SIGforum
Car detailing - Restoring black plastic running boards
August 27, 2018, 03:16 PM
holdemCar detailing - Restoring black plastic running boards
I have a 2015 Suburban and the black plastic running boards are now more of a gray. I would like to bring them back to a black. I want the method to be easy. I do not want to paint them or use other solvents that require me to tape off parts of the car. I do not want to use a heat gun, nor do I own one.
Should I buy one of the various back to black detailing products I see on the market? Should I use peanut butter, as I have seen in multiple videos? Something else I have not seen?
What is going to give me the best result for the least amount of time / work invested?
August 27, 2018, 03:19 PM
Aeteoclesquote:
Originally posted by holdem:
I have a 2015 Suburban and the black plastic running boards are now more of a gray. I would like to bring them back to a black. I want the method to be easy. I do not want to paint them or use other solvents that require me to tape off parts of the car. I do not want to use a heat gun, nor do I own one.
Should I buy one of the various back to black detailing products I see on the market? Should I use peanut butter, as I have seen in multiple videos? Something else I have not seen?
What is going to give me the best result for the least amount of time / work invested?
Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer.
It's a white cream. Wipe on, wipe off.
Keeps my 2012 Subaru, which has black plastic cladding just about everywhere, looking new.
Vic Johnson
August 27, 2018, 04:09 PM
bigdealquote:
If you don't give a damn about your vehicle, or are going to get rid of it soon, use any of the products noted in that article.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
August 27, 2018, 04:12 PM
bigdealquote:
Originally posted by holdem:
I have a 2015 Suburban and the black plastic running boards are now more of a gray. I would like to bring them back to a black.
First off, a few questions.
1 - How much effort do you want to put in on this?
2 - How long do you intend to keep the vehicle?
3 - How much does it sit outside every day?
And no, peanut butter is not an option, unless you're making a sandwich.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
August 27, 2018, 04:16 PM
goingbrokeWhat holdem said about Meguiar's but you can't stop using it and what bigdeal said too...that stuff will turn your trim white!
Automotive detail suppliers sell a spray that does the trick and is about twenty dollars a can! We keep it to do our truck trim in...
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"A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition." - Rudyard Kipling
August 27, 2018, 04:21 PM
bigeinkcmoYou may not get a brand-new look but
303 Protectant is the real deal and works well. I use it on several different UV exposed items. Spa cover, kids play things that sit outside, paddleboard, etc. Very handy stuff.
August 27, 2018, 04:31 PM
bigdealquote:
Originally posted by goingbroke:
Automotive detail suppliers sell a spray that does the trick and is about twenty dollars a can! We keep it to do our truck trim in...
Would love to know the name of that product. Some of the wholesale detailing suppiers around here sell a couple products for black trim, but its almost pure silicone which is a no no for trim over time.
quote:
Originally posted by bigeinkcmo:
You may not get a brand-new look but
303 Protectant is the real deal and works well. I use it on several different UV exposed items. Spa cover, kids play things that sit outside, paddleboard, etc. Very handy stuff.
303 is an excellent product if....
1 - You use it consistently from day one.
2 - You apply it frequently as it will wash away with exposure to rain and washing.
Personally, I think the best use of this product is on interior trim.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
August 27, 2018, 04:33 PM
holdemquote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
First off, a few questions.
1 - How much effort do you want to put in on this?
2 - How long do you intend to keep the vehicle?
3 - How much does it sit outside every day?
And no, peanut butter is not an option, unless you're making a sandwich.
1 - Not a whole lot. Buy the stuff at the store, spend 10 or 20 minutes on the process. If I have to re-do occasionally, so be it.
2 - A long time. I kept my 2007 Suburban for 11 years and 280,000 miles.
3 - All day, every day, in the Florida sun.
If I can easily make it look better, without spending more than $20-$30, I am willing to do it.
If there is a process that requires me to spend a few hours on it, well then, I would probably just leave it as is.
August 27, 2018, 04:46 PM
bigdealquote:
Originally posted by holdem:
quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
First off, a few questions.
1 - How much effort do you want to put in on this?
2 - How long do you intend to keep the vehicle?
3 - How much does it sit outside every day?
And no, peanut butter is not an option, unless you're making a sandwich.
1 - Not a whole lot. Buy the stuff at the store, spend 10 or 20 minutes on the process. If I have to re-do occasionally, so be it.
2 - A long time. I kept my 2007 Suburban for 11 years and 280,000 miles.
3 - All day, every day, in the Florida sun.
If I can easily make it look better, without spending more than $20-$30, I am willing to do it.
If there is a process that requires me to spend a few hours on it, well then, I would probably just leave it as is.
That said, here's what I'd recommend.
