[Cloud9...68]

...since the 968 doesn't have a whole lot of that non-porous, black, hard plastic trim found around the windows of most newer cars, but I was wondering what the opinions are out there regarding the best product to use on this type of trim, either on your 968, or your other cars? I just bought a new BMW 328i for my wife, and it has a pair of veritcal pieces between the front and rear doors made of this stuff, and I just know the hot Texas sun will turn these pieces into black chalk in no time if I don't do something to protect them. The 3-Series forum gave me recommendations for two products: Mothers Back to Black, and Aerospace 303. Any thoughts?



We're selling our 2004 Toyota Corolla, on which I used some Griots Garage bumper trim restoration stuff, and it really made a mess of my trim (lately, I'm growing more and more sour on the products I've used from Griots), so I'm wondering about trying some of Mothers plastic polish on this piece first, followed up by either the Back to Black, Aero 303, or whatever the consensus is in reponse to this post. Thoughts? Thanks!



[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='35087' date='May 5 2007, 05:21 PM']and it has a pair of veritcal pieces between the front and rear doors made of this stuff,[/quote]



I should say, between the side windows of the front and rear doors, not, obviously, betweent he doors themselves. And the closest the 968 has to having this sort of trim, I suppose, is around the rear hatch window in the coupe. So the topic is still "sorta" 968-relevant...

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[Harvey]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='35087' date='May 5 2007, 02:25 PM']...since the 968 doesn't have a whole lot of that non-porous, black, hard plastic trim found around the windows of most newer cars, but I was wondering what the opinions are out there regarding the best product to use on this type of trim, either on your 968, or your other cars? I just bought a new BMW 328i for my wife, and it has a pair of veritcal pieces between the front and rear doors made of this stuff, and I just know the hot Texas sun will turn these pieces into black chalk in no time if I don't do something to protect them. The 3-Series forum gave me recommendations for two products: Mothers Back to Black, and Aerospace 303. Any thoughts?



We're selling our 2004 Toyota Corolla, on which I used some Griots Garage bumper trim restoration stuff, and it really made a mess of my trim (lately, I'm growing more and more sour on the products I've used from Griots), so I'm wondering about trying some of Mothers plastic polish on this piece first, followed up by either the Back to Black, Aero 303, or whatever the consensus is in reponse to this post. Thoughts? Thanks!

I should say, between the side windows of the front and rear doors, not, obviously, betweent he doors themselves. And the closest the 968 has to having this sort of trim, I suppose, is around the rear hatch window in the coupe. So the topic is still "sorta" 968-relevant...[/quote]



I'm told to stay away from Silicone based stuff.



H2

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[ds968]

from everything I have tried the 303 has been far superior to any other product.

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[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='ds968' post='35090' date='May 5 2007, 05:54 PM']from everything I have tried the 303 has been far superior to any other product.[/quote]



Yes, I've heard nothing but great things about it. But does it even work on this completely non-porous hard plastic trim? It doesn't depend on its ability to soak into the material a bit? If not, this sounds like the way to go. I was appalled at what a mess both the Griots bumper care, and their vinyl and rubber treatment made, apparently because the non-porosity of the trim material caused the products to just slosh on the surface, leaving a very uneven, splotchy residue.

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[ds968]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='35094' date='May 5 2007, 04:34 PM']Yes, I've heard nothing but great things about it. But does it even work on this completely non-porous hard plastic trim? It doesn't depend on its ability to soak into the material a bit? If not, this sounds like the way to go. I was appalled at what a mess both the Griots bumper care, and their vinyl and rubber treatment made, apparently because the non-porosity of the trim material caused the products to just slosh on the surface, leaving a very uneven, splotchy residue.[/quote]





I use it on the rear spoiler and the door trim with amazing results - perfectly even, no residue and it has incredible longevity ! That spoiler looks "out of the box" new. I also use it on the dashboard because of its UV protection qualities - SPF 40 they claim.

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[Darryl]

The trim on the BMW your referring to is actually painted. It is a satin black Wurth paint much like the Wurth silver for Porsche and BMW wheels. I've cleaned and polished a number of BMWs and simply waxed and sealed those pieces along the windows. My neighbor has a similar trim piece down both sides of the roof on her 325i and I waxed it right along with the car. If it gets oxidized, you can use some paint cleaner/polish first and simply apply your favorite wax. Here's a before and after of the oxidized trim on the roof and the results of paint cleaner/polish.



You're right about the non-porous properties...it's hard plastic that's painted!



I too vote for 303 for dash and other trim.



- Darryl

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[Cloud9...68]

Now this makes perfect sense! No matter how great products like Aerospace 303 are, I can't imagine them absorbing properly into the type of trim I'm thinking of. Thanks, Darryl, for pointing out these pieces are painted. I'll wax them, and use a high quality plastic/vinyl protectant like Aero 303 on the unpainted pieces.



Now for a tougher question. About a year ago, I used Griots Garage Bumper & Trim Reconditioner, which is actually a dye, on the (what I now realize are painted) plastic window trim pieces on my wife's 2004 Corolla. As you might expect, this left a very splotchy, uneven-looking appearance. Any suggestions as to how to get this stuff off without damaging the plastic underneath? Mothers makes a plastic polish - would this stuff, applies with a random orbital polisher, likely get the residue off? Or would it be better to use some kind of chemical?



