I'm seeing lots of snake oil out there with expensive trim restoration products.

Which ones get the black back for more than a few car washes? Which ones work and which ones don't?

 

I've had pretty decent luck with this on the LR3

https://www.turtlewax.com/our-produc...-trim-restorer

 

Engine oil, cooking oil, any oil.
Rub it in like armor all.
Plastic trim will look great, and last for several rains.
That...or paint.

 

Black wow works pretty well. It works great on the plastic wheel arches and rocker panels. It may take two coats to fully soak in. After that I usually give it a monthly touch up. Phil

 

303 UV protectant, its a boating product

cleans up the black plastic trim and keeps it looking good for a few washes. Used a few products and this one is always suggested by others, I second. Excellent stuff.

 

So all these products are just a cover? I thought some actually removed oxidation layer that causing the grayish tone. I can put motor oil on it to get that result.

 

303 is great stuff. Actually helps sorta restore the surface. Its not as gross and sloppy looking as Armorall.

Any oil you add is the worst thing you can do from a longevity point. It will leach out chemicals and weaken the plastic. I restore plastic on vintage computers, so I have been over this stuff a lot over the years. If you dont care about longevity, have at it though.

 

Thanks for the info! Well of course I care about longevity, I am just collecting information from people that have gone down this path so I can learn from their mistakes.

I don't really have bad fading yet. Must be just normal car wash wax has protected it from the UV. Just maybe the brackets on the front bumper is a little light vs black on the actual bumper.

 

While its difficult on large parts, you can try heat. I have not tried it on LR parts yet, but on some older BMW, Benz exterior plastics high heat will darken em up fast. You just have to be very careful. The problem with large parts is doing it evenly. But for handles, its easy to refresh em.

 

Solution Finish! It's a dye more than a cover up. I only need to reapply once a year and my truck stays outside in the FL sun year round.