How to Restore Your Car's Faded Black Trim | HowStuffWorks - 新利luck18官网-官方网站,18新利最新登入

restore black trim — You really can restore your car's faded trim to its original deep black color. This Jeep trim was restored usingTrim Renew. You can see the major difference in these before and after photos.Trim Renew

Love it or hate it, a lot of cars have black textured trim instead of chrome. Thismaterial— sometimes rubbery, sometimes more like plastic — is used to provide a bit of extra protection along fender flares and side skirts, add visual interest and break up big areas of body color. It also can make vehicles look a little more rugged, particularly when used on wagons andcrossovers.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take long before that black trim starts to look a little stale. Over time, UV rays — and all of the other weather elements — start tofade the deep blacktrim to a dingy gray. And the problem isn't just aesthetics, either.According to Consumer Reports, the material itself can become so dry, it can degrade and lose its flexibility and become vulnerable to cracking or breaking.

But all is not lost. If the black trim is fading on your car, it takes just a little effort to restore it. Many products are designed specifically for this purpose, and although they're made for trim, they work in much the same way as other car detailing products. That means they're intended to restore the trim's original look immediately, though they'll also provide lasting protection. But you'll also have to reapply the product periodically, just like you would withcar wax.

There are a lot of trim restoration products on the market, includingliquids, gels and wipes. How you apply them is different, but they all achieve the same goals. Some trim restoration products contain a black dye; just be aware that if you choose one that does, it will likely stain anything else it comes in contact with, not just the car's trim. Otherwise, like most other car detailing tasks, the time and skill you put into it is just as important as the actual product you choose.

How to Apply It Right

Make sure your car isfreshly washed并充分干燥。
Park it out of direct sunlight and in an area with good ventilation.
Apply the trim restoration product using an applicator or a clean cloth, or according to the directions.
Buff off any excess, let dry and repeat as necessary.

Be sure to wear gloves and take care to keep the product off your skin and clothing.

Once you've achieved the desired results, consider using your trim restoration product on other parts of your car that have lost that showroom shine; restoration productscan be usedon other black rubber or plastic surfaces, such as window seals and tire sidewalls (but not on the tread, because it'll interfere with your traction). You also can seal your work with a coat of aUV-blocking spray, which will provide an extra layer between your car's fast-to-fade trim and the sun's damaging rays.

Now That's Crazy

When I was first getting into cars around 20 years ago, I drove a 1992 VW Jetta with big black plastic textured bumpers and fender flares. (VWs of this era were known for tons of black plastic trim.) Users on car forums often suggested the best way to restore the trim was not with a specialty detailing product, but instead with peanut butter. There is some truth to it — the oil in peanut butter does restore luster to the plastic — but trust me, it's a mess.