I have a mini that the black trim around the fenders and wheel wells has faded in some spots. Does any one know of a way to restore it with out changing all of the trim?

 

Back-to-Black or an equivelant, they have it at most auto part stores.

 

Black Wow, and maybe Pre-Wow if it's really bad or has other stains from wax, etc.

http://www.blackwow.com/

Here's Black Wow on my truck's bumper.

 

I have heard about JEEP owners using Penetrol /Flotrol from Home Depot, they do stress to put it on evenly or you will get streaks tho.

 

Black Wow!

 

Spend a bit more to get the Black Wow. A bottle will last you years. I've tried many others including the stuff many around here recommend (Back to Black) and Wow lasts muuuuuch longer than any of them.

Apply it as thinly as possible. Wipe off all excess. Even wash it after that. Good results for months.

 

Another vote for Black Wow

 

Another vote for Black Wow

 

B-b-b-b-b-lack Wooooooow!

Yeah the stuff is expensive but it works.

But has anyone tried Forever Black on their MINI?

 

Paint them the color of the mini

 

I vote "BLACK WOW"!

 

+1 for Black Wow

 

A buddy of mine told me after searching the web years ago someone suggested olive oil. He said it worked great. It's not toxic and makes your car taste great.

 

On food related solutions, peanut butter does the same thing. But it actually ends up being really expensive to restore your trim with peanut butter. And it takes forever to get the excess off. Just get BlackWow.

 

+1 on the Black Wow. Never had a problem with it at all.

 

Oh goodness. Why spend all that money?

Seriously, get Kiwi Black Leather Dye from WalMart. It costs less than $4, lasts longer than ANY other "black" product I've tried (wow, magic, etc), gives the exact "satin" finish you want, has a built-in applicator, and one bottle can cover all the black trim numerous times. Clean the black trim, apply, wipe off excess with paper towel if you're really ****, if at all streaky apply again.



Not kidding here, this stuff seriously lasts many months and let's face it, it's easy enough to apply and afford that re-application is no big deal.

Thanks to my friends at VWVortex who told me about this decades ago... (old watercooled VW's have ACRES of black trim)...

 

I used this for my old Volvo 740 Wagon Trim and Bumpers that did the trick. Just be careful around the paint! Stoner's Trim Shine works pretty well on my 2003 Justa, but after a couple weeks needs reapplied. May look into Black Wow....

 

You can always count on L for the cheapest, best solution. Still love the black electrical tape on my beltline!! Worked like a charm!

 

Thanks Giggles! Remember, not "black electrical tape", but "black Scotch 33+ electrical tape". There is a TREMENDOUS difference. Just install without stretching it much, and tuck/wrap the ends securely. You can even tuck the excess under the rubber molding (under windshield on R56/55 cars). Really nice satin black finish, too. The installation is everything.

Just cleaned my car again last night. Last time I applied the Kiwi Leather Dye was before MOTD (late April) and it's still looking fantastic (i.e. "like new") after many washes, weather, and thousands of miles. Unlike Armor All or other "shinola", you can brush against the trim wearing "stone" colored khakis and not get embarrassing black smudges on the ol' pantalones.

And Giggles, it's not "cheap", it's "cost effective". Or "frugal".

 

My bad....you are correct, Sir

 

thanks giggles!

Oh - the installation itself - while I've done this in part-sun on an 80 degree day, ideally you want to be in a 70 degree shaded area so the tape isn't too saggy and soft...

 

When I had my Jeep I lightly sanded and painted the faded plastic flares black using Krylon Fusion for plastic. After a year of weekend mud trips and tree branches, frequent pressure washer and scrub brush, and always parking outside and in the sun they still looked perfect.

 

Black Wow!!!!!!!!!!

 

Never used the Kiwi solution although it does look and sound compelling. Had GREAT luck with Black Wow!

 

Mine was looking really bad and grey so I sprayed it with eagle one no drip tire shine gel, rubbed it in with my fingers and wiped the excess off with a paper towel. It looks better than new, and even has a slight shine to it. I did this about 6 months ago and it looks the same as when I put it on.