I realize this is getting really off topic from the 968 world, but maybe the advice here will help someone else with a similar problem. Thanks!

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[saxman]

Believe it or not, peanut butter does absolute wonders for those black trim pieces

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[sasilverbullet]

Once you get it clean - Vinylex. Awesome product, used it for years...doesn't leave a residue, won't yellow, and really protects against UV rays!

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[Dave]

[quote name='sasilverbullet' post='35121' date='May 6 2007, 08:11 PM']Once you get it clean - Vinylex. Awesome product, used it for years...doesn't leave a residue, won't yellow, and really protects against UV rays![/quote]



+ 1 on Vinylex. I have had pretty good results over the years with this product as well.

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[flash]

i like the 303 and have been using it for decades



i really like the meguier's vinyl stuff, but it's nearly impossible to find



stp son-of-a-gun has always ben really good too



do not use armor-all

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='ds968' post='35098' date='May 5 2007, 05:48 PM']I use it on the rear spoiler and the door trim with amazing results - perfectly even, no residue and it has incredible longevity ! That spoiler looks "out of the box" new. I also use it on the dashboard because of its UV protection qualities - SPF 40 they claim.[/quote]



Which 303 product are you referring to?



http://www.properautocare.com/303.html?gcl...CFQUQFQodwlCCbg



I tried forever black on my wing and it was very uneven. I plan on removing that layer and applying something else.

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[flash]

when it comes to "even" the key to any of these things is NOT to spray it directly on the item you are working on - spray it on the rag

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='flash' post='35141' date='May 7 2007, 08:48 AM']when it comes to "even" the key to any of these things is NOT to spray it directly on the item you are working on - spray it on the rag[/quote]



Forever black has a sponge applicator built on. The outcome however was still inconsistent.

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[flash]

yeah, i think those sponge things still put too much in one spot relative to the next - try it on the rag - it may still suck, and some of those chemicals just do, but i've found they all work better when used on a rag and not directly onto the vinyl or plastic - all of the detailing guides will tell you that too - most of the bottles even say it right on them

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[ds968]

[quote name='rhudeboye' post='35136' date='May 7 2007, 08:06 AM']Which 303 product are you referring to?

http://www.properautocare.com/303.html?gcl...CFQUQFQodwlCCbg

I tried forever black on my wing and it was very uneven. I plan on removing that layer and applying something else.[/quote]





The " Aerospace Protectant " - first one on the linked site

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[saxman]

seems no one has jumped on my peanut butter idea....





I'm telling you, it works great!





But then again, I also use flour when cleaning my wheels... takes the brake dust right off.

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[Cloud9...68]

But I think you guys are all missing the point that Darryl made. While I'm sure there are a number of products that do a great job on unpainted plastics, which are fairly porous in nature, painted plastics ar a whole different matter. I've tried a couple of products on painted plastics that work well on unpainted plastic, and I got the result Rhudeboy described with Forever Black - they just smear around on the surface, leaving a splotchy appearance. I think Darryl is dead on that painted plastic parts need to be waxed. Did that to my wife's BMW trim, and it looks great. now I just need to figure out how to get the Griot's bumper die off the painted trim on the Corolla. Darryl - any ideas?

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[flash]

i've never had a problem with painted plastic - 409 works well - wax would too, since it's paint, but that presumes the paint is able to accept the wax



like i said though, i like meguier's the best - makes the plastic look great - painted or injected color seems to be the same result - the black plastic on our dash is a great example

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[Darryl]

Hi all,



I've been following the thread and Cloud said exactly what I was thinking...we're getting off track on what pieces/parts were trying to clean and what to use. Any non-porous item will reject any surface product...just basic sense...won't soak it up. I don't think anyone is arguing that fact.



I'm not familiar with the Toyota parts you refer to...haven't seen one up close in a while. Can you send me a pic? I'll keep my eyes out. Sight unseen, I would think you would be able to use a paint cleaner such as Meguire's Step 1 - they have a three step off the shelf cleaner/polish system that does a decent job - to get it back down to the paint. I'm also not familiar enough with the specific Griot's Garage product that you used and what it's ingedients may be. I know some of the bumper trim products do contain dyes, but if our theory is correct that it didn't get absorbed, then it should just be adhering to the surface and should be able to be "cleaned". I personally don't use any dyes on bumper trim...just Back to Black for me. If your trim is that far gone, you may be better off replacing those parts, assuming they're available and cost effective.



Flash and all the rest are right on the money when it comes to vinyl, plastic and such. I use most of the Meguires Gold Class off the shelf items including their Quik Detail Interior spray and wipes and the Gold Class leather wipes work fantastic. Buff it immediately after application with a dry towel and you get a medium shine but with no greasy feel. You have to touch it to convince yourself it's not greasy. Keep Armor All far away from you car(s)!



Cloud...PM or e-mail the Toyota info...



- Darryl

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