I've probably bought almost every product over the years.

Adams VRT is very good, but you need to wipe off paint, does not damage it, just accumulates

Good old Armorall works great unless there is a lot of oxidation (gray)...

basically the ones with more solvent-type carriers (your cloth always comes back black) will bring color back better but will continue removing good plastic too with every application

the better ones, that will come back white (most liquids are white) after the plastic/rubber has all the oxidation is removed are better long term (i.e. they remove oxidation, not "good" rubber/plastic).

back to black is good stuff, will self limit and attack heavily oxidized plastic and rubber

 

I really like Back To Black; however, it it temporary, needs to be done every few months to keep it looking black at least in North Carolina climate

 

Thanks for your helpful insights!

 

I have always used Turtle Wax Color Magic with good results: Amazon.com: Turtle Wax 52708 Color Magic Car Paintwork Polish Restores Colour & Shine Black 500ml : Automotive

Essentially, it is a colored wax.

 

I have always used Turtle Wax Color Magic with good results: Amazon.com: Turtle Wax 52708 Color Magic Car Paintwork Polish Restores Colour & Shine Black 500ml : Automotive

Essentially, it is a colored wax.

. I wonder if you use a graphine spray wax if it will help prevent this

 

Thanks much for your suggestion!

 

Your local walcart and autopart stores have options.

Turtlewax, Mothers, Meguiars..... all worked great here.

Tried the cerakote trimcoat and will go back to the local store options next year. Don't see the need to hunt online for the latest greatest when the big 3 wax companies all have a great solution. Was hoping the niche brand would be better.

Hybrid Solutions Graphene Acrylic Trim Restorer

Restore and protect faded trim with Hybrid Solutions Graphene Acrylic Trim Restorer. Provides UV protection & long-lasting deep black shine. Shop now!

www.turtlewax.com

Back-to-Black® Trim & Plastic Restorer

Remove light oxidation, dirt, wax residue and surface film with ease, bringing back that like-new color and protecting against further deterioration. Shop now:

mothers.com

https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-g250100-heavy-duty-trim-restoration-kit

CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Restoration Kit

Cerakote Trim Coat is a ceramic coating, not a trim dressing, for automotive trim restoration and protection guaranteed to last 200 washes! Bonds to the pores of unpainted plastic trim, restoring it to its original appearance.

cerakoteceramics.com

Tire+Trim Gel Plastic and Rubber High-Gloss Restorer and Protectant | Chemical Guys

Tire and Trim Gel restores faded trim and tires with factory fresh, wet-black shine, then protects against dirt, water, and harmful UV rays.

www.chemicalguys.com

Ceramic Trim Restorer, 16 Ounces

Ceramic Trim Restorer gel restores and protects trim, tires, interior vinyl, and plastic to a deep, rich satin sheen. Non-sling, and fast drying formula.

www.griotsgarage.com

Adam's Black Trim Restorer

Black Trim Restorer is a temporary dye coloring to bring back a nice dark color to faded exterior trim pieces. Can be used on grey & black trim to darken and enhance the look. Black Trim Restorer Lasts for months to protect your trim from further fading & can be reapplied as needed.

adamspolishes.com

Stoner Car Care Trim Shine (Aerosol)

Trim Shine quickly restores to an OEM Finish! Stoner Car Care’s Trim Shine brightens and rejuvenates interior and exterior trim. Its water-based formula provides season-long durability. Renew Color and Brilliance Trim Shine revives faded plastic, vinyl, rubber, and leather. Protects Against...

stonercarcare.com

Pinnacle Onyx Trim Restorer 8 oz

Revive your vehicle's trim with Pinnacle Onyx Trim Restorer! Our pigment-rich formula brings back the rich black color to plastic and vinyl trim, providing a long-lasting matte finish. Say goodbye to fading and oxidization—get lasting results without harmful silicones and dyes.

pinnaclewax.com

Plastic Restorer

CAR GUYS Plastic Restorer is the ultimate solution for bringing Rubber, Vinyl and Plastic back to life! This is a newly developed, water-based polymer formula that contains a very special and newly PATENTED polymer additive. The best way to describe this special additive is that when added, it...

www.carguysdetail.com

Really makes you wonder if there is one company that just bottles for everyone.

Make sure you give the trim a good scrubbing too before restoring rejuvenating refreshing reconditioning renovation or whatever fancy marketing terms are being used these days.

 

Thank you! Great information.

 

I just use 303 Protectant and Turtle Wax Seal&Shine. It has worked great to restore and keep exterior plastic trim shiny black on both my '21 RAV and 2003 Jeep Liberty. I also use it on that easy to erode trim at the bottom of the windshield near the air intake cowl and on the black vertical plastic between the side windows.

 

I have used the Turtle Wax Pure Shine with Graphene and it does a great job especially with the black trim.

 

Thanks for the helpful suggestion!

