Xterra bumpers - what to do?

[RacerX88]

My neighbor has a Nissan Xterra and the plastic bumpers look like hell.
What can be done to remove the oxidation/fading and return a decent look to them? TIA

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

Are they painted the same color as the car or are they black pebble textured plastic? (Plastic bumpers can be both styles)

If they look as bad as you describe it could be that lack of regular maintenance or constant exposure to the environment may have gotten them to the point there at now that reversing the damage may not be possible.

[RacerX88]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

Mike -
Thanks for the quick reply... They are the black pebbled plastic.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

There is really nothing to do aside from redying them. There are a couple of different kits available(one grey and one black). Fairly easy to do. Just tape off anything you don't want dyed

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

There is really nothing to do aside from redying them. There are a couple of different kits available(one grey and one black). Fairly easy to do. Just tape off anything you don't want dyed

If the black plastic has started turning white, that is a pretty good visual indicator that it's too late to save them by applying a dressing and you may in fact have to dye them to make them look good again.

Then you have to figure out how to 'maintain' the dye job.

Ah... the good old days of chrome bumpers...

[Murr1525]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

If you just want to try something, I'd still try a dressing at least. I have been able to bring some color back to very faded things.

How long it lasts would be another story.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

The other company's Back to Black might do the trick.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

If you just want to try something, I'd still try a dressing at least. I have been able to bring some color back to very faded things.

How long it lasts would be another story.

This is true...

"You never know what you can do until you try"


An inexpensive product you could try would be our Gold Class Trim Detailer

Gold Class Trim Detailer

[Ryan L.]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

I agree with Murr1525 and Mike, a dressing has worked for me a couple times. Gold Class Trim Detailer does the best job out of the Meguiar's products and I still like it over Mother's Back to Black.

Ryan

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

I would use the GC trim detailer. It would be the first step for me. It may last a long time. Who knows?

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

Sorry guys, I should've suggested that first

But, my experience with the Xterra's are once their gone, their gone. I don't think Nissan put to much R&D into these plastic peices. Every Xterra that I see driving down the road(at least a couple of years old) has this problem unless the owners take care of them from the start. Every one that I've worked on has needed to be re-dyed.

Nick

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

where do you get those dying kits from

also, ive heard that you can use some of that krylon paint for plastics, and they work pretty well

[Ryan L.]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

where do you get those dying kits from

also, ive heard that you can use some of that krylon paint for plastics, and they work pretty well

I used Dupli-Color Trim Paint to paint the grill on our F-150 and it has held up for over a year now with no problems what so ever. Just like cleaning paint, its all about the prep. I spent probably a hour prepping the grill and about 10 painting it. Make sure you clean it with everything you have and the most powerful stuff you have. Then I sanded it using 3000 grit and then applied a paintable primer and then applied a adhesion promoter and finally the paint. The car sits outside 24/7 and it looks better than any other piece of plastic on the car.

Ryan

[roushstage2]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

Could also try some BlackWOW.

[ajb39oh]

Re: Xterra bumpers - what to do?

In my experience, GC trim detailer looks really good on pebbled plastic trim when it is applied until it is rained on then it leaves a haze. The Megs Aerosol trim detailer works pretty well IMO.

Recently, I tried a product called "Trim Shine" and it holds up after a rain.

I also picked up another product called "Wizard's Black Renew" that puts on a nice shine to plastic.