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How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 6:07 pm
by captain bobo
This query relates to my (new to me) Saab 9-5 Aero Hot Estate (a veritable wolf in sheeps' clothing with 260 bhp!!). The car drives superbly and looks great, it is a very very dark grey (or light black if there is such a colour?). There are various body parts that are made of what I regard as black plastic (aerial triangle on the roof, door handles, horizontal strips on the doors, loading area above the rear bumper, strip below the front bumper etc). Some of these "plastic" parts have faded to a mid grey colour, other parts (the loading area in particular) are scratched and marked.

I would like to smarten the car up a little, so my question is twofold: how do I "polish" and clean this black "plastic", and how can I repair scratch damage and a couple of minor tiny dents to the "plastic"? Do any forum members have experience of doing this sort of work?

As usual, any inputs and comments greatly appreciated.

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 7:35 pm
by Vortex O'Plinth
I've used both Autoglym and Meguiars products and they both work very well in producing a deep satin black finish. Unfortunately in neither case is the effect permanent; it needs redoing within a month or two.

There is a paint on the market specifically intended to produce a permanent restored finish on plastic trim. However I haven't used it and I can't remember the name either. :?: Someone else may be know of it?

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2019 4:15 pm
by classiclife
Maybe worth giving Frost a call to see if they can assist - I find them very helpful.

If they do not stock a specific item they may know if such a product exists and who supplies it; along with the 2x excellent recommendations Nick has flagged.

https://www.frost.co.uk/

Regards.

Richard.

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 6:41 pm
by Db n j
Dave,

Just be sure that the parts are painted plastic, (ie plastic with a coloured skin over the top, rather than made from self-coloured plastic).

My hunch is that (on the basis that the trim has faded relative to the main body panels) the parts are self-coloured.

What tends to happen to self-coloured plastic is that the UV inhibitors in the raw material is weak, or has broken down in the wonderful sunshine
we have in the UK. This leads to a "milky" appearance, that wont disappear with T-cut.

If its painted over the top, then repaint is an option - if its self-coloured, then painting can be very difficult, so take care.

Using a polish with a suitable tint may be the least painful option.

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:05 pm
by classiclife
I recall many decades ago, that Citroen vehicles were very prone to discolouring - not just the plastic but panels as well, especially red cars.

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:56 pm
by Petelang
Just a thought....
Would boot Polish work?
Peter

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:00 pm
by Sydsmith
Hi Dave, almost all the bumper black or back to blacks I have tried fade especially left in the sun, nothing seems to last very long, WD 40 will last as long as some of the expensive stuff but Lidles cheap black boot polish lasts longer than any of the expensive remedies, at least it did on an old VW transporter van I owned. Syd

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 11:24 pm
by Vortex O'Plinth
If all else fails.......



:D :D

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:56 am
by Phillmore
My first reaction was "that's nuts" but the results look good and as he says it's much cheaper than the specialist auto products designed to do the same thing, although I can imagine all the local squirrels chasing the car down the road! I wonder what else we can find in the kitchen cupboards? Now where did I put that Marmite, my wheel bearings need repacking . . . . :D

Re: How to clean up black plastic trim?

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 11:38 am
by A.N.Other
Peanut butter contains peanut oil. All sorts of oils restore and care for all sorts of things from baby skin to chrome, so why not ?