The black bumpers on the xterra are fading. They are beginning to look like dark grey now. What can be done to keep them looking new or like new ?

I think around here they are scuffed beyond recognition or thrown away for a aftermarket

Most people get the best results from painting the plastic. There are a few products out there that are specifically designed for painting plastic trim, some require the use of a bonding agent to prep, and some do not.

The best I've seen was done with Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter and Dupli-Color Bumper Coating, oth products were available at Advanced Auto Parts for about $4-5 per can, and the particular color used was FB109 Dark Charcoal. This color exactly matches the stock plastic in new condition.

Macgyers (not sure of the spelling) offers a back to black product. It is for use on plastic extirior parts. Just apply on dry clean terry cloth and massage into the plastic. Ive used this on my tj fenders. Works really good. My fenders were very sun bleached to almost a light grey, used this product twice and brought them back to a very solid black.

The problem with the Meguiars and other "back to black" type products is that they only work temporarily. They do work really well at first, but after a short time, the plastic just goes right back to the faded look.

That's why I suggest painting, it works and it's permanent.

I knew when I was re-doing both X's I should have taken pics. I did them back in Oct for both X's. I tried the Back to Black , worked for alittle while, but you can't stop nature. So with alittle light sanding and 2 coats primer and 4 coats colour along with 2 coats clear coat, all was good again. When I get my hands on the camera again ( fiancee has it with her ) I'll post some pics of how they look now.

thanks for your help guys. I think i will go with the paint.
2002 xterra se

I have heard the product mad by 303 products --- something called

aerospace protectant works really well

mostly sold at whirlpool shops .. look it up online