Can anyone recommend me a plastic trim restorer?

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Hi guys, looking for a good plastic trim restorer for an old Honda CRX i'm working on that has loads of plastic trim.

 

I have used Autoglym in the past but found it quite greasy and not very long lasting so if anyone has something they have used that lasts please let me know

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ewen

[Stutopia]

The best one I've used

 

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/gtechniq-c4-permanent-trim-restorer/prod_851.html

[ts743]

Wow, that C4 looks / sounds great, I might have to try some of that.

 

I was going to say I've heard nothing but good things about 303 Aerospace Protectant, might be worth a look also.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/303-Aerospace-Protectant-16oz/dp/B005OJW3MK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Thanks Stu, that sounds good is it easy enough to apply?

[Randy_Baton]

I started a thread about it a few weeks ago, 2 pages of suggestions for you to go with!!!

 

http://www.350z-uk.c...lastic-revival/

 

I went with GTechniq as I've used their stuff before on other things and its never let me down.

 

I've not applied it yet though.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Randy_Baton

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Thanks Andy, I should have used search!

[HEADPHONES]

I used Gtechniq C4 on the wife's 06 mini 2 yrs ago.

It's on the drive exposed to the sun and the C4 has only just started to fade on the rear that catches the sun the most.

Big from me that stuff.

[Stutopia]

Thanks Stu, that sounds good is it easy enough to apply?

Thanks Stu, that sounds good is it easy enough to apply?

 

Simples, but I'd suggest getting some makeup cotton pads as you'll get through a fair few. Plastic should be super clean first. There's a vid on the link.

 

Apply sparingly, less is more. You want a nice thin layer. The tiny bottle should go miles. It flashes quite quickly so if you can do it inside, out of the sun, it's easier.

 

Can't remember if I did it, but I think you can put UV protector on top to make it last longer. But check that out before doing it.

 

Ilogikal1 is the man to ask on this stuff.

Edited July 15, 2014 by SuperStu

[-Bradders-]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but sounds odd but have you tried linseed oil? works a treat and stays black for about 6-8 months

[Stutopia]

Can't believ no one has said peanut butter yet

[Baidan]

How about peanut butter!! ,,,, ahh dam it...

[Lexx]

C4 is excellent stuff and lasts a long time.

 

I use Nanolex Trim Rejuvenator. It's considerably cheaper than C4.

Lasts about 6 months. Here is a 50/50 pic of it being applied:

 

[Baidan]

Today I actually purchased PoorBoys Trim Restorer Interior & Exterior Dressing 16oz (473ml) FREE MicroFibre cloth, as recomended on here from Amazon, £11.40

 

[coldel]

Nanolex, stunningly good stuff, used it on the VX220 you can see the difference in the image below:

 

[ilogikal1]

C4 is excellent stuff and lasts a long time.

 

I use Nanolex Trim Rejuvenator. It's considerably cheaper than C4.

Lasts about 6 months. Here is a 50/50 pic of it being applied:

 

Yep, that.

 

C4 is good and will last a while in itself - although care needs to be taken when applying it to textured plastics as it wants to fill the gaps between the high points of you're a bit hamfisted with the application, you need to work it into those gaps.

 

Nanolex is, IMHO, better though and it's easier to apply particularly to textured trim and can be slapped onto anything with just a foam applicator. It's got a slightly longer flash time over C4 so it's easier to spread.

 

You shouldn't have too much issue with either, to be honest, but to get the best durability the plastics need to spotlessly clean, so spend a bit of time on them with an APC and if you've got any an IPA wipe down just before applying the LSP would help (it's not essential though).

 

 

Can't remember if I did it, but I think you can put UV protector on top to make it last longer. But check that out before doing it.

 

Ilogikal1 is the man to ask on this stuff.

 

Cheers Stu,

 

Both C4 and the Nanolex provide UV protection so it's not essential to top either - I'm not sure much would bond to either anyway actually but not sure on that.

[Stutopia]

I found nanolex a bit greasy - maybe used too much product

[Jp606]

Nanolex, I've not found anything better yet.

 

^too much product! Use sparingly and buff off excess.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Jp606

[ilogikal1]

I found nanolex a bit greasy - maybe used too much product

 

Yeah, probably too much product. Shake the bottle to mix it up before each use too, it separates quite quickly. Polished Bliss recommend buffing no more than one minute after applying and by following their method I've not had any greasiness (or streaking as some people seem to complain about) with it at all - although I've found even if you slap it on you can buff it back and then buff again shortly after (about 30 seconds ish) to get the same finish.

[Ricey]

I found nanolex a bit greasy - maybe used too much product

 

Yeah, probably too much product. Shake the bottle to mix it up before each use too, it separates quite quickly. Polished Bliss recommend buffing no more than one minute after applying and by following their method I've not had any greasiness (or streaking as some people seem to complain about) with it at all - although I've found even if you slap it on you can buff it back and then buff again shortly after (about 30 seconds ish) to get the same finish.

 

Same with poorboys.....too much and it's everywhere.

 

I managed it all the bastard time and I'm detailing for a living!

 

30 sodding minutes mopping off the damn stuff because I'm too ham fisted with it!

[The Seasider]

Aerospace 303 is about the best you can get in my opinion - I'm a recent convert from autoglym which I always liked just after it was done, but as the author said it doesn't last too long. The 303 is peerless for under bonnet show and shine.

[ilogikal1]

303 is water based. Whilst it is great for interior trim and under the bonnet, it simply washes off as soon as it gets wet so it's virtually useless on exterior trim in this country.

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Thanks for all the advice guys really appreciated

 

Have ordered the Nanolex so ill post up some pictures of the finished article.

 

Quick question and excuse my ignorance whats an APC and IPA?

[Lexx]

APC is all purpose cleaner.

Don't bother paying for the expensive ones from retailers. Just get a bottle of Daisy from Tesco for 80p

 

IPA is isopropyl alcohol.

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Thanks Lexx

[ilogikal1]

As Lexx said, any cheap All Purpose Cleaner will do the job. Just use the liquid stuff, the cream versions aren't so good for this.

 

If you wanted to use an IPA you can get it from chemists - it needs to be diluted (usually 3 or 4:1 for the 90%+ stuff but you can get different strengths) with water, so you don't need all that much of it really, they'll likely sell IPA swabs (those pre-injection wipes) - but you can use panel wipe or something equivalent instead, basically anything that'll remove any trace of oils or grease on the surface. If you haven't got anything like that lying around already I wouldn't bother buying any just for this one job though, to be honest.