Black Trim = Meguiars is Crap

[HotDamnGotaRam]

I know this has been discussed before and I've read the threads, but do I really have to spend $30+ for a bottle of goop to make my black trim look decent? Tried Supreme Shine Protectant, already had some. It actually did a pretty good job. Turned everything nice and black again and lasted for a few months. After a little rain and snow, started seeing black streaks down the doors and the tailgate. So got some Ultimate Black that is just for black trim. Didn't work worth well at all. Never got real black and started streaking after just a few days. So much for Meguiars. Never had much luck with it anyhow. So what do now? If I can't find any better alternative, I'll just go back to the original crap. Looked better, lasted longer.

 

[Hambodian]

I really like Cerakote Trim Coat. Last pretty much forever. Never had to reapply. Around $15. It comes as wipes. It can streak too if not applied evenly, but hardly noticeable.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Project Farm did a comparison recently:

I've Never Seen A Plastic Car Trim Restorer This Good! Wow!

No more unattractive plastic trim! Which Plastic Car Trim Restorer is Best? Faded or discolored black plastic car trim restoration. I'm really surprised by...

www.youtube.com

If you just want to see the results, you can fast forward to 16:40 for the chart.

 

[Carnero Plateado]

I bought the Cerakote based on Project Farm’s review, in the packaging is a card saying it is not for use on new trim. Has anyone tried it on new trim and were there any issues?

 

[joesstripclub]

There are two different methods to go on black plastic trim, keep it conditioned so it stays in good shape or bring it back to life after it fades. A lot of the restoring products have dyes in them, possibly why they only say to use on old plastics.

I personally use 303 Aerospace on my plastic trim and tonneau cover and it does a pretty good job, though you have to reapply regularly. I'm probably going to try to ceramic coat the plastics on the truck and see how that turns out.

 

[Mojo88]

There are two different methods to go on black plastic trim, keep it conditioned so it stays in good shape or bring it back to life after it fades. A lot of the restoring products have dyes in them, possibly why they only say to use on old plastics.

I personally use 303 Aerospace on my plastic trim and tonneau cover and it does a pretty good job, though you have to reapply regularly. I'm probably going to try to ceramic coat the plastics on the truck and see how that turns out.

When it rains, does any of this stuff run off and streak or stain painted surfaces??

Thanks

 

[Hambodian]

I bought the Cerakote based on Project Farm’s review, in the packaging is a card saying it is not for use on new trim. Has anyone tried it on new trim and were there any issues?
View attachment 573689

I put some on a new set of plastic running boards only because I had a couple packs left over. Didn't make it look any better or worse because there was no fade. So for me, it was kind of a waste to put it on the new running boards. If anything maybe it will protect it from fading. The boards were cleaned with alcohol prior to applying.

 

[Wild one]

I've used a heat gun to bring back faded black trim on a couple vehicles i bought to flip over the years. Just don't get carried away and melt the trim

 

[Carnero Plateado]

I got some clarification from Cerakote, new trim will out-gas for a couple years. Using the trim restorer on new plastics will cause the coating to fail. They recommended rapid ceramic coating to protect new trim.

 

[G-Ride990]

I am sure there are a ton of products that work just as good as this stuff. But this is what I have used for years and I highly recommend it. It's really meant for dirtbikes, quads and dirt toys to help keep the mud and dirt from sticking and just making the plastic of any color shine. But, it is incredible at bringing faded black plastic back to life too.

Maxima SC1

It lasts a long time. Easy to apply and if you buff it off a bit it'll give you that factory matte finish. Or you can leave it a bit heavy and it'll stay pretty glossy.

I have also had decent results with Chemical Guys VRP but don't put it on your wheels because it will fly right the heck off.

While I do like Meguiar's products, their trim restore has always left a lot to be desired for me. Too thin, doesn't soak in. Have to apply it way too often. Same goes for Mother's back to black.

Just like anything though, it's so subjective. Everyone has their own taste and preference. Maxima is my favorite and I always have a few cans in the garage.

