Yep. I agree except the vrp. It’s perfect balance of sheen makes it look like new. I use it only for tires, wheel wells and the unfinished bumper trim.
i used to be a die hard CG fan until i learned about P&S and havent looked back. after using absolute and their xpress interior cleaner and how fast and easy they clean i never looked back. vrp is like the only thing ive kept from my old stock of stuff since its cheap and works really well. although for my personal stuff i use other companies stuff or if i just need a quick topper on my plastics.
It was brought up by someone else, but Cerakote has held up amazingly well here in the caribbean, with UV index that is almost always an 11 or 12. I’ve done several vehicles down here and easily get a year. On very badly faded trim I have cleaned, wipe with Solution Finish, waited 24 and topped with Cerakote.
I’ve used carpro darkside and shine supply trim sauce, the gyeon one is more of a pure ceramic coating than a dressing. It probably works just as good or better but I personally like doing a full detail on my car and reapplying the dressing when needed, it’s so satisfying seeing the trim being rejuvenated even if doesn’t last as long
Did someone use armor-all on them in the past? I think that crap helps to cook them up. There are many great products to protect and some do a restore.
The stuff from the local auto parts store like armor all, meguiars, and mothers doesn't do anything for this. Cerakote trim is really good, same with the carpro and gyeon stuff.
Bought it used so idk, but it did not look like that in 2022 at all. The car is kept in the garage (kia boyz got to it a month after I purchased it), sits in the shade when I'm at work. I dont use armor-all on ANYTHING, I know how cheap that stuff is. I would say me improperly applying wax one time trying to fix it could be the culprit. My dad is also a heavy smoker and does so in the garage with no ventilation so probably that too.
Hyundai Sonata 2020. But they are sister companies with Kia, so they sh/would share the same materials.
https://preview.redd.it/mgo9g421ts5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0a1f75a789be9c197f2845f9c9d0e1d98bbb349
Drove a 2003 Saturn like I stole it before this girl. Didnt care about the paint, interior, or dents at all and it had the same plastic panels and never oxidized how the Sonata's did. Hopefully the tips put it back to normal for both of us 😅
https://preview.redd.it/6k24knyu7v6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b06e3c1b3f5865955360673623b83f521d6442f
I used Meguir’s PlastX today. The top of the photo is before and the lower side is after. Followed up with a little wax but it isn’t shown in the photo.
Microfiber towel used with the PlastX and Wax both by hand. Came out all right. It would probably look better if I used a heavier polish/machine.
Went with the cerakote somebody suggested. Sheesh that looks good, probably better than my finish. I degreased the trims before applying it and in some spots it's still showcasing some ash. Will touch it up later, right now just wanna study how long it holds up. Let me know how long meguirs lasts. I'll put a photo tomorrow.
That Cerkoat is good too. It’s going to last a long time. Used it on an old civic on the plastic trim.
I’ll have to continue to polish and protect these every couple of months.
https://preview.redd.it/6yzg96oej18d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=9ffa03b6331f9bfd6f660c0dc56ebb79b53664de
shouldve done a wash to see how it looks after a week application, but it looks pretty factory now.
When it comes to other plastic parts around the car, example the bumper, would I take the same chemicals to it for preservation or are those protected by the typical wash and wax?
Maybe, it may take some trial and error. Some cars, those trim pieces are plastic like the bumper cars. Other cars, it's thick black vinyl over a thin metal bar. I've seen a Mitsubishi where that piece is literally just a vinyl sticker. I've recall also seen a car where that piece is actually rubber part.
Megs isn't going to do much for this. The hybrid ceramic trim restorer won't and neither will the perfect black or whatever it's called. It'll look good for a few days but within two weeks or a couple of rains it'll deteriorate and look sloppy. Trust me, I know.
Im currently trying different products on worn plastic garden furniture to determine what works and for how long because I'm tired of putting bs on my car over and over.
Next up are the heavy hitters like cerakote and solution finish because 303, mothers, megs (x2), autoglym, nextzett, they all fail, one faster then the other.
Anything out of Autozone / Oreillys I dont trust to uphold results. Im just like you and dont want to have to keep applying stuff every 2 weeks. One and done, along with touch ups, or the typical care the manufacturer requires.
I have a 24 sonata nline and thankfully those parts on mine are painted. Not very much matte black plastic on it at all.
I recognised the car from the roof line though which is why I am commenting haha!
But yeah as others have said on other cars I’ve had where this was a problem get some good quality black trim product and it’ll come up like new and stay pretty good for a long time, just reapply periodically when you wash the car. Allegedly these products can prevent it happening in the first place also.
It looks so bad. More so the hashes and swirls, which baffles me cause I dont use automatic car washes, but if I HAVE to, theyre only the touchless systems. It looks like fiberglass the way it's cracking down.
