Exterior Plastic Care
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 209
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Exterior Plastic Care
What are you all using on the exterior plastic like the bedrail tops and around the wiper area to keep it Black instead of turning gray. I have used Mother's, 303, and Protectall getting the same crappy results. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Plastic fades under the sun. There's nothing you can do to stop that other than park in the garage during the day, and drive only at night. Nearly all products you buy will do zero to protect from sun damage or fading. Some actually magnify and make it worse (like putting tanning oil on your skin rather than sunblock).
The makeup of the plastic will determine how resistant to fading it is in the long run. However, the more sun exposure, the faster it will chalk.
Pretty much any product simply takes dull plastic and makes it shine temporarily. Once the coating wears off, you're back to the same faded plastic. But most of that shiny stuff acts as a magnifier for the sunlight to fade the plastic underneath even faster than normal. Personally I hate using that stuff for that very reason.
Or there are products out there to dye it black again. Dye it now before it fades and you can actually put on a barrier that will protect the plastic underneath from some of the more damaging UV rays.... at least more than anything else on the market. Problem is you'll have to re-apply often.
That's pretty much about it. Anything else is a gimmick.
The makeup of the plastic will determine how resistant to fading it is in the long run. However, the more sun exposure, the faster it will chalk.
Pretty much any product simply takes dull plastic and makes it shine temporarily. Once the coating wears off, you're back to the same faded plastic. But most of that shiny stuff acts as a magnifier for the sunlight to fade the plastic underneath even faster than normal. Personally I hate using that stuff for that very reason.
Or there are products out there to dye it black again. Dye it now before it fades and you can actually put on a barrier that will protect the plastic underneath from some of the more damaging UV rays.... at least more than anything else on the market. Problem is you'll have to re-apply often.
That's pretty much about it. Anything else is a gimmick.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
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From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
I use Meguiars Ultimate Black and then use either Poor Boy's World plastic protectant or Zainos (neither leaves a greasy film, and both repels dust) my truck isn't garage kept. I don't use Armour All on anything.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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After owning a non garaged Jeep Wrangler for a decade and trying several products, I have settled on 3m/ bondo restore black as the best. It's paint/dye based, doesn't wash off for many months. You will need gloves and a water damp cloth on hand. Over wipes come off paint and such easily when it's still wet. Once it dries, it's tough to get off the paint. Take your time and put on thin coats smoothly. Looks better than new for 6 months of weekly washes. I do the plastic on bumpers, mirrors, steps, mud flaps and air dam. 
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2014
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In the MINI Copper world a lot of people use a product called Black Wow and it's supposed to work very well.
http://www.minimania.com/part/NMA712...ectant-4-Fl-Oz
http://www.minimania.com/part/NMA712...ectant-4-Fl-Oz
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 443
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I would be careful of anything that is based on Silicone, it looks good, but the Silicone will degrade and bleach the plastic, and over time you will have to use it more and more, and the plastic will look worse and worse between uses.
That has always been the problem with ArmorAll, once you start to use it, you can't stop, and it really dries out the plastic, you see dashes that have had it applied over time dry out and crack.
That has always been the problem with ArmorAll, once you start to use it, you can't stop, and it really dries out the plastic, you see dashes that have had it applied over time dry out and crack.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
Product called just once. It's non silicone and acts like a hard shell sealer. You apply it similar to using a wipe on polyurethane product on wood.
Just Once | Does the trick without the slick
If you have a spray on bed liner like line x it keeps it looking like new also. Try to keep it off the paint and bumpers though, it leaves residue.
Just Once | Does the trick without the slick
If you have a spray on bed liner like line x it keeps it looking like new also. Try to keep it off the paint and bumpers though, it leaves residue.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Hillsboro, Oregon
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