 

Many swear by this

Solution Finish - Trim Restorer

 

Solution Finish (Amazon)

THIS! It's the only black trim restorer that works and lasts in my experience.

 

Thanks!

 

Whatever you want to use. It is all about maintenance.

 

Agreed! Thank you 😌

 

the word "erode" in a post above prompts me to repeat the most important lesson I have learned since 1967: (first use of Armorall by me):

eroding is a scary term, "removing oxidized plastic/rubber" is much better ...

again 2 classes of product I have seen over the years:

one that attacks oxidation ONLY: test is keep applying, let soak in, and remove... when a white cloth comes back white (some stuff is blue).. you have removed all oxidation and you are not further "eroding" the rubber/plastic

the other that removes a layer ALWAYS: your white cloth NEVER comes back white, there is always black from the plastic/rubber.

the ALWAYS stuff works fastest, but think of what it is doing to your GOOD plastic/rubber, as it penetrates and softens the GOOD part!

Greg

 

eroding is a scary term, "removing oxidized plastic/rubber" is much better ...

The RAV4 cowl trim piece that I referred to erodes or disintegrates frequently due to sun exposure (and possibly smog) and sometimes just blows off on forum members cars according to posts, and I have seen other posts about it on Reddit RAV4 Club. Amazon has several different replacement pieces and they are easy to install.

 

To protect the plastic bits and guard against fading, I use Megauirs Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax. I use on the paint too. It dries clear and the results have been good. It's similar to Megauirs UIltimate Quick Wax which has a non white formula. I've also used the 303 with good results. The main thing is to not get wax on the plastic so I usually apply these products first to the plastic bits before waxing.

 

a comment on 303, it is mainly a UV blocker, not a plastic reconditioner, although they present it as such. UV is the main enemy of plastic in the sun.

 

Thanks all for your helpful comments and recommendations! I just tried Mothers Back-to Black on a small section. Seemed to work well. Then tried it on the post between the side windows. Fortunately, the fading and streaking was not too extreme. The Mothers B to B seemed to work at this time. I’ll keep an eye on how long it lasts/protects

I will also keep your other suggestions and advice on file for reference in case the Mothers B to B isn’t effective on any particular piece of black plastic trim in the future—particularly if there is greater damage

—

I forgot to take a “before” pic. Here’s an “after” shot.

 

Good stuff. Wait a week and repeat. This is a regular yearly or every 6 month routine here. If you haven't done it ever, or in a while, give it a 2nd usage.

 

Good idea! Haven’t done it ever. Will do a second application in a bit. Thx!

 

I have used boiled linseed oil, you buy can buy it from Home Depot or most hardware stores $10.00 buys you a large bottle, I have used it; it restores black trim and keeps it black for a long time. Just as good in my humble opinion as some of these commercials products at a more reasonable price.

 

I am in the process of doing a “makeover” of my 2021 RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium. I have noticed the exterior black plastic trim around the windows is starting to fade and is lightly streaked. I’ve seen several products on-line claiming to restore black plastic trim (incl. those from Meguiars, Mothers, Chemical Guys, etc.).

Does anyone have any experience with these black plastic trim restoration products—both those recommended and those to stay away from?

Thank you!

Amazon.com: CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Guaranteed Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing : Automotive

Buy CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Guaranteed Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing: Plastic Care - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I put this on my 18 Ram that has been sitting in the sun. made most everything like new. and after a year 90% still looked new. the 10% was the items it said not to apply to..

 

There are some great videos on you tube where people have actually tested the different products. Here is one that I liked

 

2022 here. The plastic is not faded but still wanted to protect it. Chemical guys Meticulous Detailer was less than okay. 85* in the shade and applied as directed. Dried too fast, streaked, and just about impossible to buff out once dried. Had to apply again and quickly change to the dry cloth. I will try again when much cooler. There are some great products but very few work on matte finishes. Read a review for Cerekote wipes that severely deteriorated after a couple of years with no fix. I am inclined to use a non-ceramic product on matte finishes.

 

Thanks all for your helpful insights and suggestions!!

 

I have used this company’s products and they can’t be beat… everything they make is the nest, not outrageous, the make their own ceramics so quality is high …
paint ceramic topping.. headlight restoration… black Trim refinished.. .. Everything is great

CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Restoration Kit

Cerakote Trim Coat is a ceramic coating, not a trim dressing, for automotive trim restoration and protection guaranteed to last 200 washes! Bonds to the pores of unpainted plastic trim, restoring it to its original appearance.

cerakoteceramics.com

 

I’ve seen YouTube videos of people using a heat gun or propane torch to soften the surface and bring the oils out of the plastic. It’s supposed to keep it black for a long time. I would practice with a scrap piece of trim first.

 

I use this stuff on my plastics. I have a couple toys that I use it on. Dirtbike and snowmobile. Stuff works great!!