Ask the Detailer

Whats the preferred product for making my grayed out exterior plastic turn black again? Also, what is the suggested prep?

I'm working with my wifes Honda Element and my GTI lower bumper valances. I considered painting them or spending all day with a heat gun, but there has to be a better way.

I thought I saw a mention of Griots stuff but now I can't find it.

 

I (as well as some others) used the Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat and have been really happy with it. Wash it well, make sure not dressings or anything are on it, then dry it. Then dry it again, then dry all the cracks, blow out the cracks, then dry it again. And in case you forget, blow air and dry it once more. Jason knows how badly cerakote can react with water that drips out of cracks. I've been extremely happy with mine. Get on Amazon for around $20, application is easy, restores trim, and LASTS.
I'll find my post on here and share it as well as link to product. Tom and Jason have both used and both liked it, but they may chime in to agree/disagree with my remarks.
EDIT: here are the links to when I did them on my steps. I've since then added it to other parts on the truck....just not bumper plastic parts yet.https://www.tundras.com/threads/ask-the-detailer.18408/page-69#post-1709680

$17 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SHJVK4G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

That stuff is definitely the ticket. I actually washed my wheels and put it on them over the weekend. Hopefully it will make them much easier to clean.

 

let me guess....you didn't take before and after shots of that either?

 

Nope. But I did miss a spot on one of the wheels that shows the difference. I’ll get a pic.

 

it's bad that i'm actually glad you did miss a spot haha

 

Me too. I’m considering leaving it so I can see the difference in how easy they are to clean next time.

You didn’t even say you were proud of me for actually cleaning my wheels for once.

 

i didn't wanna kick while you were down more than i already had

 

100% agree. O yeah make sure it is dry before you apply.

 

Think I have before and after somewhere. Before

before. Advertising shot.

after.

30 days outside rain everyday pretty much.

 

Going to give this a shot on my wife's 2008 Solara.

 

You’ll be real happy with it. I’ve been blown away how good it works.

 

@Swfltoyomafia sold! Thanks!

 

Would someone mind giving me info on step by step on what I need to do (wash to polish) also products to use.

 

Post 1591 has some good info
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ask-the-detailer.18408/page-54#post-1480545

 

If you all remember, about 2 months ago my son got out of the military and came home. A few weeks later I helped him buy his first brand new vehicle and a couple of weeks after that we did the first clean up and coat of Power Lock.
Tonight was version 2.0 when we did the night version of detailing and got the second coat on.
Many beers were sacrificed, much heavy metal was blasted, and a great father-son time was had. Plus the end result was nice.

 

That’s awesome! It looks great. I assume you made him do the wheels.

 

Two questions.....what kind of beer and what band(s) were played? As a side note, the car looks great

 

Yep, I was mostly acting as an assistant and advisor.

Miller Lite for me and he had Miller and some seasonal pumpkin spice one that I've forgotten the name of. Music was a shuffle but mostly Slipknot, Pantera, Slayer, etc.

 

good choice for music

 

where can you buy it ? how long does it last ?

 

What are we talking about? Lmao I went a few pages back but cant find what this is about.

 

sorry about that .... the Cerakote for the plastic black pieces

 

Lol cool. You get it on Amazon $20 worth every cent. Don’t know how long it lasts but it’s a lot longer then anything else I’ve used.

 

Thanks again. I've been using 303 and it doesn't last very long so want to try something else.

 

do you have the link to the one you ordered by chance ?

 

Ok but there are rules to follow with this stuff. It can’t get wet during or after application. Not even a little so plan on some garage time. Make sure the surface is really clean. Let it cure for 12 hrs

 

$17 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

https://www.amazon.com/CERAKOTE-Cer...o&sr=1-1-191b1ae3-0539-4250-ad39-b698e0b800f6

 

Echo Amazon. Also, keep in mind to watch their video on the Amazon link that stresses how to make sure no water and its dry. @War Machine had some drip out of a door jamb and get on it in the curing process and it messed up that spot. It's a coating, not a dressing! And don't let this intimidate you. I'm not a pro by any means and this was very simple to do. The results are great and the only people I've seen that weren't happy didnt follow precautionary measure. You'll be happy with it. A little tip that helped me, I washed my truck one evening, drove it down the road to help get it out the jambs, then finished drying the truck at home. Wiped down door jambs well, blew around plastic trim, then let sit over night. I applied the next morning after a wipe down on the plastic with a dry cloth to knock off any bugs, dust, etc that may have gotten on it. I do park in a garage tho, so that I got going for me. Good luck man

 

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