Restoring Color to Your Plastic Trim

[mtbtim]

Howdy,

I always wanted to do something about the faded plastic trim on my 2000 Toyota 4runner SR5 ever since buying the truck a couple years ago. I found a product made by Detail King called "Trim Kote". I also used another product of theirs called "Revival Bumper and Trim Dressing". I have to say I'm very impressed with the results and highly recommend it. I don't know how durable it's going to be over time, but I figure I can just re-apply the product when needed if it starts to get dull again or gets scratched up.

Here's a video I made of the process:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3V-fiBPU56w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[infamousRNR]

Howdy,

I always wanted to do something about the faded plastic trim on my 2000 Toyota 4runner SR5 ever since buying the truck a couple years ago. I found a product made by Detail King called "Trim Kote". I also used another product of theirs called "Revival Bumper and Trim Dressing". I have to say I'm very impressed with the results and highly recommend it. I don't know how durable it's going to be over time, but I figure I can just re-apply the product when needed if it starts to get dull again or gets scratched up.

Sweet video Tim. Thanks for sharing for those who are fed up with their faded trim. I used a different product on my SR5 but my faded again over time. It would be nice to see how long this lasts before another application is required

 

[dgoll75]

As a guy that has a detailing business, I have done TONS of research and spent a ton of $ and not found any detailing specific products that offer great looks and long term results even though they claim to do just that. I have actually bought junkyard black faded plastic parts and tested dressings over time. I can suggest 2 ways to get lasting results; remove the parts, properly prep them and paint them (my SR5 fender flares are still shiny after 5 years with a quality rattle-can black gloss), or try the heat gun method. I have personally seen amazing results with this method, but if rushed I also have seen terrible halo ring permanent effects. Slow and steady is the only way when using the heat gun. If you can test a hidden spot and see how your plastic parts react you can truly get OEM results with a heat gun. At least here in hot and sunny FL many detailing products work great, but just like your tires, you'll likely have to reapply a coating in due time.

 

[StreetCreeper]

...or try the heat gun method. I have personally seen amazing results with this method, but if rushed I also have seen terrible halo ring permanent effects. Slow and steady is the only way when using the heat gun. If you can test a hidden spot and see how your plastic parts react you can truly get OEM results with a heat gun. At least here in hot and sunny FL many detailing products work great, but just like your tires, you'll likely have to reapply a coating in due time.

I second the heat gun method. Below is a pic of my first attempt with a heat gun on the back trim of a 1997 Ltd. California truck that spent most of its life under harsh sunlight and high heat.

If I were to do it again, I would first scrub it down well to remove any surface grime, then hit it with the heat gun. However, I am more than satisfied with my initial effort of hitting it with the heat gun without any prep beforehand.

 

[mtbtim]

I second the heat gun method. Below is a pic of my first attempt with a heat gun on the back trim of a 1997 Ltd. California truck that spent most of its life under harsh sunlight and high heat.

If I were to do it again, I would first scrub it down well to remove any surface grime, then hit it with the heat gun. However, I am more than satisfied with my initial effort of hitting it with the heat gun without any prep beforehand.

I wonder what exactly is occurring with the plastic that is restoring the black color when using a heat gun. Is it bringing oils back to the surface? Those are impressive results but I also wonder how long it lasts and whether or not subsequent attempts will render the same results. Also, when you're using the heat gun near the truck paint on the fender flares, are you risking messing up your clear coat?

 

[mtbtim]

As a guy that has a detailing business, I have done TONS of research and spent a ton of $ and not found any detailing specific products that offer great looks and long term results even though they claim to do just that. I have actually bought junkyard black faded plastic parts and tested dressings over time. I can suggest 2 ways to get lasting results; remove the parts, properly prep them and paint them (my SR5 fender flares are still shiny after 5 years with a quality rattle-can black gloss), or try the heat gun method. I have personally seen amazing results with this method, but if rushed I also have seen terrible halo ring permanent effects. Slow and steady is the only way when using the heat gun. If you can test a hidden spot and see how your plastic parts react you can truly get OEM results with a heat gun. At least here in hot and sunny FL many detailing products work great, but just like your tires, you'll likely have to reapply a coating in due time.

Thanks for the response. Time will tell how durable this Trim Kote product is. I'll update this thread and show pics as time goes on to document whether or not this was a good choice for restoring the color to the trim on my truck.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I wonder what exactly is occurring with the plastic that is restoring the black color when using a heat gun. Is it bringing oils back to the surface? Those are impressive results but I also wonder how long it lasts and whether or not subsequent attempts will render the same results. Also, when you're using the heat gun near the truck paint on the fender flares, are you risking messing up your clear coat?

That is my understanding of the process. Just the oils being brought to the surface.

As for longevity, I can't say. I did mine about a week or two ago and there is no discernible difference so far. I would assume that it will last as long as it did from when it was new. In my case that is about 20 years.

I never tried it on my fender flares as I have painted limited flares. But I did use it on my paint to remove a prehistoric sap spot that was there long before I got my truck. Despite the heat being high enough to boil the sap — I saw no damage to my paint except where the sap removed it.

Now that I think of it though, I don't think my truck ever came with a clear coat at all.

 

[CoupeSprinter]

I've tried many dressing products throughout the years on my black-bumpered cars and found this product to work best, Auto Magic XP Renew-It.

It has a rub-on application that is silicone-based. It's not oily/sticky (so it doesn't attract dust/dirt) and stands up well to the Hawaiian sun.

Edit: Here's the bumper of my 1986 Toyota Corolla

 

[D Farms]

there are no "oils" in the plastic. most likely the polymer chains are rearanging and the oxidized surface is getting mixed in with the rest of the plastic. this only works on thermoplastics though, it wouldnt work on thermosets.

 

[viaotone]

I would first scrub it down well to remove any surface grime

 

[GangsterOfLove]

What would you say is the advantage of using the Detail King product over using trim paint?

 

[mtbtim]

What would you say is the advantage of using the Detail King product over using trim paint?

Is the trim paint a spray on or a paint on application? If it's a spray on, the benefit of the Detail King Trim Kote product is you can apply it while the trim and bumpers are on the vehicle by taping off the paint and chrome areas. With a spray product, I'd be worried about overspray onto your vehicle paint, chrome and windows unless you masked off the whole vehicle which would be more work. Or, you'd have to pull off all the fender flares, running boards, mud flaps, bumpers and other trim to paint them separate and away from the vehicle. If the trim paint is a paint on application, I think it would be equal with the Detail King product and then it would be the durability test over time which would be better.

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Makes sense.

Thanks!

 

[OpenYota]

Thanks for the response. Time will tell how durable this Trim Kote product is. I'll update this thread and show pics as time goes on to document whether or not this was a good choice for restoring the color to the trim on my truck.

Soooo, how did it hold up?

 

[PrinceValorum]

Soooo, how did it hold up?

This comparison doesn't include the Trim Kote, but he does compare how 25 products have held up over 9 months with weekly checks (in other videos).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChngpJx-Jec" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>