Hi all. 2017 F55S here. About 8k miles. The windshield cowl started faded last summer and I used some 303 Aerospace hoping it would stop it. It's just as bad this summer. Almost gray. I can moisten it with gummi and it improves until rains.

I know this has been an issue on MINIs for many years now. Has anyone ever successfully recovered a faded cowl? If so, what products did you like? I always heard 303 was supposed to be excellent, but maybe you gotta hit it upon new car delivery for it to work (and I waited like 6 months).

 

These products have to be applied more than annually to work. My cowl faded as well and I use 303. Best stuff I've found and it lasts pretty well. Even those creams designed for plastic pieces like on the Honda Element don't last. Too bad Mini uses such crappy plastic. Same with the black front bumper, but there's no cure for that fade except replacement.

 

 

Mine is definitely still in warranty. Are you happy with the replacement piece? Did they install it correctly? That "seal" that goes along the bottom of the cowl piece seems like it's begging to not be installed correctly ever again, so I was hoping to avoid replacing the cowl.

 

I use RenewProtect BlaK. Works great and if applied correctly will last a year depending on your location and whether you garage your car.

https://renewprotect.com/

 

I have a 15' MC. The dealer replaced mine 1-1/2 years ago under warranty and it now is starting to fade and turn gray even with using aerospace 303.
I used a stain-like product on my previous R53 black plastic that held up very well. Just can't recall it's name at the moment.

 

 

When treating faded or "grayed-out" black trim, I use "Back to Black". Easy to use, cheap and works fine for me. Available pretty much everywhere. Got a bottle at Walmart, and apply liberally when I start to see the black starting to fade.



https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mothers-B...3=4063&veh=sem


For less than $6, give it a try.

 

That’ll work fine for you, but if the caris parked outside on a regular basis rain will cause it to run and fade quickly. I gave up on Back to Black several years ago.

 

I had tried Back to Black on an old Saab and it only worked so-so. Looked bad after it rained even though I wiped off all the excess product. I picked up a bottle Maguires Ultimate Black. It says it has a UV protectant. Maybe it will work? Can't hurt I guess.

 

 

Now that looks interesting. I may give it a try. How does it work getting the wax off of the black trim (or covering it). Seems no matter how hard I try, I always get a bit on the fender or along the bottom edge.

 

Seemed to do a good job. I cleaned the trim with isopropyl alcohol first, but even that leaves some white behind in the low bits of the trim.

But again, I don’t know how well it will work once the surface has gone chalky to the touch.

 

Do you have the picture of the fade? Have not seen it on the F56 yet.