Exterior plastic trim treatments

[40pkmup]

I'm looking for a product to restore my exterior plastic trim on my 03 Chevy Avalanch. The sun really beats it up. I've tried a number of spray cleaners and they fade out in a week or two.
Thanks

[Eddie6th]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

Any of the trim detailing products for plastics are good,but if it is so badly weather beaten and neglacted for many years it might only improve it.Getting it back to it's original condition by conventional means might not be possible.

[Murr1525]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

A cleaner is only going to clean.

What you would want to do is clean with a good cleaner like APC or #39, then dress the trim with a product like the Gold Class Trim Detailer, or All Season Dressing.

[Deaner5]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

I have used Gold Class Trim Detailer and love it. I only use it on the trim around my windshield and my mudflaps, but man the stuff is great. Also at about $3.50 to $4 a bottle it is one of the best "bang for your buck" products that Meguiar's offers.

Just remember that a dressing like Gold Class will only dress the surface and that a textured plastic will never really have that great of protection on it like wax on a painted/clear coated surface.

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+G10810

ADS has it for cheaper, but it looks like they are out of stock. I have seen this at parts stores with better detailing inventories so you might find it OTC somewhere.

[40pkmup]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

Thanks I'll try it. What is ADS you refered to?

[dope92cc]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

AutoDetailingSolutions.net

[jfelbab]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

After cleaning, you may also wish to apply UQW weekly. I've found that it seems to be a good way to keep the trim from fading. UQW is now one of my most used products.

[chtorr]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

After cleaning, you may also wish to apply UQW weekly. I've found that it seems to be a good way to keep the trim from fading. UQW is now one of my most used products.

UQW is also good for the hard top on my Jeep Wrangler. Even though it's painted, it's a textured satin finish paint and other LSPs smear easily on it and don't seem to buff off very clear. But UQW just leaves it looking clean, and water beads amazingly afterwards.

I never thought to use it on plastic trim also. I'm now going to try that. Glad you mentioned it.

[40pkmup]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

What is uqw? The plastic trim as i call it cleans up pretty well with a number of products but the top pieces fade out pretty fast. The other problem child is the rubber panels that cover the box on the avalanch. The heat really gets these. In a matter of days the silicon type products are history.
Thanks

[chtorr]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

UQW is Ultimate Quik Wax.

[john m.]

Re: Exterior plastic trim treatments

Any of the plastic dressings will work good for you. Gold class trim detailer, all season dressing, hyper dressing, M40, anything will work. If you wash your car once a week you can always put another light coat on there to keep it looking good. All season will last the longes I THINK, dont quote me though