I use Meguiars Exterior Trim Detailer spray. The trim stays black, there is UV protection, and it is resistant to rain. Even if it rains and causes streaking I just wipe the trim down with a cloth and it smooths out the finish. There is a Zaino product that i am going to try next.

 

Black Again or Poorboy's Trim Restorer.

Using a wax or sealant that does NOT stain trim really saves time. These include FMJ, Zaino, Pinnacle Souveran Wax, etc.

I generally reserve the products that stain trim to vehicles with painted trim.

 

On the tires I use Forever Black Tire Gel. Apply to clean dry tires with the applicator sponge - let dry - tires are blacker then blace for a couple months. It is not a shiny finish, more like real rubber and I like that.

I stopped using Armour All years ago when I found it caused sidewall cracking on my bike tires. It also caused a funky buildup over time on exterior plastics. Perhaps its been reformulated in the last 15 years but I won't use it.

 

Go for 3 here against Armor All....I'll use AA in the engine bay, but nowhere else. I've been using Meg's Natural Shine Vinyl / Rubber Protectant for outside trim and stuff, and their Dash Foam inside. I like their Dash foam, and my wife prefers the light scent it leaves, and still have a few other poducts to try to compare for outside durability against the Meg's Natural Shine.

Eddie

 

Two days of rain have made my third comparison test successfuly. I finally have a winning product. Need to wait for the sun to dry things out (I notice the trim stays blacker till it gets sun again) so I can take photos and be sure of the results. All the other trim products were wiped out, except for the two cooking oils, which are still there but covered in their attracted dirt.

 

I had used Z2 on my Xterra's textured trim a few years ago and it held up very well until is weakened and looked like peeling clearcoat. Maybe you have a build up of sealants and/or other products.

Did you try scrubbing the trim with PB trim restorer with a cttn terry applicator/cloth? This worked on a friend's Mini a while back.

What is working the best for you now?

Good luck!

 

I'm with you on the Natural Shine. I tried it a few weeks ago, and it seems great so far. Makes the black areas a rich shade of black, without being too glossy. I'll have to try the dash foam!

 

Forever Black - last upto 3 years.

 

ya i always hear good things about poorboys stuff, and about the peanuit buttter thing, you just apply it and wipe it off or do you leave it on for a few seconds?

 

griot's has lasted 2 washes and 2 rains. it needs some more just to be super pretty, but it still repels water and is mildly slick. I have no doubt that forever black is better than it even but the griot's stuff does work. Interior wise, the griots vinyl and rubber treatment works amazingly well. I have put two layers on a brand new car and it has made cleaning the car really easy.
i do what I think Kenchan said, I use Speedshine from griot's to clean the interior as Interior cleaner would remove some of the vinyl and rubber treatment.

The way I apply these things is probably a bit different. I put so much on it drips a bit. then I let it sit overnight, I put more on the the next day. It really gets a chance to absorb and make a uniform surface then I found. (exterior not interior)

 

Jefe--you have a brand new mini. The whitening of plastic trim doesn't start showing up for a good 1.5-2 years. Yours will look nice and pretty no matter what you wash them with

 

yep, it's a quick way to clean the interior without dry it up like their
InteriorCleaner. imho, that cleaner is too strong for most apps unless
you plan to dress it right after. especially on leather, InteriorCleaner is
a bit too strong. Nero is the way to go for dressup and
also to clean your interior bits.

Yesterday, i was detailing the interior of my Legacy as i had tons of
finger print marks from me hardwiring my radar detector. i just used
the cal interior duster and went straight to Nero. perfect finish each time.

 

I use Wizards Black Renew
www.Wizardsproducts.com

 

+1

 

Another vote for 1Z Tiefenphleger ( 1Z = Einszett ) . They do have an on-line store or you can try local stores. Theyve got kind of a screwy distribution set up, but their products are top notch.

303 Aerospace Protectant also works great on the plastic trim, and protects it from UV. Great stuff and available from auto parts stores everywhere.

 

Finally... Black Renew is back!!

Click here to link directly to it: Wizards Black Renew

Sorry for the delay to those who have been asking about it!

As Leroy and MiniMaybee point out, the Black Renew is awesome! It is much more durable than most and also contains cleaners, which many other do not. It's by far my favorite for exterior trim (before we sold it too ).

-Heather

 

+1

 

FWIW I thought I'd post an update, I did in fact use Goof Off the other day, very carefully. Note this was quite awhile after the 'incident', so it was pretty dry. I had tried a few other things first to no avail.

I first made sure it wouldn't dissolve the plastic and after that test, applied it directly to the touch up paint (it was a streak about 1.5" long, running down the trim due to gravity, 1/8" wide) with a Q-tip.

After letting it soak in I 'scrubbed' it with the Q-tip. You could see it lifting the paint off onto the Q-tip. I did this w/ about 4 Q's, until it was all gone.

The area I worked on was "bleached"; all it took was a couple of applications of 303 Aerospace Protectorant to match the rest of the fender.

 

I wax the vinyl with Turtle Wax Ice. For the paint I use NXT, which I believe covers paint flaws better than the Ice. But the Ice on vinyl is great!--low gloss, covers white residue, seems to last a LONG time too!

Ken