DIY: Black Plastic Restoration

[eco325iX]

Bookmarked, thank you

[luckybk]

Wow, Has anyone tried this on bumper shrouds?

[jhaurimn]

Do you recommend doing this on the front grill?

It will work great on the front grilles. Take the time to take them off the car, wipe them clean, then apply. Wont last forever, but will last for quite a long time and can always be re-applied. Will make them look like they were freshly painted.

[Stan]

Do you recommend doing this on the front grill?

[rzerob]

If you want this to work even better try running a heat gun over top of it for a little bit before using this treatment. Mine looked brand new when I did it. Be careful with the heat gun, just experiment on the cautious side. Or practice with an old or broken piece you are not using before trying on the parts on your car.

[parkerbink]

Just did my 2010 Tundra. Looks great, thanks!

[Shangsta]

I did it last night and I agree with the above poster. It took some trim that was so grey i was convinced that it would need to be painted and made it look black again

[Powling]

I did the linseed oil method a couple weeks ago and it was so stupid easy to do, and made so much extra for applying later on that I don't mind reapplying it every few months.

Heck, its a 25 year old car with 25 year old plastic. I'm not expecting it to be perfectly black unless I am replacing the parts with brand new OEM replacements.

[jhaurimn]

Folks, I hate to just come back and be 'that guy' but linseed oil is what was used in place of modern transparent urethane coatings... before there were urethane coatings.

Apart from the combustion concerns (which should perhaps be studied a little more carefully: in particular, with a thin layer that has already polymerised... you do not need to worry), which really are non-existent, it is meaningfully outperformed in any application by modern products. To include something like a can of Rustoleum matte clear, among others...

Well, ofcourse painting is more effective. But painting requires masking, removal of parts, etc.

There isnt really a permanent solution to trim fading. It happens no matter what product you use. (even your spray can clear coat will fade eventually) This combination however is extremely cheap, very fast to apply, and will last at the very least a few months. Which is comparable to most, much more expensive products.

[nmlss2006]

Folks, I hate to just come back and be 'that guy' but linseed oil is what was used in place of modern transparent urethane coatings... before there were urethane coatings.

Apart from the combustion concerns (which should perhaps be studied a little more carefully: in particular, with a thin layer that has already polymerised... you do not need to worry), which really are non-existent, it is meaningfully outperformed in any application by modern products. To include something like a can of Rustoleum matte clear, among others...

[Mahalaleel]

So it's been a while now. I think the shiny washed off in the car wash, so they're back to chalky.

I may try plasti-dipping the door moldings and the trim around the windows and belt moldings, to see if I really want it all black.

[Hynrgee]

Worked for Me

I tried the 50/50 mix following jhaurimn's instructions and then used Luke's approach to getting cosmoline off the valve cover and intake manifold. What a difference! If I could post photos I would share a pretty dramatic before and after. I've cleaned the engine bay before but it has never looked this good. These are simple and inexpensive approaches to maintaining the car. Thanks for sharing.

[Mfever]

Technically there is no permanent fix. These plastics do require some maintenance. Since I purchased all new trim when my car got repaints, I've been maintaining it with either Aerospace 303 or wolf's trim coat. Awesome products for moisturizing and replenishing some of the oils that the UV rays take away.

[bimmerR75]

Looks like an interesting option to clean them up. I was going to offer that 303 works great on the exterior trim pieces.

I haven't tried this, but would recommend that anyone that cleans their plastics up using the method in this thread then follows that up with application of 303 Aerospace protectant. It will actually help prevent the discoloration and UV damage that you start to see.

My plastics weren't as bad as some in here, but I found that a good cleaning of mine with a mild detergent (dish soap, or whatever you choose, could be just about anything) and then application of the 303 with a periodic touch up does just fine. For more severely discolored plastics, the write up in this thread may be necessary.

Just picked up a set of Euro Grilles, going to do the 50/50 method then after thats wiped clean, going to spray with the 303, hopefully that will keep it looking nice and new.

[DRVN2WN]

Looks like an interesting option to clean them up. I was going to offer that 303 works great on the exterior trim pieces.

I haven't tried this, but would recommend that anyone that cleans their plastics up using the method in this thread then follows that up with application of 303 Aerospace protectant. It will actually help prevent the discoloration and UV damage that you start to see.

My plastics weren't as bad as some in here, but I found that a good cleaning of mine with a mild detergent (dish soap, or whatever you choose, could be just about anything) and then application of the 303 with a periodic touch up does just fine. For more severely discolored plastics, the write up in this thread may be necessary.