So, first time driving in the rain and didn't have a chance to wash for a few days during which the lower half of the car was practically covered in heavy road dirt. Gave the car a thorough wash but the darn black plastic trim and skirts still look faded like they are 10 years old and will not look better no matter how hard I tried scrubbing. I have a R59 and have never seen anything like this in the two yearsbof ownership. Any ideas short of using a heat gun on a brand new car? Thanks.

 

Make the MINI dealer aware of the issue. If necessary, use Ask MINI for support. If the trim looks different than when you drove it off the lot, you want someone from MINI to evaluate the issue prior to your attempting anything beyond applying trim dressing.

 

The trim they use is cheap looking stuff. Btw you are in the wrong section as this is for F series.

Several products are made to make plastic look better, check detailing threads.

 

I thought the title said F54

 

Yeah, I saw R59 in your post and jumped to the wrong conclusion. Right place!

 

Do you have pics?

 

Might just need to use Mothers Back to Black. The dressing is probably worn off the trim.

 

You reckon it comes dressed from the factory?

 

Yeah it shouldn't look all faded out. I use a product called Black Wow which works great on the wheel arches, but I don't need to use it very often. I'd get it checked at the dealership.

 

Try using some tire shine on it. (Just don't get it on the paint.)