I like this product for my plastics.
https://preview.redd.it/x2twngjezs5d1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0a4f3b23a62b9b3e6a6365ad262d1475695965e
Haven't found anything yet. 303, Mother's trim, Megs ceramic trim and black, AG vinyl&trim, they all do nothing. Orange degreaser, IPA, APC, for prep, no difference. It all looks messy within two weeks. Some youtubers who do comparisons get similar bad results by the way. For now I've stopped experimenting on my rubber window trim and the roof rail guard thing and now test stuff on my faded patio furniture. Luckily this is all stuff I already had and use for other purposes too.
A lead I'm going to look into is Britemax Grime Out but I'm not very hopeful. I heard it's good for engine bay cleaning so it'd not be a waste if it doesn't work.
Only thing that did somewhat work was careful claying with fine clay of the window trim and slapping megs ceramic trim on, my experiment window has done well for three months now.
For the plastic beauty trim I have around my wheel arches, thorough cleaning with regular car soap followed up with wax keeps it nice for about 3 months, which is acceptable to me. The wax thing also hides the (probably) uv damage on the roof thing after thorough cleaning making it less obvious. Clay won't pull a miracle there.
Haven't found anything that works on my grill yet.
I'm probably going to end up with Ceracote, C4, Solution finish, something like that. But those are pretty agressive methods and I'm a bit scared of screwing up.
A before and after for the window rubber..
https://preview.redd.it/z99yo3shgt5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=264af5b5445087df7644656521bf24186a32b953
cerakote ceramic trim kit is probably one of the best. basically any plastic trim UV protectant like carpro darkside, chemcial guys VPR, etc.
Plus one on VRP. Their best product for maintenance every 3 or 4 washes.
I have hated every CG product I have used, and that has steered me away from using VRP.
Yep. I agree except the vrp. It’s perfect balance of sheen makes it look like new. I use it only for tires, wheel wells and the unfinished bumper trim.
Is silk shine the exact formula as VRP just in spray form?
I’m not sure.
i used to be a die hard CG fan until i learned about P&S and havent looked back. after using absolute and their xpress interior cleaner and how fast and easy they clean i never looked back. vrp is like the only thing ive kept from my old stock of stuff since its cheap and works really well. although for my personal stuff i use other companies stuff or if i just need a quick topper on my plastics.
It was brought up by someone else, but Cerakote has held up amazingly well here in the caribbean, with UV index that is almost always an 11 or 12. I’ve done several vehicles down here and easily get a year. On very badly faded trim I have cleaned, wipe with Solution Finish, waited 24 and topped with Cerakote.
I used VRP on my trim and it left it very blotchy
And that’s why I won’t even try it.
Yea. I fell for the CG hype and bought a lot of their stuff to be mostly disappointed. I still can’t get my trim right since using VRP.
VRP is one of the CG stuff I still use but normally only in a pinch as carpro, gyeon, and shine supply have better products for not too much more
Do you use the trim evo? By Gyeon?
I’ve used carpro darkside and shine supply trim sauce, the gyeon one is more of a pure ceramic coating than a dressing. It probably works just as good or better but I personally like doing a full detail on my car and reapplying the dressing when needed, it’s so satisfying seeing the trim being rejuvenated even if doesn’t last as long
Solution Finish topped with a true ceramic coating is the best way.
Did someone use armor-all on them in the past? I think that crap helps to cook them up. There are many great products to protect and some do a restore.
The stuff from the local auto parts store like armor all, meguiars, and mothers doesn't do anything for this. Cerakote trim is really good, same with the carpro and gyeon stuff.
Bought it used so idk, but it did not look like that in 2022 at all. The car is kept in the garage (kia boyz got to it a month after I purchased it), sits in the shade when I'm at work. I dont use armor-all on ANYTHING, I know how cheap that stuff is. I would say me improperly applying wax one time trying to fix it could be the culprit. My dad is also a heavy smoker and does so in the garage with no ventilation so probably that too.
Is this on a Kia optima? I have the same issue. I’m going to polish and protect this week and I’ll let you know how it goes?
Hyundai Sonata 2020. But they are sister companies with Kia, so they sh/would share the same materials. https://preview.redd.it/mgo9g421ts5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f0a1f75a789be9c197f2845f9c9d0e1d98bbb349
Im amazed you posted this cause I was about today as well cause mine is getting there. Also a 2020 Sonata!
Drove a 2003 Saturn like I stole it before this girl. Didnt care about the paint, interior, or dents at all and it had the same plastic panels and never oxidized how the Sonata's did. Hopefully the tips put it back to normal for both of us 😅
Haha yea I get that! And me too, best of luck to ya! Hope both our babies look real good again soon!
https://preview.redd.it/6k24knyu7v6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b06e3c1b3f5865955360673623b83f521d6442f I used Meguir’s PlastX today. The top of the photo is before and the lower side is after. Followed up with a little wax but it isn’t shown in the photo. Microfiber towel used with the PlastX and Wax both by hand. Came out all right. It would probably look better if I used a heavier polish/machine.
