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You talking about flat black plastics? We don't have much of that in the G, except under the hood. My wife's car, and my kid's Hyundai, however... plastic cladding galore!
And you know what works really, really well on that stuff? Meguiars Tire Gel. I swear it.
The lower grill on my front bumper became pretty faded (was parked outdoors for about 5 years, with the front end getting daily sun exposure).
Stuff called “solution finish” got the plastic trim back to a nice, deep black. And it has lasted. I believe SF is technically a dye.
The lower grill on my front bumper became pretty faded (was parked outdoors for about 5 years, with the front end getting daily sun exposure).
Stuff called “solution finish” got the plastic trim back to a nice, deep black. And it has lasted. I believe SF is technically a dye.
It's been a while since I tried anything new, been using tire gel for so long. I remember a product called Back to Black that was garbage. I don't have a high opinion about stuff from Mothers.
As for hard water spots, the trick to it is you need to fully dry the surface with a proper towel (if this is from washing on your own, sprinklers and other sources is another story), that way no deposits get left behind. Of course, easier said then done. The fix for removing hard water spots is using a acidic gel, 3D it's called eraser gel and Chemical Guys makes a similar product. Though that type of product you really, I mean really have to be careful with. You have only a short work envelope (I think 1 minute) to apply the gel and then you need to neutralize it with product such as 3D water-less wash and fully clean the surface. It will etch glass and cause damage if left on for a longer.
Of course, the alternative to washing with hard water is to use a product such as a foaming waterless wash was, 3D makes this too as well as other companies. I can try Eraser Gel the next time I am there as I would want to show her how to use the product: https://www.chemicalguys.com/product...r-spot-remover
As for trim "restorers" I believe most will just wash off or not last a meaningful amount of time and you simply just live with it. I could be wrong, but this is what I know from what I have seen.
I have always used Chemical Guys Bare Bones Dark shine for black trim and it works really well. Once a year I spent about 1-2 hours details the lower black grill with this stuff and it looks new for 6-8 months.
Thanks for the tip on the water spots as my daughter lives in an area where it will rain hard, then the sun pops out and dries everything up in an hour. Her car is really spotted now. I had her try Magic Eraser as that sometimes works. No cigar.
It is satisfying to see her want to take care of the car and keeping it looking as new as when she lived at home. Wish my son would do the same.
Last edited by socketz67; Sep 27, 2024 at 05:20 PM.
It's been a while since I tried anything new, been using tire gel for so long. I remember a product called Back to Black that was garbage. I don't have a high opinion about stuff from Mothers.
Mequiars, on the other hand.
Agree. The “blackeners” are hit and miss and Mothers lost their way after the time in the sun as the best aluminum mag wheel polish.
Adam’s tire shine is now my favorite tire dressing. I’ve lost count of how many others I’ve tried.
Last edited by socketz67; Sep 27, 2024 at 06:05 PM.
I use the spray on tire cleaner/dressing and a wheel shield. Those wheel shields are awesome for that stuff.
@Rochester Wheel shield is a ceramic/silicon coating of sorts? I had a couple of bad experiences with wheel cleaners, so I normally avoid applying anything to the wheels other than soap & water or wax.
The chrome wheels are even more particular than the painted ones. The chrome shop recommended using nitrogen in the tires vs air as it significantly reduces corrosion to the chrome on the inside of the wheel.
Last edited by socketz67; Sep 27, 2024 at 07:50 PM.
@Rochester Wheel shield is a ceramic/silicon coating of sorts?
It's a round plastic shield you put over the wheel when spraying product on the sidewall. It's perfect really. I have one that's 18" and one that's 19". Very handy.
I have always used Chemical Guys Bare Bones Dark shine for black trim and it works really well. Once a year I spent about 1-2 hours details the lower black grill with this stuff and it looks new for 6-8 months.
Thanks for the tip on the water spots as my daughter lives in an area where it will rain hard, then the sun pops out and dries everything up in an hour. Her car is really spotted now. I had her try Magic Eraser as that sometimes works. No cigar.
It is satisfying to see her want to take care of the car and keeping it looking as new as when she lived at home. Wish my son would do the same.
Sorry, for the water spots, I was referring to HARD water spots, like from washing with hard water or sprinklers. Water spots from rain, should simply wipe off, a wax or coating would help minimize this.
Last edited by Krzysztof47; Oct 6, 2024 at 07:22 PM.
For black plastics (and tires) I have had good luck with Adam's VRT.
I have not been active on the forums, but thought I would share a pic. I am almost done with an engine bay refresh, and will post pics when complete. In the meantime, I bet you can see one thing that was done...
In the meantime, I bet you can see one thing that was done...
Your headlight housings are painted, and maybe those are halos.
You've got a yellow tint on those fog lights, and maybe those are aftermarket LEDs.
Those vertical LED running lights next to the fogs aren't OEM.
The grille is painted black.
And there's something gold behind the grille... a long tube intake maybe?
Your headlight housings are painted, and maybe those are halos.
You've got a yellow tint on those fog lights, and maybe those are aftermarket LEDs.
Those vertical LED running lights next to the fogs aren't OEM.
The grille is painted black.
And there's something gold behind the grille... a long tube intake maybe?
How close am I, did I get them all?
It's been a while! You got all the "recent" changes, although some of them were done a while ago. The most recent is the gold behind the grill. I wrapped the intakes with heat shield as part of the engine bay redux. Lots of engine bay bling. Once the powder coater is done with my sway bar brackets, I will be able to take some pics.
Oh, and you inspired one of the things I did in the engine bay!
It's been a while! You got all the "recent" changes, although some of them were done a while ago. The most recent is the gold behind the grill. I wrapped the intakes with heat shield as part of the engine bay redux. Lots of engine bay bling. Once the powder coater is done with my sway bar brackets, I will be able to take some pics.
Oh, and you inspired one of the things I did in the engine bay!
VERY cool work on the LED animation, that's an awesome detail. Your sedan is fantastic. I bet we if we met up we'd talk for hours about the cars.
Looking forward to seeing your engine bay. I showed my engine bay to my daughter's boyfriend last week, and his reaction was priceless.
It's the little things, LOL.
[edit]
Oh hey, I see one more thing in your pic. You've got an aftermarket steering wheel.
It's like an Eye Spy game, hahaha
Thanks! Great eye! I didn't even notice the steering wheel was visible! Ha! It's a flat bottom wheel. It takes some getting used to.
I am pretty proud of the DRLs. Even wired them all professional like, with automotive grade connectors. Pic shows the DRL plug next too the fog plug. Like you said, it's the little things.
I swear it.
