Restoring faded exterior black plastic trim?

[mikebeaches]

Our camper is approaching its sixth birthday, and whilst the bodywork is in good condition, much of the black plastic trim and rear bumper are badly faded, which diminishes the overall appearance of the vehicle.

What do Funsters use / recommend for restoring the colour and appearance of black plastic trim - something that's easy to apply and reasonably long lasting?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NicM]

Back to black or something similar.

 

[Howard H]

I once had a smart car that had a very faded wing mirror , I tried a lot of proprietary products all off them worked but only lasted a day or so. The only thing that worked and I am not joking was peanut butter and that would last a week or so

 

[Clivefog]

Wheeler Dealers, yes I know but someone has to watch it, used a hot air gun with some success. I expect if it were me I'd melt something.

 

[MattR]

In my experience, nothing lasts for more than a couple of weeks.

I've used peanut butter, baby oil, Back to Black, heat guns.... Tyre shiner and other things. Nothing makes a lasting impression.

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[CamperManLez]

Autoglym trim gel, I will only last a couple of months but it very easy an fast to apply. It’s a clear gel so no making a mess on your paintwork. Just apply a light coat with a microfibre cloth. Bottle is about 8 quid and does all the plastic on my PVC about three times. A very good product.

 

[Folkranger]

Back to black's been on 3 months now and still good

 

[Wabs]

You won’t get anything on the market that will last more than two months

 

[jollyrodger]

Paint.

 

[jako999]

Be very careful with this and try a test patch first some car plastics certainly old Ford like heat. Take an electric hot air gun like a Black and Decker paint stripper it must be electric and not gas and just heat the plastic old Ford plastics use to to go back to black in front of your eyes and lasted 6 to 12 months each time I’ve done it on other manufacturers and some work some don’t but worth a try

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[SheikhLala]

Dirty/used engine oil and a sponge. Gently work it in and it doesn’t too bad a job.

 

[Cal54]

I’ve recently used a Turtle wax black trim cream and it made a good job but as with others it only lasts a couple of months and then needs redoing. I now use it sparingly whenever I wash the van and I’m happy with the results.

 

[PP Bear]

There was a thread running about this not so long ago, it had loads of suggestions, a quick search should find all the details you’ll need.

Personally I use this, it’s blooming brilliant. My neighbour has had his Tribute from new in 2005 and used black plastic trim, peanut butter, oils, heat etc, but then I gave him a bottle of this and he now raves about it.

Clear liquid gel, great for door rubber and window surrounds and all plastics and of course, bumpers.

Give it a go, you won’t be sorry or disappointed and it’s so easy to use….

Also used on the indicator stalks, mirror arms and plastic windscreen surround.

 

[Wack]

I used this , works but expensive £40 for 30ml

A cheaper alternative I've has sucess with on plastic trim

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Korova]

WD40 also works for a couple of weeks but thats got expensive to do regularly now.

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[suavecarve]

I used a rubber paint on our first van with excellent results.
Aerosol can. About a tenner I think.

 

[Paul.L]

Autoglym Bumper & Trim Gel to feed the plasic, with a top dressing of Collinite 476s wax to seal it in.
Top up with the wax two or three times a year to keep it looking it's best.

 

[PP Bear]

Autoglym Bumper & Trim Gel to feed the plasic, with a top dressing of Collinite 476s wax to seal it in.
Top up with the wax two or three times a year to keep it looking it's best.

Never thought about using Collinite wax after using the gel, but will defo give it a try

 

[Guigsy]

My previous 2007 had grey bumpers that went very faded and washed out. I tried heat gunning them and WD40. Didn't really do much.

A really thorough Back to Black treatment worked really well though. Stained from light grey to black. Made the van look less dated. We re-stained them about once per year.

 

[mikebeaches]

Wow, thanks everybody for all of the helpful suggestions, which give me plenty of things to try.

Seems I'm not alone with fading black plastic trim...

Much appreciated!

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[Don Campbell]

Thanks PP Bear and others. Never found the previous thread but lots of solutions and Autoglym +wax sounds like a great idea. Anything that lasts more than a few weeks is worth a try.