Step 1 - CleaningWash the truck completely with a good car wash product, then scrub the trim parts with a scrub brush and a Dawn dishwashing soap and water mixture. Try and keep this off the paint as much as possible given it will remove most waxes. You need to get any/all residual product off the trim before treating it.
Step 2 - DryWipe the truck down and make sure all the trim is totally dry before proceeding.
Step 3 - Treat/Protect Get some of this
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant and follow the application instructions. Its not hard to apply, but there are a couple do's and don'ts. If your trim is really bad, you might need to apply two coats 24 hours apart.
If you do it right, you'll get a nice satin black, kind of OEM look to the trim that will last even in the Florida sun for 3-5 months. With the rain and sun here, most products will be gone in 30 days.
Feel free to email me if you have additional questions and I'll do my best to address them.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
August 27, 2018, 04:48 PM
MattWNew Wipe, the stuff works. My 4th gen 4Runner has the plastic cladding across the lower 1/4 of the body. Was skeptical and tried a small area, instant success. Did all the trim and it looked fantastic up until the time I sold it a couple of years later. Stuff is potent, use outdoors and wear gloves.
August 27, 2018, 04:59 PM
GreymannBaby oil is all need.
August 27, 2018, 05:26 PM
ARmanI haven't used it, but a friend has, Wipe New. He did his trim last summer and it still looks good.
ARman
August 27, 2018, 05:35 PM
shovelheadThis stuff:https://www.pigspit.com/product/pig-spit-original-case/
Pig Spit is the stuff that dreams are made of.....ok, so I'm exaggerating a bit.
I've sold this product at Harley dealerships since the early 2000's. Like it says, it can be used on metal, plastic, tires (use on a rag and watch the tread area though).
I've used it on my Wrangler's plastic parts, Harley painted engine cases, on a 67 Pontiac with the eight lug drums as a fast touch up. Basically anything painted or plastic.
It is a non oily substance so it will not attract fuzzies from Cottonwoods, weeds, dust.
Many motorcycle shops have it and it is available on Amazon too.
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————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
August 27, 2018, 05:35 PM
jhe888quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
quote:
Originally posted by holdem:
quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
First off, a few questions.
1 - How much effort do you want to put in on this?
2 - How long do you intend to keep the vehicle?
3 - How much does it sit outside every day?
And no, peanut butter is not an option, unless you're making a sandwich.
1 - Not a whole lot. Buy the stuff at the store, spend 10 or 20 minutes on the process. If I have to re-do occasionally, so be it.
2 - A long time. I kept my 2007 Suburban for 11 years and 280,000 miles.
3 - All day, every day, in the Florida sun.
If I can easily make it look better, without spending more than $20-$30, I am willing to do it.
If there is a process that requires me to spend a few hours on it, well then, I would probably just leave it as is.
That said, here's what I'd recommend.
Step 1 - CleaningWash the truck completely with a good car wash product, then scrub the trim parts with a scrub brush and a Dawn dishwashing soap and water mixture. Try and keep this off the paint as much as possible given it will remove most waxes. You need to get any/all residual product off the trim before treating it.
Step 2 - DryWipe the truck down and make sure all the trim is totally dry before proceeding.
Step 3 - Treat/Protect Get some of this
Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant and follow the application instructions. Its not hard to apply, but there are a couple do's and don'ts. If your trim is really bad, you might need to apply two coats 24 hours apart.
If you do it right, you'll get a nice satin black, kind of OEM look to the trim that will last even in the Florida sun for 3-5 months. With the rain and sun here, most products will be gone in 30 days.
Feel free to email me if you have additional questions and I'll do my best to address them.
Thanks for the tip. I know you take this seriously, and, even better, know what you are talking about.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything. August 27, 2018, 06:06 PM
Skins2881This stuff sounds way to complicated, just buy a new car, way easier.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis August 27, 2018, 06:34 PM
BigWhupThe Wipe New works as well as anything I have tried. It will outlast the 303 protectant when exposed to the elements.
August 27, 2018, 08:44 PM
snwghstI’m a fan of the Wolfgang product Bigdeal mentioned
It says it’s a 90 day product but with 2 coats I’m getting 6-9mths protection in LA sun. (I started using it when my truck was new)
A little bit goes a LONG way. Definitely remove the excess as direction state
To add to the process bigdeal said... I also use my leaf blower to dry my truck after final rinse and chamois or thick microfiber. I have a very high mineral content in the water and the forced air makes sure anything that may drip out is blown out
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Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever
August 28, 2018, 01:31 AM
TomVI've had good results with
Mother's Back To Black.
August 28, 2018, 02:44 AM
Dusty78If it’s plastic try and heat gun. Worked wonders on my Xterra. Look at the side I used the heat gun on compared to the side I hadn’t done yet. The heat gun doesn’t have to be redone. You are basically heating the top layer back to the original color. It can last years. Just throw on some trim protectant after you’re done.
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