Faded plastic trim and mud flaps?

Anyone got any solutions to faded black plastic on 5th gens? Mud flaps and plastic mirror trim are the worst parts. This doesn’t come off after a wash.

 

There are some products that “moisturize” the plastic, but it’s not a permanent solution. Have to reapply after washing.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-X3to9t8Qg

 

ive done the "torch" method and was absolutely amazed at the results. It look brand new

 

If you're wary of flame, I really like Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant - it lasts longer than Aerospace 303, etc. in my experience.

 

i’ve heard the fade comes back worse if the heat method is used. how’s it holding up for you guys?

 

Don't do this. It simply brings the plasticizers to the surface and will soon fade even worse than before, making the plastic even more brittle.

 

I purchased Solution Finish but haven't tried it.

 

I have had really good luck with Cerakote wipes. It has held up for 6 months on my cowling and other trim that was sun bleached. Also brought back wife's 2005 Corolla cowling. Wear the gloves-the stuff stinks and you don't want it on your hands. Also, make sure the plastic you are treating is clean, dry and relatively cool.

 

WOW!! That heat method using a butane torch looks like it really works. Primarily the weather and parking outdoors and time are the likely culprits. But I've also found that the detergents used by some car washes can add to the problem. In any case, once the black is restored and/or already in good condition, here is what I've used over the years for black trim:
MUD FLAPS: I just use a good rubber dressing. Same as I use on the tires. Griot's Garage makes a good rubber dressing. And it lasts a long time. I use the one that dries to a MAT finish versus the shiny finish. Just looks like new rubber when dry. And stays that way over many washes.
SMOOTH HARD BLACK TRIM: I just use a good quality wax. Seems to do the job.
GRAINED HARD BLACK TRIM: Using wax seems to produce a bit of an uneven finish. Even though this product is 20+ years old, I still find it works well on the black plastic trim that has a grain type, rough look. Nu-Vinyl just works for this application.
SOFT BLACK RUBBER TRIM: Like door gaskets. I've found Black Back works great for both cleaning and restoring for this application. It comes as a cream. With a thin piece of cloth (2" gun cleaning patches work great for this) just rub it in to the door gaskets. You won't believe the crap that comes off. LOL Gaskets just look like new rubber.

Of course, you'll need to check the condition after car washes, but the protection should last for a while. And, Nu-Vinyl and Black Back are both 20+ year old products. So there may be better, updated products available today. But it always seemed that hat black plastic trim needed it's own maintenance schedule. LOL

 

This stuff works really well:

$25 RUGGED RESTORE Trim Coat Plastic Restorer Kit | Restores Dull Faded Dried Out Interior Exterior Plastic Vinyl Rubber Trim Flares Fenders Bumpers Cladding Running Boards Cowls | Black Finish 4 Oz

https://www.amazon.com/Trim-Renew-Restorer-Cladding-Avalanche/dp/B088G12PZF

 

There are enough products out there that would give you the desired results with varying degree of longevity. But they are temporary.
The heat method,, I do not recommend. It simple releases the oils from the plastic and will eventually make them an eyesore.
The best bet is to replace them. Flaps are cheap and easy.
I ve used Turtle Wax hybrid Graphene Acrylic on the plastic cover on the rear bumper and it has held up well for last 5 months. It does attract a lot of dirt .

 

THANKS!!! Good to know.

 

I use Maguire's Ultimate Black. As others have mentioned, it's temporary. Lasts maybe a month and then you get the chalky white again and have to reapply. Fine for me.

 

Solution finish is the best product I have tried for restoring black plastics. Most products sold are just protectant, but this one has black pigment which makes the trim look new again.

$30 Solution Finish - Black Plastic & Vinyl Trim Restorer - Use for Car and Truck Detailing, No Wet Look, Instantly Revives Color To Trim, Bumpers, Mud Flaps, Etc., Black (12 oz)

https://www.amazon.com/Solution-Fin...t=&hvlocphy=9033251&hvtargid=pla-579036532247

 

Just use the 9 things that are recommended on here all at once lol.

 

I bought a bottle and used it on my 2014 Tundra and 2005 Corolla- did not last. Followed the directions to a T. Looked great for 1-2 weeks. Then the first rain or mist, it ran and streaked, then lost it's effect. Was a bummer, had heard good things.

 

I used it on my wife’s old Acura tl and it worked very well. We sold the TL about 4 months after applying the solution finish, but it still looked just as good as the day I applied it. I actually didn’t have high expectations for the product, I’ve used a lot of different products on her horribly faded trim and solution finish was the best by a large margin.

 

I had this issue with my old Xterra. I highly recommend DupliColor Trim & Bumper Paint. Follow the prep instructions for the best outcome. Here's a pic where I had popped off the top bumper cover, painted it, and replaced it for a side-by-side comparison:



The whole truck done. This wasn't even right after I painted the trim, this is a few years later when I sold it. Note the air dam, I don't think I ever got around to painting it.

 

Two words my friend, mudflap deletes

 

I just tried Cerakote last week. Looks good and water is beading on it. https://www.4runners.com/threads/wh...h-gen-4runner-today.2261/page-887#post-494952 Second the gloves recommendation.

 

It did wonders to my cowling, which was really bad.

 

I've found that vehicles with lots of black plastic trim require regular applications of protection. Maybe every 3-4 washings. I scheduled treatment on the black trim at the same time I did the tire dressing. A good example of lots of black trim is the FJ Cruiser. Here is a pic of my 2010 with 160K just before I traded it in for the 4R. It will likely stay this way, but requires regular applications. At least, that's been my experience.

 

You guys will laugh but this has worked for me for years. I didn’t believe it until I tried it.
Boiled Linseed oil mixed with mineral spirits. Roughly 2 parts oil, 1 part spirits.
Been using it on my Dodge trim for over a decade. It has the Sport Pkg with almost all black trim and very little chrome. It hasn’t harmed the plastic or paint.
I use an old plastic vitamin bottle for the container mix, I’ve been using the same mix/bottle for over 12 years. Just put a little bit on a rag and wipe it on the plastic, do the whole car then go back and wipe off any excess. I’ve have probably done the truck a dozen times over the years and it seems like it is lasting a very long time (>year) the more I have applied it. It works and looks great.
Used it on my 2nd gen as well, haven’t used it on the new 4R yet as it is still new(garage queen/mall crawler).

The only thing you should be careful of is the used rags. Linseed oil on rags in a trash could spontaneously combust under the right conditions. To be safe I put the rags outside my shop with a rock on top to keep them from blowing away for a couple days to dry out.

 

I only use chemical guys in mine now. Visited their store in Torrance and watch their videos, shit is soooooooo good.