General MINI Talk Shared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Plastic trim maintenance

  #1  
Old 08-25-2018, 06:48 AM
SavannahMan's Avatar
SavannahMan
SavannahMan is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Plastic trim maintenance

I have a new Mini and the black plastic trim around the wheel wells and under the doors already looks faded. Probably didn’t help that I tried simple green, denatured alcohol and a little gasoline to clean off some finishing sealant. Some 303 protectant makes them look better but still not great. I’d sure appreciate knowing what others are using to restore and maintain a deep black. Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 08-25-2018, 06:53 AM
Whine not Walnuts's Avatar
Whine not Walnuts
Whine not Walnuts is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Posts: 5,490
Received 625 Likes on 554 Posts
  #3  
Old 08-25-2018, 07:59 AM
cooper48's Avatar
cooper48
cooper48 is offline
6th Gear
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 2,019
Received 549 Likes on 446 Posts
I use "Back to Black" on my 2004 and it works great.
 
  #4  
Old 08-25-2018, 09:59 AM
Dave.O's Avatar
Dave.O
Dave.O is offline
4th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Chester PA
Posts: 512
Received 53 Likes on 34 Posts

Don’t use any high silicone based products that only last weeks and attract dirt like Black Wow or junk dressings from, Walmart, Auto-zone, Pep-Boys and all the other chain stores.

This is last years not weeks.

Gyeon TRIM


https://www.esotericcarcare.com/gyeon-q2-trim/
 
  #5  
Old 08-25-2018, 10:08 AM
NJ Mini's Avatar
NJ Mini
NJ Mini is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Do a search in the derailing forum. You’ll see many options from cleaners and dressings to dyes and coatings.

Forever black is a relatively inexpensive solution that’ll last quite a while and easy to use. The back to black will be a temporary solution but may suit your needs.
 
  #6  
Old 08-31-2018, 07:17 AM
bebevett's Avatar
bebevett
bebevett is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
New Wipes, get it at Walmart, around $10 bucks. works good and last long.
 
  #7  
Old 08-31-2018, 02:05 PM
ammodave's Avatar
ammodave
ammodave is offline
5th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Niceville Fl
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by bebevett
New Wipes, get it at Walmart, around $10 bucks. works good and last long.
Are you talking about this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wipe-New-Trim-Kit/52600448 ?
 
  #8  
Old 08-31-2018, 02:08 PM
Capt_bj's Avatar
Capt_bj
Capt_bj is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, FL
Posts: 7,040
Received 281 Likes on 237 Posts
technical tidbit

the trim isn't black ... it is a dark gray color ..... never was black (bought my first MINI in 2002)

if you use a black dye then .... you changed the color.

I've used Zymol since 1995 <on my Miata> ... $$ but a little goes a long way
not glossy nor does it have a 'run off' issue. Read application instructions ... works best when surface is WARM .....

https://www.zymol.com/vinyl.aspx

Probably didn’t help that I tried simple green, denatured alcohol and a little gasoline to clean off some finishing sealant.

that's an understatement!!!!! Full strength simple green will strip paint.

the detailing gods have probably put you on a hit list ....

What you were trying to clean was probably cosmoline, used as a protective coating during shipping. Sadly the very good coverage made by MINI b4 shipping (coating interior voids) makes full removal difficult and it is not unusual to see some 'seepage' for a few months. Discussions on this go back to 2002! There are many tricks for removing without hurting the plastic trim ... like peanut butter ..... smooth, not chunky
 

Last edited by Capt_bj; 08-31-2018 at 02:20 PM.
  #9  
Old 09-01-2018, 01:20 PM
bebevett's Avatar
bebevett
bebevett is offline
1st Gear
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ammodave
Yes, but here in Wisconsin its $10. I have used it on a formica slate pattern countertop, that got worn from sliding thing over, looks new again. Water, and wash every day, lasted about 8 months before reapply. also daughter used it on her shutter
 

Last edited by bebevett; 09-01-2018 at 01:32 PM.
  #10  
Old 09-10-2018, 01:32 PM
Kevinp_27's Avatar
Kevinp_27
Kevinp_27 is offline
2nd Gear
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 137
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I use aerospace 303 protectant and it works great
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Corey986
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
1
04-03-2008 07:18 AM
CRRIKEY
All other MINI parts and items for Sale (archive)
19
01-13-2008 07:58 AM
ImagoX
Detailing 101
11
05-18-2007 07:43 AM
itsthedirtybird
Interior/Exterior
1
12-14-2003 11:34 AM
Dan_C
Interior/Exterior
20
09-16-2003 01:42 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Plastic trim maintenance



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:29 AM.