Exterior Detailing Questions

[Joel Groff]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am looking into a permanent solution for the trim below the pain all the way around the car. I have grown tired of using the stuff that washes away and looks dull after uses. Can anyone tell me what a permanent solution may be to keep the trim a dark black or something that lasts longer than one rain. What is the best trim darkener out there. Also what is the best tire shine, I use eagle one but am looking for something different that is longer lasting. Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[bpd1151]

Meguiar's "Back to Black" works pretty well (specifically made/used for plastic restoring and maintaining).

As does their "Endurance" gel (more so made for tires, but I found works well on plastic bits as well).

Short of painting those rockers, like I did, you'll unfortunately have to keep up with regimen of applying product to keep them looking dark as you're desiring.

Good luck and report back if you needed either, or both of the above suggestions.

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[Joel Groff]

What is the process for painting did you use and what paint would you recommend and those are the exact supplies that I use now. The back to black and the endurance tire gel. That gel takes a while to dry though.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

I use Doc Bailey's. Says it is for leather but works amazing on plastics too.

 

[SM105K]

I would consider removing them and Duralining them.

 

[bpd1151]

What is the process for painting did you use and what paint would you recommend and those are the exact supplies that I use now. The back to black and the endurance tire gel. That gel takes a while to dry though.

The body shop I use told me that prepping those rockers for paint was labor intensive.

Took 3x of sanding blocking before achieving a paintable surface.

I then had to let them sit/cure for 30 days, before having paint protection film applied to keep them looking pristine.

Lot of work overall, but has saved me hours of nonsense trying to keep that dimpled/textured plastic from having a faded appearance.

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[Bronco2fan]

I used carworx finish restorer on my 97 ZJ plastic/rubber cladding. Took a bunch of prep time but worth it. I'll look for before and after pics to post.
Refinish Restorer — Carworx

 

[GotGrip?]

The body shop I use told me that prepping those rockers for paint was labor intensive.

Took 3x of sanding blocking before achieving a paintable surface.

I then had to let them sit/cure for 30 days, before having paint protection film applied to keep them looking pristine.

Lot of work overall, but has saved me hours of nonsense trying to keep that dimpled/textured plastic from having a faded appearance.

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^This...

Working at a bodyshop we often get this question about painting textured plastic the answer is no, not worth the time/labor to 95% of people. Or we get the "WELL MAACO SAID THEY COULD DO IT FOR $150!". Best bet is to get shadow black plasti dip and plasti gloss and just sand and buff it after 2 coats of clear. Yes the newer plasti clear coat is sandable before anyone asks.

 

[Bronco2fan]

Here's some. Stuff is pretty shiny too.

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[limited02]

Solution Finish usually gets high praise and spraying with a ceramic spray of whatever choice helps prolong longevity. Pinnacle Black Label trim restore is newer (I think) and is a black dye infused with ceramic that claims 2 years. It'll probably be the longest term solution other than painting it.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

I use Clearshine Shone Shine and their applicator. Lasts several weeks, and water seems to rejuvenate the coating it provides.

https://clearshine.store/shop/

 

[fordfanstan]

I have a buddy who sprayed his dimpled plastic trim at the body shop he works at, without sanding the dimples. It gave the trim a great look and still was monochrome with the body. I am having an estimate to have my trim painted in a couple of weeks while I am getting the Duraflex chin spoiler done.

 

[DadMobile]

On the Explorer ST forum their are a couple people who had all the plastic trim painted, they had the Ford dealer do it! $2k was the reported cost to have the dealer do it. 2k isn’t bad considering the amount of plastic trim on the Explorer St.

 

[SHOceptor]

Cerakote ceramic trim has been my go to. 8 months in and lookin’ new still. Only used two sponges from kit for entire bottom.

Took gravel road beatings and snow/mud conditions. Also I wash my car daily so says a lot.

Smells similar to wipe new, durability is much better however.

Make sure to wipe first with alcohol, and whatever you do dont use on smooth plastics. Its tempting but only ends in tragedy.

 

[SM105K]

I have a buddy who sprayed his dimpled plastic trim at the body shop he works at, without sanding the dimples. It gave the trim a great look and still was monochrome with the body. I am having an estimate to have my trim painted in a couple of weeks while I am getting the Duraflex chin spoiler done.

I would consider using a spray in bed liner on the Duraflex chin spoiler. I will increase the structural integrity and protect against road debris and rock chips.

 

[fordfanstan]

I want it to be paint-matched though... I guess I could coat it with bed liner on the inside and underside.

 

[SM105K]

I want it to be paint-matched though... I guess I could coat it with bed liner on the inside and underside.

Do you you have the Duraflex Chin Spoiler in your actual hands?

 

[6500rpm]

This is on my to do list for the year. I haven't talked with a paint supplier yet, but for the body guys on the forum, why don't you recommend painting the textured surface? I planned on just a satin black finish, I have body shops we vend to at work paint smooth replacement rocker panels fairly often to color match. I would have guessed lower plastic trim panels like ours would have only required a plastic primer and a flex agent??

Also, SM105K hit the nail on the head with the chin spoiler. My daily looks like it's been through a war after 3 years. My guess was going to be it needed to be gel coated after I fix all the pits and micro cracks, but the right bed liner may be a better option considering the crap it see's.

Once again, in my case for a daily, I just wanted to go with a black that stays black. By not color matching it seems like an easy route when it comes to touch up's.

 

[fordfanstan]

Do you have the Duraflex Chin Spoiler in your actual hands?

Yes, I do.

 

[802SHO]

I’ve been drooling over AutoFlex coatings. It’s plasti dip on steroids. You can buff it, polish it, wax it and peel it off when you want! Shit is awesome. Liquid wrap!