After trying many different products to put on my plastic trim I finally found one that works good. Actually it is not for trim at all. Everything else looks great for a few hours but then fades away. So one day I put my Meguiar's Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+HOT+32 on the trim and it looked great... still looks great and haven't reapplied it in a month.

I get a kitchen sponge and wet it but wring it out good. Then spray it a few times with the tire spray and rub it on real good. Keep spraying the sponge and applying it as needed. It soaks in real good and stays. I wash my Xterra every week so it has had four baths and a lot of rain but still looks great. I have an 01' that hasn't been treated since new so my trim was very faded. Now it looks like new again.

Hello, Thank-you for sharing this ......another good thing for the "X"

Aloha,

It may eventually make your plastic brittle.

I'd sure hope not. Especially if it's made for tires.

Sure is a lot easier and quicker than painting and makes it look like it came from the factory. I can't imagine it would damage the plastic but you never know. I have also used Forever Black which works great as well but it is a lot of work. Still probably easier than painting and it looks painted when finished. You just have to put on a lot of coats. But you don't have to worry about overspray or fumes or mess.

Hi Guys,

I actually found another product that works specifically for this, it's called Vinyl Magic www.vinylmagic.net - it works amazing! It's only $20 a bottle and I find that a little goes along way.

I'd check it out.

Sure is a lot easier and quicker than painting and makes it look like it came from the factory. I can't imagine it would damage the plastic but you never know. I have also used Forever Black which works great as well but it is a lot of work. Still probably easier than painting and it looks painted when finished. You just have to put on a lot of coats. But you don't have to worry about overspray or fumes or mess.

It may be faster but if you spend one hour painting your done for good. you'll have to reapply that stuff at some point which will eventually. but to each his own. I like the paint because its darker than the original plastic color and i don't have to maintain it.

Hi Guys,

I actually found another product that works specifically for this, it's called Vinyl Magic www.vinylmagic.net - it works amazing! It's only $20 a bottle and I find that a little goes along way.

I'd check it out.

This looks like some good stuff. I'll have to check it out. Where did you get it?

First post on the forum here...

I have a Jeep Cherokee, and I have been thinking of upgrading to a X. I also consider my self a semi-knowledgeable detailer.


Anyway, All the products mentioned here WILL eventually wash off. (even that vinylMagic stuff)

Painting is "ok" but fills in the texture and the trim looks painted.

The best way is to use a plastic dye to recolor the trim. It will never wear like everything else will.

I used Forever Black on my Jeep and my M3. It maes the parts look new, and will never wear off.

Forever black does wear off. I promise, it does.


The trim is already smooth, so paint is the way to go imo.

This is good info. The heat here in AZ is rough on the plastic. Thanks!

I painted mine but it does look like its been painted. Sounds kinda stupid but I understand where you're coming from. Black is definitely better than grey IMO, so painting was the way to go. That Fusion has already taken a lot of abuse since I painted and it's still holding up. There is one spot in the honeycomb of my grill that is chipping but I think it;s due to the fact that I didn't get good coverage in that spot?

painting was the way to go.


Would you mind posting up some pics? I am weighing out my options on what to do with mine. Did you just rattle-can it? Which types of paint?

Thanks

I would personally use bed liner. It should hold up pretty darn well and looks tough.

Bedliner generally does a crappy job adhering to plastics. Krylon Fusion is the way to go.

Use either Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum Plastic Trim Paint.

Both work well. I can post pictures later if someone needs them.

Using the Krylon, do you need to prime it first?

Using the Krylon, do you need to prime it first?

Nope. Clean it with soap and water and you are good to go.

Nope. Clean it with soap and water and you are good to go.

Excellent, Thanks

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11443&highlight=renewing+sunfaded+plastics&page=4


Thats a good thread on this same topic. I have before and after pictures on pg 4. There are lots of before and after pictures of painted Xs so give it a look if you've got time.

wow, painting makes a huge difference. I see it has only been a few months since you have done it but have you had any peeling? How many coats did you put on?

wow, painting makes a huge difference. I see it has only been a few months since you have done it but have you had any peeling? How many coats did you put on?

2 coats on the little stuff, 3 on the larger items like the grill. I really like the way it works. Sits outside 24/7 and I haven't had any problems. everything washes right off and it looks just as it did the day I painted it. I definitely recommend painting all of the plastic.

Excellent advice. I will probably ride it out this winter and spray them down this spring. Thank you.