faded convertible trim

xs man 27 · Mar 13, 2013

does anyone else have a convertible and both your wiper cowl vent cover and rear trim moldings, ( driver side , center, passenger side) trim pieces are all sun faded ? I looked on lmr and they do sell the pieces however would come out over $500 just for 4 pieces,, however those 4 pieces when all new and detailed imo makes the car look so much better,, so my question is what do all you guys keep your trim all nice and shiny and looking new ? any products out there you can share that will make sun faded rear trim pieces look new again ? as far as the cowl vent cover I m just gonna cave in and spend the $200+ for a new one being mine is cracked a lil bit so I ll replace that one just trying to see if there is anything out there that can bring back the shine in my rear convertible trim pieces.. thanks again for any input

MustangChris · Mar 13, 2013

I use back-to-black. lasts apprx. 1 week. 1 bottle can last years.

belber095 · Mar 13, 2013

I'm gonna paint my trims and a cowl vent this weekend. Check craigslist for a nee cowl vent before you dish out 200 bucks for a new piece of plastic...

tapatalkin'

chris91 · Mar 13, 2013

Before you go painting it, hit it with some Wax. 9 outta 10 times I have brought back HORRIBLE looking ones with just some wax and elbow grease. Just apply it and dont let it dry up before you remove it. Same goes for your mirrors and other black trim too.

CC'S95GT · Mar 13, 2013

I use TURTLE WAX ICE PASTE WAX. It's a synthetic wax and is good on paint, and plastics.
It keeps my cowl panel and mirrors looking great. It also doesn't dry to a chalky white residue.
I've never had any luck with BACK TO BLACK on my rubber pieces.

xs man 27 · Mar 13, 2013

has anyone before painting the rear trim pieces ? the color of my car is black so im thinkin it wouldn't stick out to much but i could be wrong,, does anyone have pics of them pieces painted ? thanks for all the info guys much app.

95opal · Mar 15, 2013

xs man 27 said:
does anyone else have a convertible and both your wiper cowl vent cover and rear trim moldings, ( driver side , center, passenger side) trim pieces are all sun faded ? I looked on lmr and they do sell the pieces however would come out over $500 just for 4 pieces,, however those 4 pieces when all new and detailed imo makes the car look so much better,, so my question is what do all you guys keep your trim all nice and shiny and looking new ? any products out there you can share that will make sun faded rear trim pieces look new again ? as far as the cowl vent cover I m just gonna cave in and spend the $200+ for a new one being mine is cracked a lil bit so I ll replace that one just trying to see if there is anything out there that can bring back the shine in my rear convertible trim pieces.. thanks again for any input

Dont waist time or money with bs products ass youll be doing it every week. Just pull the pieces off the car prep them, spray them and reinstall.

Burninrock24 · Mar 21, 2013

Take a heat gun to them. It makes the plastic more porous and it restores the color a bit. Try it on an inconspicuous area first though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ue-1_Jk2Y0

Mustang_Sally · Mar 21, 2013

This is just fuggin' weird, I was just about to post up my plasti-dip convertible trim job! I'm about two coats away from completion, I'll have pics for you soon!

Here she is all masked, I'd rather put the time into masking than peeling plasti-dip off, and in between crevices

The worst part, I stared at it every time I went around the back of the car:

94 DropTop · Mar 22, 2013

I just repainted my satin black.

5litrarag · Mar 22, 2013

I painted mine.... Look in my build thread. I have pics and products that I used. Painted everything.... top well trims, mirrors, cowl panel, wipers. The $hit looks phenomenal. Wait until I bring the car out all put together... that's when it's gonna really pop with all the perfectly black trims.
As others have said, dont fvck around with bullshit products and half measures...pull the $hit off, prep it properly and paint it. You'll be much happier.

Here's a lil taste....

jwhisl · Mar 22, 2013

That's what I need to do. I will have to look for your other thread. Really can't wait to see it put back together!

5litrarag · Mar 23, 2013

Yeah me too... it wont be showroom perfect but it'll be running and thats what i really want

xs man 27 · Mar 23, 2013

the painted parts look great def something I m going to look into for the rear trim pieces..

justi88 · Mar 23, 2013

When I got my paint job i had the trim pieces painted, but my cowl vent cover is pretty faded and the plastic is very dry. I think it might crack any time, i think ill just replace mine with a carbon fiber cowl vent.

5litrarag · Mar 23, 2013

Go to the junkyard and find a cleaner one... pop it off, clean it up and paint it... cost you maybe 40 bucks total. Pick up a new set of rubber hinge covers and you got a like new part. if they werent so fragile I'd make a side biz out of doing them.

Slykin · Mar 23, 2013

Paint it. That, or peanut butter works well on black plastic trim.

justi88 · Mar 24, 2013

Sorry but junkyard aint an option for me, we dont have junkyards in Bolivia. You can find a really nice carbon fiber cowl for our SN95s on this website, http://www.special-carbonfiber.com/

IMO its not expensive..