Mid. Glamorgan, S. Wales
Funster No
10,168
MH
Motorhutch / Toy Camper
Exp
Since 2010
Wow...thanks for all the replies already!

Not tried this but I did read about using the inside of a banana skin and also Peanut butter !! Smooth of course not crunchy. :ROFLMAO:

I am being serious.. !!!:Eeek:

So I wasn't imagining the peanut butter solution :Smile:

Hi, Neil I used to use Kiwi boot polish black of course :winky:it came up a treat on my vinyl roof ford escort and mirrors ,bumper, etc . use a stiff brush like a nail brush and buff off with an old towel lovely finish :thumb:

Never thought of boot polish...thanks!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Sep 4, 2011
2,664
6,754
Funster No
18,048
MH
No more
Works a treat:thumb: I got some from Amazon

RRP:ÂŁ7.50Price:ÂŁ5.80 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery.
 

Attachments

  • 31mLrfkPtLL.jpg
    31mLrfkPtLL.jpg
    8.9 KB · Views: 51

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
6,194
East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
Oily rag or turps, dirt cheap and works (we dont do this on our vans though!)

Peter

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

163phil

Free Member
Dec 4, 2012
283
273
Kenilworth
Funster No
23,897
MH
Coach built
Exp
Still only a year after many years camping
All these remedies only work in the short term. The only way for a lasting finish is to nib down with scotchpad or similar, degrease and respray. You can get a good finish with aerosol adhesive promoter (plastic primer) and satin black. It's a bit time consuming, but worth the effort in the long run.
:winky:
 
Aug 21, 2008
692
1,355
skegness
Funster No
3,766
MH
Autosleeper Symbol
Exp
Van Conversion
Restoring Bumper Black

Try Wd 40 on a cloth and it cleans up to showroom finish

Alan :thumb:
 
OP
OP
1_man_and_his_dob(lo)
Feb 4, 2010
2,329
1,590
Mid. Glamorgan, S. Wales
Funster No
10,168
MH
Motorhutch / Toy Camper
Exp
Since 2010
Restore Faded Auto Trim Back To Black using a heat gun ...

never tried this myself but it looks impressive..


http://youtu.be/Mt8gyYJBTz4

Hmmm....looks pretty good....but I know what'll happen if I try doing that :Doh:

At least in that video the trim was taken off the car, which seems like common sense, unlike... :Eeek:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ue-1_Jk2Y0"]How to restore car / vehicle faded plastic trim using a heat gun fix - YouTube[/ame]

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

camocam1

Free Member
Aug 28, 2012
1,112
788
Elgin,Moray,Scotland
Funster No
22,620
MH
bailey approach 760 se
Exp
since 2012
if as stated by some that none of the remedies last very long has anyone tried getting it sprayed white to match MH ???? Will getting it sprayed work on plastic ???
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
if as stated by some that none of the remedies last very long has anyone tried getting it sprayed white to match MH ???? Will getting it sprayed work on plastic ???

Yes providing proper primers and preparation are used,
Factory white bumpers are just sprayed plastic, there not white all the way through:thumb:
 

buyer

Funster - Life Member
LIFE MEMBER
Jun 29, 2008
218
74
leicestershire
Funster No
3,090
MH
american coach
Exp
20 plus another 12years tugging/small campers
The heat gun method works VERY WELL I use this method regularly and is the best method I have found with my 40years years in the motor trade. It's very quick ,costs next to nothing, and it lasts:thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
1_man_and_his_dob(lo)
Feb 4, 2010
2,329
1,590
Mid. Glamorgan, S. Wales
Funster No
10,168
MH
Motorhutch / Toy Camper
Exp
Since 2010
Well....after 4 weeks the peanut butter-treated wing mirror is back to grey :Sad:

...and after 5 weeks the Auto Glym-treated mirror is also back to grey :cry:

The rear bump got the peanut butter treatment and TBH looks pretty crap....it seems to attract dirt now and is also fading.

The front bumper was Auto Glym'd and is just starting to fade.

So...as suggested...it looks like frequent applications are required. Until I run out, at which point I'll be looking into the other suggestions.
 
Jun 30, 2010
7,921
27,188
Cornwall
Funster No
12,372
MH
1992 VW Auto sleeper Mono
Exp
Since 2005 this time
I got some[HI] Mer Bumper & External Vinyl Cleaning Gel[/HI] at one of the shows a while back.

You need to keep putting it on but it's quite good. :Smile:

This is the best thing I've found ,BUT, you need to follow the instructions to the letter, else you'll end up with a shitty sponge/ chamois the next time you wash:thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top