 

[Carnero Plateado]

I am sure there are a ton of products that work just as good as this stuff. But this is what I have used for years and I highly recommend it. It's really meant for dirtbikes, quads and dirt toys to help keep the mud and dirt from sticking and just making the plastic of any color shine. But, it is incredible at bringing faded black plastic back to life too.

Maxima SC1

It lasts a long time. Easy to apply and if you buff it off a bit it'll give you that factory matte finish. Or you can leave it a bit heavy and it'll stay pretty glossy.

I have also had decent results with Chemical Guys VRP but don't put it on your wheels because it will fly right the heck off.

While I do like Meguiar's products, their trim restore has always left a lot to be desired for me. Too thin, doesn't soak in. Have to apply it way too often. Same goes for Mother's back to black.

Just like anything though, it's so subjective. Everyone has their own taste and preference. Maxima is my favorite and I always have a few cans in the garage.

VRP becomes streaky when exposed to moisture, it’s probably not a problem in Chandler, AZ, but fall in Minnesota means dew every morning.

I ordered Cerakote rapid ceramic, I will follow up when I get the trim on my truck treated.

 

[G-Ride990]

VRP becomes streaky when exposed to moisture, it’s probably not a problem in Chandler, AZ, but fall in Minnesota means dew every morning.

I ordered Cerakote rapid ceramic, I will follow up when I get the trim on my truck treated.

Good point, I am sure climate makes a big difference. VRP is not my go-to but I still think it's better than Mother's or Meguiar's.

I still really love Maxima SC1 and I use it all the time.

Everything is going ceramic these days though.

I am excited to see how your trim looks.

 

[joesstripclub]

When it rains, does any of this stuff run off and streak or stain painted surfaces??

Thanks

Not that I have seen. It will get a bit splotchy when it gets wet, but I haven't seen the black streaks you get with a lot of products

 

[bcbouy]

I use sc1 on my atv and my side by side and it works good enough for me to continue to use it.they both get very muddy and are aggressively power washed a couple times a week.i had a bottle of simoniz from somewhere that I had really decent results from but once i used it up I went to the sc1.my truck is fairly new so I've just started using the trim protectant on it the last year or so.it has been coated with cquartz ceramic coating so I don't know if it even needs trim protectant but what the heck.once I start to detail it I have to do a complete job.

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Thanks guys. I'll check out what you recommend and give another product a try. On a silver truck these black streaks look just awful.

 

[Carnero Plateado]

The Cerakote Rapid Ceramic showed up this morning. I cleaned the areas to be treated with full strength Simple Green and applied the Cerakote as directed. Color wise the plastic trim looks like new (because it essentially is) but during the buffing step it feels noticeably slicker.

My truck isn’t garaged so the primary goal is to protect against UV and provide an easy to clean protective surface. Time will tell if the juice is worth the squeeze…

 

[Mlarv5]

I have used this product brand since 2013 when I got my Shelby GT500. It is really easy to use last a long time, and does not run. Jax Wax

 

[joesstripclub]

Finally coated my trim and windows with Adams Graphene. Looks pretty good to me so far.

 

[ts27330]

I know this has been discussed before and I've read the threads, but do I really have to spend $30+ for a bottle of goop to make my black trim look decent? Tried Supreme Shine Protectant, already had some. It actually did a pretty good job. Turned everything nice and black again and lasted for a few months. After a little rain and snow, started seeing black streaks down the doors and the tailgate. So got some Ultimate Black that is just for black trim. Didn't work worth well at all. Never got real black and started streaking after just a few days. So much for Meguiars. Never had much luck with it anyhow. So what do now? If I can't find any better alternative, I'll just go back to the original crap. Looked better, lasted longer.

I use Back To Black which works for me.

 

[BigTex13]

SolutionFinish is a great product for black trim and will last. It is used a lot by professional detailers. I have used SEM Bumper Coater paint to restore faded bumpers and trim with great results that last.