Boiled linseed oil actually works!!

[VinceFox]

Took a bit of a gamble and spent 2 quid on a bottle off ebay. Has to be boiled though.

Took black plastic trim off my front bumper, thoroughly washed and dried, wiped on linseed oil, wiped excess off and left to dry before refitting.

Just got in this evening after driving home in the rain, it hasnt run, smeared or washed off. The black plastic trim is super wetlook and beading the same as the painted surfaces around it.

Just a heads up, it's the cheapest thing ive ever used to do blackwork and works far, far better than anything else ive ever tried.

Edited by VinceFox on Wednesday 25th January 22:34

[domster]

Sounds like a good tip but see what longevity/durability is like? What's it like after a wash or two?

[jagnet]

Interesting. I presume the plastic trim was already in good condition and not faded? Not sure how well it would work as a restorative product, and the lack of UV protection would concern me in the long term.

Can't beat a little kitchen lab based experimentation though

[domster]

It should work well on UV damaged trim in theory as the oils will 're-wet' the damaged surface, but the question is longevity. If the oils dry out within the week, or get washed away by a car shampoo, then it won't be so good and regular application will be needed.

[VinceFox]

Two days of driving in rain and no fading or wash off yet. I'll let you know how it fares after a good wash.

I did the scuttle panel too, that was about as faded as plastic can get.

[theshrew]

Id think that rain would run straight off it. Its after you wash the car id think you will stand a chance of removing the oil.

To restore bumpers / trim etc use a heat gun brings them up like new apparently but it will only work once.

The other thing i found by accident years ago. Was i was polishing my car with that turtle wax coloir match stuff ( black ) ended up getting some on my trim and it stained it i couldnt remove it.

[LLH]

Hi Vincefox, not sure if you are aware, or if it is still a risk once boiled, but we have had issues offshore with cloths (that were used to mop up some linseed oil that was spilled), spontaneosuly combusting!!!

[VinceFox]

LLH said:

Hi Vincefox, not sure if you are aware, or if it is still a risk once boiled, but we have had issues offshore with cloths (that were used to mop up some linseed oil that was spilled), spontaneosuly combusting!!!

Yeah i'd heard of that happening too. The stuff i'm uaing is boiled, not sure if that helps or not.

As an update, it lasts about 2 weeks in rain/poor weather and through at least one good wash.

[jagnet]

It lasted longer than I thought it would then

I'll stick to GTechniq C4. Not as cheap but it does last a couple of years.

[VinceFox]

jagnet said:

It lasted longer than I thought it would then

I'll stick to GTechniq C4. Not as cheap but it does last a couple of years.

Maybe i'll give that a go next. Bloody hate it when black trim goes off.

[jagnet]

Yep, nothing ages a car like faded trim. GTechniq coatings really are very very good.

With the C4 you need to make sure that the surface is properly cleaned first with IPA, and don't apply below 5 C, which could be an issue at the moment unless you've got a heated garage.

Video of C4 being applied to some very faded Porsche trim

[sospan]

I've seen a tip saying smooth peanut butter works well!
The oils have same effect as other oils.