I need a trick of the trade!

[msuperbauer]

Goodmorning, I need help. I have a 2001 Saab 9-5 and it has this plastic/rubber molding/trip all around car to include the doors and front and rear bumper. I tried the Meguiars trim stuff (to lift out wax and blacken) and I am beyond disapointed. It rained (2) days later, and the stuff ran down the door panels and bumpers, and looks like it looked before I treated it? I folowed the directions to a tea, but had no luck. What is it YOU use that will blacken and not run or drip at first rain fall on your trim pieces? Thanks!! Heres a pic for reference


not the best pic of the trim, but you get the idea, on the front bumper, and 3/4 weay down on the doors, and on the rear bumper. Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!
-Mike

[TrufflePig]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

there is some new stuff coming out that i promise will work AWESOME. but you'll have to wait a few more weeks.

proven results.

[CWM3]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

I use the aerosol Trim Detailer followed by a VERY light wipe of Meguiars Natural Shine. Works for me.

[kurros]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

there is some new stuff coming out that i promise will work AWESOME. but you'll have to wait a few more weeks.

proven results.

More 2007 products to come?

[dietoremain]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

All Season Dressing is good since it isnt water based its a bit more durable... try it out.

[JTOWN]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

BUMP - any new suggestios or what product in the megs range the bring the black to life?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

As it has been discussed before, vehicle trim made of plastic simply does not absorb well. Any dressing will eventually bleed or wash off.

That said, the best tip is to use a product of choice (gold Class Trim Detailer, All-season dressing, Hyper Dressing, etc) and after allowing it to soak in as much as possible, go back and wipe off the excess product.

Then, continue to re-apply on a regular basis as a form of maintenance; that's the only way to keep it protected and looking new.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

Not much of a remedy but in the future, when you shop for a new car, look for a car without plastic and rubber trim all over it.

In the good old days cars had real trim... made out of steel with a chrome coating or made out of stainless steel...







Our Honda Pilot has quite a bit of plastic and rubber trim and we normally use Trim Detailer on it and it's held up very well over the last 4+ years but then it doesn't rain much in the desert and it's garage kept.

As Mark said, plastic doesn't absorb very well, so any dressing you apply tends to be topical, that means it sits on top of the surface.

[Ryan L.]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

I agree with Mike and Mark. The thing I hate the most about the Jeep in my avatar is all the plastic trim. And because it sees a lot of dirt and mud, I have to dress it a lot and what I have found best is to do what Mark said, apply it let it soak in and then wipe off.

Contrary to the plastic needing to be dressed, I would rather dress all that plastic than have to buff it out because of all the scratches they accumulate from tree's, brush, etc while on the trail. Once I dress them, all those scratches are invisible.

Maybe I should just take them all off?

Ryan

[Mikejl]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

I guess I should be thankful. My O9 Camry has very little in the way of exterior trimming.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

It's as though the engineers and designers of cars have never had to detail one so they have no idea what a pain plastic and rubber trim is to maintain, especially the dreaded pebble textured plastic trim.

[redhotchevy2000]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

agreed mike!

thats why i had my dad option his colorado to the painted trim the only plastic trim is the door strikes and the plastic lip on the front bumper and i think the top of the rear bumper. eh not to bad though, could have plastic fender trim.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

I agree with Mike and Mark. The thing I hate the most about the Jeep in my avatar is all the plastic trim.

Can you say Flat Fender?

[Eddie6th]

Re: I need a trick of the trade!

I have 2 Hondas and have never encountered that problem.I use plastic rubber vinyl protectant,which comes in a red spray bottle.The rubber looks like new and don't have any problems when it rains.Do you think you could be applying to much liquid and not rubbing it off properly?