[BrianR383]

I dont know if this is the right forum for this. This is the first vehicle I've owned with extensive plastic trim. Does anyone have advice on how to protect it and keep it black? Thanks.

 

[The_Warlin]

I dont know if this is the right forum for this. This is the first vehicle I've owned with extensive plastic trim. Does anyone have advice on how to protect it and keep it black? Thanks.

Waxing it I believe, just like the car paint. I believe TurtleWax and some others also make a wax specifically for the plastic trim. Definitely important to take care of. My old 2001 Jeep Cherokee's trim just completely faded to grey by the time the car was 10 years old.

 

[Foobar]

303 aerospace protectant Is what I've always used for trim pieces.

 

[CalTom]

303 aerospace protectant Is what I've always used for trim pieces.

I second the 303, I used on my old fiberglass sailboat, great in standing up to the harsh Southern California sun rays. Thanks for reminding me, the will be my first purchase.
303 Products Aerospace Protectant


I had seen mention of the Meguiar's product, but I will stick with 303.

Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer

 

[raz-0]

Wax is probably bad on non-painted plastic. I know I've had a real bad experience on satin plastic. It didn't buff out and got hazy immediately.

 

[Indiana Jones]

DON'T USE WAX! You will never get that stuff out of the trim! I use Adams for my trim.

In and Out spray is good for nooks and crannies area, like the grill and lasts a long time;
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/specials/adam-s-in-out-spray-3-pack.html

Then you have the regular stuff
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exterior/wheels-tires/adam-s-super-vrt-tire-trim-dressing.html

The nice thing about these products is if you are waxing and get some on the trim this will cover it up.

 

[travis4567]

Caring for Exterior plastic

The exterior of the Latitude has a lot of plastic trim including the bumpers. I have used Aerospace 303 to keep my Wrangler's plastic trim from fading with mixed results.
Any clue on caring for the black plastic to keep it from fading?
Should I use a protectant right away even though they look good now?
Owner's manual has no info on this.
Thoughts??

 

[Stellner]

The exterior of the Latitude has a lot of plastic trim including the bumpers. I have used Aerospace 303 to keep my Wrangler's plastic trim from fading with mixed results.
Any clue on caring for the black plastic to keep it from fading?
Should I use a protectant right away even though they look good now?
Owner's manual has no info on this.
Thoughts??

I asked the same question to the detailer at the dealership where I purchased my car. He said to get "Back to Black" at auto stores like Autozone, etc. I haven't tried it yet, but I will. Hope it works.

 

[travis4567]

I used the "Back to Black" on my Wrangler.. It looked great when first applied but faded after a couple of weeks.

 

[Bmwgsa]

I use Meguiars High Gloss on the tires and the plastic - goes on thick and lasts (kinda smells like grape jelly) - gives a nice "wet look" finish.

 

[cnasty]

I use Meguiars High Gloss on the tires and the plastic - goes on thick and lasts (kinda smells like grape jelly) - gives a nice "wet look" finish.

I was curious about this as well as I have the silver renegade and the black looks awesome as a nice contrast but I know it can fade over time in this hot texas sunshine.

I am going to try yours. do you use it as needed or every time you wash your car?

 

[Bmwgsa]

I usually re-apply when I wash the bikes or the car.
A little goes a very long way.... I usually apply it, let it sit a bit and go back and wipe it down with a rag.

However - Don't use it for anything interior (well maybe the dash, but I wouldn't do more than that)!
It's really slick....

 

[ESOLO]

All the plastic on the Renegade is the only thing I dislike about the car. When I had my Wrangler, every year I repainted the fenders with satin black Krylon Fusion spray paint. It always turned out great but the fenders were a small isolated portion of the vehicle so it wasn't a very hard job. I can only imagine trying to Krylon all the trim on the Renegade. I guess we should all enjoy our vibrant black plastic while it lasts and when it starts to fade we'll go from there...

 

[ernanilm]

I use Mothers Back to black

 

[SoMD Canary]

I was thinking about Mother's Protectant...any thoughts about this product for the black plastic exterior?

 

[astrobdean]

My old boss turned me onto Back to Black. It leaves the most uniform non-oily finish of any trim protestant product I have tried. I apply it every other wash or so.

 

[Jeeppetto]

Best plastic body part protectant

Any recommendations on a long lasting protectant for all the wonderful plastic bits, like the lower bumpers, side trim, side mirrors , door handles and taillight surrounds? Just finished my first wax job, and was wondering if there are some great products out there, to keep those bits from getting dull grey?
Scott

 

[sgworldwide]

Any recommendations on a long lasting protectant for all the wonderful plastic bits, like the lower bumpers, side trim, side mirrors , door handles and taillight surrounds? Just finished my first wax job, and was wondering if there are some great products out there, to keep those bits from getting dull grey?
Scott

meguiers ultimate line of car products the ultimate black plastic restore works great and is what u want to make the plastic shiny lol and I also recommend meguiers ultimate wax at $20 a bottle or in paste form it did nice on my black caddy STS best synthetic outside of Zymol which is the best though thats if u got money to waste as there stuff is hundreds of dollars check car id they sell zymol starting kits main advantage is it lasts the whole year whatever the stuffs made of its good and smells awesome lol I'm lazy now and go to car wash lmaoooo

 

[raz-0]

meguiers ultimate line of car products the ultimate black plastic restore works great and is what u want to make the plastic shiny lol and I also recommend meguiers ultimate wax at $20 a bottle or in paste form it did nice on my black caddy STS best synthetic outside of Zymol which is the best though thats if u got money to waste as there stuff is hundreds of dollars check car id they sell zymol starting kits main advantage is it lasts the whole year whatever the stuffs made of its good and smells awesome lol I'm lazy now and go to car wash lmaoooo

1) Why would I want the plastic shiny? It didn't start shiny, so how is that protecting the finish?

2) Every wax looks nice on black. It's black, just being clean makes it look extra shiny.

3) Zymol last I checked is still a carnuba wax (well 51% carnuba), even in their fancy titanum glaze. Which makes me highly doubt you can put it on matte plastics and have it not get hazy. Zymol does smell nice though.

 

[sgworldwide]

1) Why would I want the plastic shiny? It didn't start shiny, so how is that protecting the finish?

2) Every wax looks nice on black. It's black, just being clean makes it look extra shiny.

3) Zymol last I checked is still a carnuba wax (well 51% carnuba), even in their fancy titanum glaze. Which makes me highly doubt you can put it on matte plastics and have it not get hazy. Zymol does smell nice though.

I never said I use it when I bought a meguiers ultimate kit had a bottle gave it to a friend he was happy I think shiny black plastic trim looks cheesy just like a shiny greasy interior but like the OP said over the years the trim does get grey and faded suvs tend to have a lot of grey plastic trim my caddy had none most was body colored black painted not grey

yes zymol is carnuba based but is the longest lasting one I never bought it not worth it though u got car people who have all the time and money in the world and buy the best I used meguiers ultimate wax which is synthetic based last longer then carnuba based

no u don't wax the plastic it will get hazy lol I just made a suggesting for a good wax since they the OP was looking for trim protectant when u detail a car u do the works lol