Best product to treat black plastic exterior trim/vents?
 

I've searched and only found two popular options: Mothers Back to Black, and 303 Aerospace Protectant. I don't want to use the Back to Black because you have to buff it off and that would be a huge PITA to use on the side vents. Don't know anything about 303 brand products.

My side vents and all exterior trim are not looking so hot, any advice?

go with 303.. I use it on my black interior and my exterior trim... it also has a SPF 40. so it prevents cracking... ;)

303 is quite excellent! I was lucky enough to find it at my dealership or else i would have had to order it online. There is nothing better.

i use 303 for the interior.

back to black is really awesome stuff - but i would only use it on the exterior plastic bits (it works on plastic even if it's not black). I wouldn't use it on stuff I'd be touching with my hands on a regular basis.

+3......
 

303 Aerospace FTW.

S

I use Aero 303 all the time, it’s good stuff.

This link will highlight some uses http://properautocare.com/303auti.html

I use 303 on all plastic trim parts, inside and out of the car, i.e. side vents, the plastic cowling up by the windshield wipers, back bumper, front grill, side mirrors, weather seals on the doors, most of the interior, (except seats, I use Zaino Z-10 for them) and the tires.

It’s easy to apply and easy to clean up.

Thanks for the tips.

What is the application process like for the 303? Do you have to buff it off of the exterior pieces? How might you use it on the side vents?

I don't like Mother's Back to Black and advise against it because it leaves white residue when it wears off (on my 8 it did) and it is very runny, so you get runs everywhere.

I much prefer Poorboy's Trim Restorer, which looks nice and isn't runny and leaves no white residue.

I do like 303 as well, but I only use it on the interior once in a while.

^ You sure it's not some wax or something else you got on your trim? I use b2b all over and have yet to see it turn white.

I don't think so, as I remember seeing it on textured areas far from the paint, but I could be wrong. I really should try B2B one more time to see if the same thing happens.

I use the turtle wax liquid ice, zero white residor

Meguira's NXT spray is really good

Spray and wipe…like cleaning a window.

I usually spray onto a cloth (to prevent over spray) and then wipe the areas I want to protect; use the dry portion of the cloth to clean up any residue.

For my vents, I spray 303 right on one, let it soak while go spray the other one, come back, wipe it clean. I’ll do the same with the front grill. It’s easier to get in between the mesh by spraying than using a cloth.

Good luck!

I use aerospace 303 on the interior and exterior trim. Works great and does an excellent job of maintaining the exterior trim color as well as protect the interior plastics.

I ended up ordering mine online at amazon.com. Like others, I spray the 303 on a cloth and wipe the surface with the cloth rather than spray directly onto the surface.

Ditto. Works awesome, plus you can use the rest of the wax to polish your ride.

I never buffed out any "back to black", bumpers and all that look amazing all the time. Only issue is when it runs from under the side mirrors down onto the door it gets all hazy on the door and it takes a lot of rubbing to get it off, hopefully not hurting the wax/clearcoat.

Thanks for the above info. I've been wondering what to use on the black plastic exterior parts, like the front and rear valances. My rear valance is a little oxidized.

Will any of the above products help with that oxidation? I'm hoping to avoid any sort of buffing or vigorous application - that plastic is a little textured, isn't it?

My favorite is Poorboy's Trim Restorer. But try Mother's Back to Black, just watch out for the runny liquid.

If you keep applying either of the above products, it will keep the plastic trim black longer. It kinda "conditions" the plastic.

Yeah, you can't really buff the plastic. But with those products, there's no vigorous application required. Just swipe it on.

I use the 303 Aero and it works great. My GMC Jimmy dashboard is looking very sundamaged and decided to see if the 303 would make it look any better. See for yourself.

Attachment 121829

303.

the stuff just does what you want it to do.. and lasts a long long time..

btw, pick up a mr clean eraser. it fixes the wax you got on the black..

beers :beer:

Black Wow.............
Start reading at about post #47

+1
Black wow is by far the best trim product out there right now.

www.bavarianautosport.com also sells this stuff called Forever Black that is for re-dying black plastic trim.

use the ice it's easy

I recently used the Back to Black. Pretty good stuff IMO. A little runny, but overall pretty easy to work with and pretty good results. Made the grayish sunbeaten exterior plastic black again.