Black plastic treatment

[Gandoolie]

Good evening all,

The exterior black plastic trim on the Mini is looking very tired now, what products would people recommend to bring it back to life that will last? I’ve used Back-to-Black previously and found it to be terrible!

Thanks in advance

[Summit_Detailing]

Solution Finish

https://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product/solution-fi...

Ensure the trim is as clean as possible before application.

Cheers,

Chris

p.s don't forget to wear gloves!

[Gandoolie]

Summit_Detailing said:

Solution Finish

https://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product/solution-fi...

Ensure the trim is as clean as possible before application.

Cheers,

Chris

p.s don't forget to wear gloves!

Looks a top product in videos!

[randlemarcus]

I find Linseed oil and white spirit gives a long lasting deep black shine. Try not to get it on the paint, as although it beads wonderfully, when you try and wash it off, it goes all black and bally, like sellotape residue.

[Antony Moxey]

I find this stuff works pretty well: https://www.autoglym.com/products/bodywork/plastic...

[Dolf Stoppard]

Gtechniq C4 is the best - but not cheap. I've got a MINI and a bottle will give at least a couple of treatments. Clean with all purpose cleaner first and then a couple of drops will do a wheel arch, side trim etc.

[p4cks]

Dolf Stoppard said:

Gtechniq C4 is the best - but not cheap. I've got a MINI and a bottle will give at least a couple of treatments. Clean with all purpose cleaner first and then a couple of drops will do a wheel arch, side trim etc.

This. Absolutely superb stuff

[anonymous-user]

Allegedly peanut butter works

Check your cars not anaphylactic tho

[robdcfc]

If you slowly move a heat gun across the plastic it will bring the colour back to the surface

[coldel]

Ive tried both C4 and Solution Finish, and the latter is definitely the better of the two. Solution Finish is one of those products that just doesn't get the air time it deserves as its not in a range of a typical popular brand.

[Smint]

The best thing is to feed the plastic regularly so it doesn't dry out and need drastic refurbishment.

Auto Smart's 'Finish' does a good job and leaves a nice finish, also cheap enough bought by the 5 litre bottle to last you several years of regular feeding of such parts.

[Winky151]

robdcfc said:

If you slowly move a heat gun across the plastic it will bring the colour back to the surface

This & then use one of the sealing products quoted above.

[smokey mow]

Iwantafusca said:

Allegedly peanut butter works

Check your cars not anaphylactic tho

I can confirm this does work very well, although it does need reapplying quite often to keep the shine.

I suggest using the smooth though rather than chunky, I could only get the latter from my local happy shopper and it does make a bit of a mess!

[Demelitia]

robdcfc said:

If you slowly move a heat gun across the plastic it will bring the colour back to the surface

All this does is makes the plastic sweat out anything that used to keep it flexible and dark. Once what you have sweated out gets washed off, you’re left with plastic that’s in worse condition than before.

[ninjag]

Avoid heat gun, I've tried it and it just draws out the oils in the plastic to make a temporary fix but a long term problem.

Clean and then Olive Oil. Let it absorb over a week or so and apply another coat. Keep going until sorted then use a product which will provide UV protection for long term protection.

[Belle427]

Solution finish as suggested is probably the best and longest lasting, everything else needs re applying weekly.

[Chubbyross]

C4 is indeed excellent stuff but I’d save your money and buy Carpro Perl. It’s just as good but you can also use it for tyre dressing as well, and diluted for bringing interior leathers up to like-new condition. It’s fantastic stuff.

[coldel]

I also know in the old days car dealers would often apply boot polish to faded plastics to make it look good ... longevity it didnt have though!

[chippy348]

Chubbyross said:

C4 is indeed excellent stuff but I’d save your money and buy Carpro Perl. It’s just as good but you can also use it for tyre dressing as well, and diluted for bringing interior leathers up to like-new condition. It’s fantastic stuff.

I brought both, the C4 is still in the box, the Perl is amazing stuff !

I do a lot of motorcycle resto's, the stuff is amazing for making old plastic and rubber parts look new, and it lasts a very very long time.

[Chubbyross]

chippy348 said:

Chubbyross said:

C4 is indeed excellent stuff but I’d save your money and buy Carpro Perl. It’s just as good but you can also use it for tyre dressing as well, and diluted for bringing interior leathers up to like-new condition. It’s fantastic stuff.

I brought both, the C4 is still in the box, the Perl is amazing stuff !

I do a lot of motorcycle resto's, the stuff is amazing for making old plastic and rubber parts look new, and it lasts a very very long time.

Same with me. I have an unopened box of C4 in my detailing cupboard. Once you use Perl nothing else will do. It’s so versatile- great for interiors diluted, perfect for plastics and the best tyre dressing out there. As you say, it lasts ages.