Black wheel arch trim revived (and the finish results will last)

[dpbayly]

If like mine your arch trim has turned more grey and patchy then this is a trick you should try.

I had tried all the chemicals you can buy to make them look like new but they never last and basically just mask the damage where as this corrects it.

how they looked before:





and after (like they did out the factory):





This result was done with the use of a hot air gun and works because the plastic trim is coloured with a colour pigment through out the plastic and over time the UV effect on the surface fades the pigment and by heating it up causes the pigment to rejuvenate on the surface and restoring the factory look and the effects last at least as long as they did before and longer if measures are taken to protect it.

Here's a vid showing it working right before your eyes:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/G3Sm0GIQ9dk[/youtube]

[Sanj]

Another great post buddy!

[Greydog]

Brilliant, where do you learn these things!!!!

[dpbayly]

Thanks guys,

Its a tip a new chap who's just started in our spray shop told me about, he owns a nasty old freelander the ones with the black plastic bumpers and which by now all look white/grey but his were jet black so asked him his secret, the hot air gun trick he did last year and they still look like new.

[Black X5]

They say you learn something new everyday- and I certainly have. Good video and thanks for sharing! )

[X5Sport]

Any tips on how to get old car wax out of the trim? 

I've tried all sorts of things - including baby wipes - but so far nothing seems to really work.  There are various products out there that mask it, but they don't usually last very long and the next time the car is washed or rained on they wash off.

Great post about warming it up again though.  I imagine you have to be careful not to scorch the paint.  My hot air gun runs at about 350C I think!

Richard

[gareth82]

Great post, I am going to try this today 

Thanks

[dpbayly]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Any tips on how to get old car wax out of the trim? 

I've tried all sorts of things - including baby wipes - but so far nothing seems to really work.  There are various products out there that mask it, but they don't usually last very long and the next time the car is washed or rained on they wash off.

Great post about warming it up again though.  I imagine you have to be careful not to scorch the paint.  My hot air gun runs at about 350C I think!

Richard
[/quote]

I had a small area where wax had been accidentally applied to the black trim on the arch and I concentrated the heat a little longer and hay presto its gone cant explain how but its sorted it,

As for the heat damaging the paint I started by tilting the gun nozzle to aim the air away from the paint work but your only flashing it over and after doing the arches and bumpers I was then confident I had no worry about doing the little thin rubber strip along the doors so I did them too and you cant avoid heating the paint but I had no issues.

[jaynana]

great result and you make it look easy  :thumbup:

i'd still be very nervous though next to painted areas..

[psychosis]

That's a really great tip. Not sure I'd have the confidence to do it without protecting the paint in some way.

[X5-MK]

OMG!!!!!! Brilliant

Will be dusting off my heat gun

[Jayx5]

Peanut butter and a tooth brush is a good way to remove polish\wax residue from plastic trim. 

[Steve Blackdog]

WOW!! that is a great tip - thanks 

[Sanj]

Is a hair dryer an option? Or not good enough?

[X5Sport]

[quote="Sanj"]
Is a hair dryer an option? Or not good enough?
[/quote]

Depends upon whether or not you bought it on an 'Indian Discount'.....

Probably not hot enough though, unless it has 'super hot'.  You can always try it.......

And as for Peanut Butter and a toothbrush, my neighbours will really think I've lost the plot!! :blink: :crazy1:

Richard