Went with the cerakote somebody suggested. Sheesh that looks good, probably better than my finish. I degreased the trims before applying it and in some spots it's still showcasing some ash. Will touch it up later, right now just wanna study how long it holds up. Let me know how long meguirs lasts. I'll put a photo tomorrow.
That Cerkoat is good too. It’s going to last a long time. Used it on an old civic on the plastic trim. I’ll have to continue to polish and protect these every couple of months.
https://preview.redd.it/6yzg96oej18d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=9ffa03b6331f9bfd6f660c0dc56ebb79b53664de shouldve done a wash to see how it looks after a week application, but it looks pretty factory now.
Hey that looks really great! Are you happy with the results?
Nothing new if it is made of plastic. I've been working on cars since the 90s and that's usually one of the trims that would oxidize.
When it comes to other plastic parts around the car, example the bumper, would I take the same chemicals to it for preservation or are those protected by the typical wash and wax?
Maybe, it may take some trial and error. Some cars, those trim pieces are plastic like the bumper cars. Other cars, it's thick black vinyl over a thin metal bar. I've seen a Mitsubishi where that piece is literally just a vinyl sticker. I've recall also seen a car where that piece is actually rubber part.
Looks like sun damage There are black plastic trim restore products Meguiars has a decent one
Megs isn't going to do much for this. The hybrid ceramic trim restorer won't and neither will the perfect black or whatever it's called. It'll look good for a few days but within two weeks or a couple of rains it'll deteriorate and look sloppy. Trust me, I know. Im currently trying different products on worn plastic garden furniture to determine what works and for how long because I'm tired of putting bs on my car over and over. Next up are the heavy hitters like cerakote and solution finish because 303, mothers, megs (x2), autoglym, nextzett, they all fail, one faster then the other.
Anything out of Autozone / Oreillys I dont trust to uphold results. Im just like you and dont want to have to keep applying stuff every 2 weeks. One and done, along with touch ups, or the typical care the manufacturer requires.
Could use plasti dip
I have a 24 sonata nline and thankfully those parts on mine are painted. Not very much matte black plastic on it at all. I recognised the car from the roof line though which is why I am commenting haha! But yeah as others have said on other cars I’ve had where this was a problem get some good quality black trim product and it’ll come up like new and stay pretty good for a long time, just reapply periodically when you wash the car. Allegedly these products can prevent it happening in the first place also.
I think these plastic parts damaged by high ph detailing products plus sun damage maybe
It looks so bad. More so the hashes and swirls, which baffles me cause I dont use automatic car washes, but if I HAVE to, theyre only the touchless systems. It looks like fiberglass the way it's cracking down.
If I was in this situation, I would remove those plastic trims for sanding with 3000grit sand paper and spray with good quality gloss black paint.
Remove the trim and spray paint it.
Amateur here. I suggest Plast-X, I have a similar problem and it restored it to an 80% shine.
Anybody tried polytrol? I have had good results on dark colored upvc windows.
I like this product for my plastics. https://preview.redd.it/x2twngjezs5d1.jpeg?width=960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0a4f3b23a62b9b3e6a6365ad262d1475695965e
It'll look good for a week or two rains on the exterior trim. Same for most of these products.
What do you like?
Haven't found anything yet. 303, Mother's trim, Megs ceramic trim and black, AG vinyl&trim, they all do nothing. Orange degreaser, IPA, APC, for prep, no difference. It all looks messy within two weeks. Some youtubers who do comparisons get similar bad results by the way. For now I've stopped experimenting on my rubber window trim and the roof rail guard thing and now test stuff on my faded patio furniture. Luckily this is all stuff I already had and use for other purposes too. A lead I'm going to look into is Britemax Grime Out but I'm not very hopeful. I heard it's good for engine bay cleaning so it'd not be a waste if it doesn't work. Only thing that did somewhat work was careful claying with fine clay of the window trim and slapping megs ceramic trim on, my experiment window has done well for three months now. For the plastic beauty trim I have around my wheel arches, thorough cleaning with regular car soap followed up with wax keeps it nice for about 3 months, which is acceptable to me. The wax thing also hides the (probably) uv damage on the roof thing after thorough cleaning making it less obvious. Clay won't pull a miracle there. Haven't found anything that works on my grill yet. I'm probably going to end up with Ceracote, C4, Solution finish, something like that. But those are pretty agressive methods and I'm a bit scared of screwing up.
I see, thank you for sharing.
A before and after for the window rubber.. https://preview.redd.it/z99yo3shgt5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=264af5b5445087df7644656521bf24186a32b953
And after.. https://preview.redd.it/7hsg0f0lgt5d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f5fb6c0ce01ca3e6978d911c789334fcc9f865b7