jdp123
09-02-2005, 09:08 PM
My 2003 LS has faded wiper cowl, door bumpers, rocker panel trim, luggage rails, and rear bumper plastic pieces. It also has the faded rubber window trim. After the research I have done I it looks like there is seperate approach for the textured plastic and the rubber trim.
Textured Plastic:
From all I have read about Back to Black and Forever Black they work but only for a couple of weeks and then leave greasy residue on the paint after getting wet. Almost all of the trim detailers I have researched only have temporary effects and leave residue after wetting. My ride is pewter and I have seen this before, it doesnt come off easily. Not having and selling a permant trim solution does makes sense, as a permant trim solution would decrease sales. So I figured the the Avalanche guys would have had to come up with something as the issue would be so much more noticable for them. (http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/board,111.0.html) It seems that alot of them use polymer based wax, but it needs reapplication frequentlly. Alot of them also use Armstrong floor cleaner to clean the trim of wax residue and gunk, then use Future or Futura Floor wax to shine and preserve. Floor wax is designed for high traffic vinyl and plastic flooring, so it has some logic. No UV protection, so they say coat with 303 afterwards. Using floor wax on my ride seems scary, but there are tons of long term success stories. I read that some are getting up to six months of shine before reapplication is even considered but not needed. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Rubber Trim:
I understand rubber trim can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove the gunk, then polished with RainX with four months of shine. Makes sense as I have heard this is how to treat windshield wiper rubber and I usually get about 3 to 4 months out of a windshield treated with RainX. Anyone have any thoughts?
Just my research into finding a solution to the irritating fading trim, which makes the truck look alot older than it is, and am just looking for thoughts and possible negative effects before experimenting.
Textured Plastic:
From all I have read about Back to Black and Forever Black they work but only for a couple of weeks and then leave greasy residue on the paint after getting wet. Almost all of the trim detailers I have researched only have temporary effects and leave residue after wetting. My ride is pewter and I have seen this before, it doesnt come off easily. Not having and selling a permant trim solution does makes sense, as a permant trim solution would decrease sales. So I figured the the Avalanche guys would have had to come up with something as the issue would be so much more noticable for them. (http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/board,111.0.html) It seems that alot of them use polymer based wax, but it needs reapplication frequentlly. Alot of them also use Armstrong floor cleaner to clean the trim of wax residue and gunk, then use Future or Futura Floor wax to shine and preserve. Floor wax is designed for high traffic vinyl and plastic flooring, so it has some logic. No UV protection, so they say coat with 303 afterwards. Using floor wax on my ride seems scary, but there are tons of long term success stories. I read that some are getting up to six months of shine before reapplication is even considered but not needed. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Rubber Trim:
I understand rubber trim can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove the gunk, then polished with RainX with four months of shine. Makes sense as I have heard this is how to treat windshield wiper rubber and I usually get about 3 to 4 months out of a windshield treated with RainX. Anyone have any thoughts?
Just my research into finding a solution to the irritating fading trim, which makes the truck look alot older than it is, and am just looking for thoughts and possible negative effects before experimenting.