Or cheaper option...peanut butter.
Not even kidding.

 

I actually heard that years ago but blew it off. Peanut oil may be better? It's also an organic product and I'd imagine not that stable in the hot sun for a long duration.

 

Not sure if anyone has use for this but for the weather stripping seal that is located on the door, I use petrolatum. It helps the seal keep its form and function and prevents dry rot down the road as well. Just apply to seal and wipe of excess. For ease of convenience petrolatum is the main thing in Vaseline.

 

Also giving one of them a try! Thanks Zach!
Also another way would be to just vinyl wrap it a gloss or satin black color. And for those who.dont know how to vinyl wrap with skill you can always plasti dip it. Ugh I can't believe I actually just recommended plasti dip for anything but it's the easier route to go.

 

Go take a time out Kenny

 

 

303 aerospace works good also. It may not bring back the original black color of the trim but it offers UV protection.

 

Ordered 303 Aerospace for cars..I'll report back when I get a chance to use it. The cost per ounce is far more reasonable than some of the other suggestions.

 

Please keep us posted and don't forget! And some before/after pictures would be awesome if it isn't to much trouble!

 

I can do that. It's supposed to rain all week so it'll be next week before I try it. The trim looks like new now, want to keep it this way!

 

The difference between 303 and the trim coatings I recommended is that 303 is a very temporary option that will need to be applied after each car wash. The trim coatings will last 1+ years! In the end, there is no right or wrong approach... it just depends on how much time and effort you want to spend to keep your vehicle looking good. I personally chose to spend more time and money up front by applying the most durable protection to all parts of the vehicle so that I can spend less time and effort maintaining it

Zach McGovern
Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog Author
Attention to Detailing - Peoria, IL

 

Valid point. I'll start with the 303 and if I don't like what I'm experiencing, I'll give your recommended product a try. I'm just a bit wary of expensive chemicals in tiny bottles. My father is a chemical engineer and was in the business (retired) and his feedback was a real eye opener on lots of products across the consumer spectrum.

 

This works...I just used it on my side mirror trim. It had faded and with this it looks brand new. This is not like the other crappy creams like back to black etc..those all make worn out trim and plastics look good and then a couple washes it looks like crap again. Wipe new is what they call a nano-polymer formula. Its more like a clear coat...this is more for bigger areas because you do not want to get this on the paint...

First try using a magic eraser -this is enough some times to clean up and then apply back to black or something like it this may be all you need. If however it is more faded use the wipe new and remove the trim and apply it and it will look perfect. If you dont remove the trim it will be real hard to get every little area with this and not get it on the paint etc..then use the 303 to protect.

303 will not make your trim look better, it maintains the finish of the plastic and only mildly improves. If it is already faded it will still look faded ... it does not improve only maintains.

 

Before

AFTER Used a magic eraser then alcohol to clean up then applied the wipe new. I will then use 303 to protect.

 

Looks pretty similar to mine. It stopped raining today for the first time in two weeks so I washed my car despite the fact it's going to rain tomorrow. Grr.

Anyway, the 303's decent enough I guess...not looking for a shine, prefer a satin which it pretty much is. My main concern is UV protection from the brutal Texas mid-summer sun which it supposedly does. There's so little black trim on the G37 Coupe this bottle will last me the life of the car. Seems to work better on textured plastic than the smooth stuff where it can get streaky by using too much. It's a pain to get off the glass but I'd guess most products like this are.

Before...completely matte finish, slightly off black. Can really see this part fading over time if not treated.



Drove the car into the cool garage to apply so it's not the same light.


Plastic trim around trunk


Side view mirror