[REVIEW] Auto Black

[nyvram]

[REVIEW] Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye

Quick review of this product:

Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

Some of the pics didn't come out that great because of the direct sunlight, but here are the highlights:

NOTE: I used the 'index cards' method of shoving index cards between the trim and 4runner all around the fenders and under the running boards. Made super fast work of the job after that.
NOTE2: The dye comes off the paint very easily, so no worries if you spill some on it..just use a little elbow grease.

GOOD/Highlights
- 5 STARS FOR HOW IT LOOKS ON TRIM!!! 0 STARS for metal.
- All the trim (particularly the front which was almost WHITE it was so gray; didn't come out very well with my camera but trust me; the front trim was plain AWFUL. the transformation is amazing.
- Running boards, rear bumper, fender trim all came out fantastic!
- Weathertech mats would not return to their old black state no matter how much I cleaned them..they look SO GOOD dyed now.
- Also did MIDDLE of steering wheel and trim behind it..not the actual wheel as I have a leather cover, the shifter knobs (not the leather cover) and parking brake..they look fantastic..you can see where the parking brake goes into the trim how much lighter it was before.
- I put 2-3 coats on every piece of trim including the mats, the bottle was perfect size to handle all trim, mats & interior..I used every drop.

BAD/Lowlights
- Does NOT work at all on metal particularly the rear spoiler. Very spotty and streaky to the point I ended up painting the spoiler later.
- Does NOT work on the luggage rack; I put before and after pics below even though you can't tell them apart.
- Does NOT work on the front grill..made it look absolutely awful to the point I had to go and buy paint to fix it..(last pic below)
- Does NOT work on the trailer hitch.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

WEATHERTECH LEFT MAT and LEFT HALF OF REAR MAT..they look MUCH better than this picture makes them look..also this was after the first coat..I put 2 coats on and they look FANTASTIC now!!! Yes, those are CLEAN; it looks like dirt in the ridges but I hit them with a pressure washer and scrubbed them to death..that's just how they look after being in my 4runner for 5 years.

Finally, this is in my garage later with the front grill also painted.

FINAL UPDATE -- pics of steering wheel, parking brake and mats in the car (crummy phone camera)

 

[Four-CLT]

Good Review

I have used this product for years on several cars with excellent results. I agree with your findings. It works best on molded trim and leaves a lot to be desired with painted surfaces. Anyone with a faded bumper cap and/or black molded flares should give this a try. It seems to hold the color for about 6 months or so. One tip: NEVER let it dry anywhere you don't want it. It's a dye and hell to get off.

 

[nyvram]

thanks! hoping it lasts a little longer than 6 months..will keep an eye out and post back as to how well it holds up over time.

oh and dont laugh at my tailgate. i backed into a mailbox and it was going to cost $2000 to replace the tailgate so i went to a local body shop and asked if they could get the window working again for $100, that's the solution..i hit right where the motor lives so they had to mount it using that ugly bolt and put some thick tar-like sealer on the cracks. i just left the dent in it..works 100% just looks ugly.

 

[Four-CLT]

I guess I was quoting longevity when I lived in central Florida. I recently put in on the bumper cap last May (in NC) and it still looks new.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

I also reviewed it here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/91622-faded-trim-roof-rack.html

I love the stuff.

 

[nyvram]

I also reviewed it here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/91622-faded-trim-roof-rack.html

I love the stuff.

you're my inspiration! that's why i bought it in the first place.

 

[Chandler_Ross]

I've always wanted to try this on my plasti dipped bumpers. Not sure if the chemicals would mix though. Nice review! would love to see more in depth reviews like this on the forum!

 

[absalom]

Great review, thanks. So many people overlook trim and undercarriage when detailing their trucks.

 

[nyvram]

alright, one last photo..notice i went ahead & painted the spoiler and towing hitch just to make everything look consistent..i did NOT use the Forever Black on those

 

[sportscarfan]

Nice! My wife would love for me to re-black the trim...
Now you know you are going to want to replace the tailgate since the rest looks so good!

 

[nyvram]

Nice! My wife would love for me to re-black the trim...
Now you know you are going to want to replace the tailgate since the rest looks so good!

lol not for $2,000!!! if i spend $2,000+ on anything with this vehicle it will be for a transmission.

ps interior shots are coming..just bought a land rover defender shifter knob so i'll get a shot of it, the weathertechs and the steering wheel dye job.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Then at least do something about those taillights!

 

[nyvram]

Lol they came with the car.. I'm not a fan either

 

[nyvram]

Hey, added a couple pics to original post of the steering wheel, weathertech mats in the car, parking brake and 4WD shifter knob just for completeness.

Also swapped out the 5sp shifter..PITA..with a Land Rover Defender shifter. I dig it!

 

[T4R2014]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking at that product for my flares. Your 4Runner looks good too. The paint doesn't show the mileage. You could probably find a used hatch door at a wrecker for way less than 2k.

 

[nyvram]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking at that product for my flares. Your 4Runner looks good too. The paint doesn't show the mileage. You could probably find a used hatch door at a wrecker for way less than 2k.

thanks! i cheated..i use maguire's cleaning wax when i wash it and it makes the paint look really good for awhile.

there are actually a couple of problems w/ the tailgate:

1. even if i get one for half price ($1k) at a junkyard i'd have to remove it myself right...? and then i'm probably looking at a couple hundred dollars at least to have it installed correctly..not sure I'm ready to tackle that as a DIY job.

2. doubtful i'd find one the same color so i'm looking at probably another couple hundred dollars at least to prime and paint it..and it will never match as well as the original.

3. the orignal is still 100% functional..if ugly..i kinda like that BIG ASS BOLT through the back the window motor is mounted to

4. i love my T4R but if i spend that kind of money on it i'd do something like a tranny swap or rebuild since mine is starting to act up.

 

[nyvram]

sorry to bump an old thread..but rather than start another one i thought i'd just add to this...

anyone try this on their tires?? i know it probably won't last very long..but rather than doing that funky armor-all tire shine..dye your tires matte black so they look newer longer.

just curious