Black Plastic reconditioning....

[spikerizzo]

It seems because of perhaps too much washing the black plastic trim-running board below the doors is starting to fade. Anything I can do to restore the color, maybe a dye or paint? I use that color restorer but you have to reapply it often.

Thanks Peeps.

[sspeer]

Originally Posted by spikerizzo

It seems because of perhaps too much washing the black plastic trim-running board below the doors is starting to fade. Anything I can do to restore the color, maybe a dye or paint? I use that color restorer but you have to reapply it often.

Thanks Peeps.

My trim has never been 'black', more of a medium gray. Another possibility is that it is dried on wax. I'd pick up some Mr Clean Extra Strength Magic Erasers and give that a try first

There is a product called 'Forever Black' that's a 'permanent' dye I've also seen a kit at Wal-Mart made by Bondo by the touchup paint.

Worst case, I'd get some primer made for flexible plastic and they make bumper spray paint in a couple colors..

[binkybaby]

Try Mother's Back to Black too, it works well for some of those areas below the bumper on my '06. i replaced those grey rocker panels with the running boards though........

[Nuke-Em]

Originally Posted by binkybaby

Try Mother's Back to Black too, it works well for some of those areas below the bumper on my '06.

I've used that product too. It works well and holds it's shine for a feww months before it wears off and returns back to the dull grey. However, despite having to reapply maybe once or twice a year, it's not bad.

Matt

[binkybaby]

yeah i use it every time i wax. i just waxed the Binkymobile yesterday and put the Back to Black on the pieces underneath the bumpers as well as the black plastic B-pillar and mirror trim, in addition to the rear bumper and running board step pads. There isn't as much grey plastic on the '06 and '07 models, but of course that means there's a lot more painted surface to keep clean and waxed! XD

[Ritz]

Originally Posted by binkybaby

Try Mother's Back to Black too, it works well for some of those areas below the bumper on my '06. i replaced those grey rocker panels with the running boards though........

I'll second the Mothers Back to Black. It works great.

Cheers,

[sspeer]

Some more thinking...

Back to Black is a good product, but really doesn't excel in the restoring department (nothing really does short of dying)

A couple of non-dye items that 'may' help, but aren't so easily obtained at Mother's:

Black Again
Poorboys Trim Restorer

[BobbyP]

Originally Posted by sspeer

Some more thinking...

Back to Black is a good product, but really doesn't excel in the restoring department (nothing really does short of dying)

A couple of non-dye items that 'may' help, but aren't so easily obtained at Mother's:

Black Again
Poorboys Trim Restorer

Sspeer is right, restore...

I've used Adams VRT (Vinyl Rubber Tire Dressing) It enhances and protects rubber. It's water based and does not leave a greasy film.

[rumbob]

You will think this is crazy, but it works....

First wash the grey rough pastic well, make you get everything off, make it super clean.

Then buy some peanut oil, it is cheap, then get about a 1.5" wide new paint brush, get a cup, pour in the oil and apply the oil to the surface with the brush, it will drip so make sure you are in an area where this is not a concern. Let it sit for 10 min then wipe off with old clean rags. The plastic will look better than new and the bugs and crap do not stick as much.

Old trick but the looks you get with a fresh wax job and impecable plastic mouldings are worth it.

Shssssss do not tell owners other than VUE owners....

[sspeer]

Peanut oil is a short term cosmetic fix. It also attracts dust It reminded me of an interesting trim test a person did using several items including peanut oil, olive oil, 303, Back to Black, forever black.and a few others

The peanut oil did look as if it performed better than many products though..

http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/09...-have-a-winner.

[Ritz]

Originally Posted by sspeer

Peanut oil is a short term cosmetic fix. It also attracts dust It reminded me of an interesting trim test a person did using several items including peanut oil, olive oil, 303, Back to Black, forever black.and a few others

http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/09...-have-a-winner.

It attracts dust (quickly, I might add) and will go rancid after a few days and start to smell funny, especially if you keep your car inside.

Cheers,

[sspeer]

Originally Posted by Ritz

It attracts dust (quickly, I might add) and will go rancid after a few days and start to smell funny, especially if you keep your car inside.

Cheers,

But you'd know what to do with all that leftover turkey frying oil after Thanksgiving haha.

I'd bet Motor oil would do the same thing as peanut oil

On a whim, I used some 1 step tire cleaner/shine on some spots and it looked pretty good. I usually only use it for fenderwells

[rumbob]

True, it does attract dust, guess everything has a downfall. I usualy use it when I want to go cruzing after a complete cosmetic job.

It however does not go rancid, I have been using it for years, never had a problem with that. A good pressure washer also gets off all the dust and oil.

Someone told me that GM had a fix for all the plastic that was on the avalanche as it is almost all grey plastic at one time, I have not looked into that claim.

Have fun!

B

[sspeer]

Originally Posted by rumbob

True, it does attract dust, guess everything has a downfall. I usualy use it when I want to go cruzing after a complete cosmetic job.

It however does not go rancid, I have been using it for years, never had a problem with that. A good pressure washer also gets off all the dust and oil.

Someone told me that GM had a fix for all the plastic that was on the avalanche as it is almost all grey plastic at one time, I have not looked into that claim.

Have fun!

B

Did some more googling..looks like there's a product called gatorback that is a similar system to Forever black..clean and dye. It's marketed more toward the Avalanche Twins, Hummer, and Trailblazer. What's nice is that comes in 3 colors light and dark gray and black.

A full kit to restore an avalanche is 162 bucks, but you can pick up the cleaner and a smaller shoe polish type die for considerably less

[mellissam]

Originally Posted by sspeer

...... but you can pick up the cleaner and a smaller shoe polish type die for considerably less

Shoe polish dye will work? Really? Have to try that, as we don't have Forever Black up here...at least I haven't found a store that carries it....

[sspeer]

Originally Posted by mellissam

Shoe polish dye will work? Really? Have to try that, as we don't have Forever Black up here...at least I haven't found a store that carries it....

I read that would work..but be sure it's dye and not just polish..worth a try since it's cheap