Sections of the black trim on my '02 Cooper have a rough surface that's very tough to keep from looking gray. I assume the roughness is the natural result from being attacked by road grit over the years.

My question: would wet sanding with increasingly fine grit paper (much as you would do with a painted surface) help or hurt?

Thanks.

 

Don't know the answer in regards to Sand Paper?? I'd try BlackWow on it 1st and see what you think??!!

 

I would think that on the small scratches that should work the only problem i could see coming up is that the plastic isn't smooth like a painted surface and the sand paper might make it too smooth. To keep the plastic from turning grey i started using mothers back to black and it seems to be working really well it has a really nice shine to it.

 

you should just paint it instead. or use some black trim dye available from griot's.

 

I discovered this product :

http://www.foreverblack.com/products.html

and it is fantastic!

I leave my car outside all the time and it's stayed for months.The other products mentioned above do not contain any dyes. This one is like a shoe polish applicator with a black dye in it that covers everything like paint polish that gets on the trim and turns it white when I slip with the applicator.

It's not easy to find over the counter--you are better off mail ordering it.

 

Three words:

"STONER'S TRIM SHINE"

Hands down, the easiest, and best I have ever used, and I have tried a lot.
Just spray it on - no wiping. Takes all of 30 seconds to do the entire car, and it looks GREAT and lasts a long time (I keep mine outdoors as well).
One can lasts a long time, too. It's been around for like 15 years, still used by tons of people, and you know a lot of other products have some and gone during that time.

It can be hard to find - Kragen's used to carry it, but the last three stores I tried didn't have it. One salesman was surprised that it was no longer on his shelves, and didn't know why - wondered if it was being discontinued by their store! I sort of panicked - and so did he! He loves the product, and so do others - he said one customer comes in, buys it up by the case (a detailer?) After not finding it anywhere, I did a Y2000 and went and bought several cans off the internet.

Doesn't get around the rough-texture issue (sandpaper? maybe only the super fine grit, tried on a small area in as inconspicuous place as you can find) - but for keeping the trim looking good, IMHO, you can't beat TS.

http://www.trimshine.com/

Melanie