Restoring exterior hard plastic

[jas242ti]

I see the threads on tires and wash N waxing with good info. How about the hard plastic trim like the door handles and the grill at the bottom of the windshield? The door handles are starting to fad. What should I use to clean and recondition the exterior hard plastic?

[buellwinkle]

The best stuff I use is Meg's #38 Tire & Trim dressing. It's hard to find, you'll need to go online for it or local auto paint supply store but it's the only thing I used that you put on once and it lasts for 1-2 months. Apply it with a foam applicator pad and then let it sit for 15 minutes or so to soak in and then wipe the excess of with a rag for a uniform look.

You can just the their consumer trim dressing but it lasts until you wash the car or it rains, 2 weeks if you are lucky.

[dillon_b12]

3M Plastic Cleaner and 3M Plastic Polish. Use the cleaner with some elbow grease and the rag will be black and the oxidation will be gone. Plastic Polish takes it a step further and I use it in between cleanings.

[Powerman]

Wizards Black renew

[buellwinkle]

I just read this on one of the Wrangler forums so I don't know how it works but people there use a heat gun to warm up the plastic (in the case of the Wrangler the black fender flares) and it renews it self, no chemicals, no mess. The only issue is that you can melt soft clear plastics like turn signal lenses and such so be careful and shield or remove what you don't want to burn.

[Eight433]

i just use regular wax (meguires gold class specifically) on the mirrors and wiper cowl.

[LikeaRock]

Klasse AIO and Poorboys Trim restorer
The AIO works GREAT on smooth surfaced plastic parts, ands the TR will work wonders on textured plastic. It doesn't leave a greasy redisue and it leaves it nice and black

Quote: Originally Posted by Eight433

i just use regular wax (meguires gold class specifically) on the mirrors and wiper cowl.

It doesn't leave a residue?

[BAGNDRAG98]

Whatever you use, DO NOT use Mother's Back to Black

[rcmaniac]

Quote: Originally Posted by BAGNDRAG98

Whatever you use, DO NOT use Mother's Back to Black

.Yup, that shit don't work.. AT ALL

[rick85]

rain-x works great to restore clear plastics like turn signals and brake lights.

[jinusow]

Meg. Rubber and vinyl protectant. It works on tires tirm door handles and my truck cover from checker checkmate was fading used a lot of it on that too and it has worked to restore the black.

[JPowell]

If you live in the desert- use Mothers Back to Black. Anywhere else- skip it, as previously noted- you'll end up with streaks down the truck and faded just as bad as you started out with.

I've heard of some old-schoolers using old motor oil- yes, old motor oil on rough plastic. Just put a SMALL amount on a rag and rub it in until it dries. I've never tried it myself, though.

[S10Blazer98]

i use meguiar's plastix..... its a fine scratch and swirl remover. and then i just use meguiars wax over it and it looks pretty good for a while