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Exterior Trim Renewal
Restoring the shine on black trim and other flat finishes
Tom Morr / autoMedia.com
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A variety of car-care products are available to restore and protect painted finishes against the effects of oxidation, ozone and other atmospheric contaminants. However, waxes and polishes can actually create problems when they're over-applied onto plastic bumper covers and other non-metal trim pieces. Trim renewal products are formulated to cut through errant wax and other surface contaminants.
Problems
Trim renewal products are formulated to cut through errant wax and other surface contaminants.
Everyone who has a black bumper cover has watched it fade over time. Oxidation and paint-care products that are inadvertently swirled onto the black surface accelerate this graying.
Car care trim renewal products are formulated to remove this oxidation and protect against further degradation caused by sun, smog, acid rain, other chemicals and airborne contaminants in general. Best of all, many of these dressings will also work on non-black parts: any vinyl, rubber, plastic or other flat-finished exterior trim piece can benefit. Candidates include side moldings, louvers, wiper arms and window trim.
Process
Trim renewal products are easy to use. The accompanying photos show the immediately noticeable differences. Repeat applications will make the trim parts even more brilliant as the product permeates deeper below the surface to renew and protect.
Resources
Armor All, www.armorall.com, Blue Coral/Black Magic/Westley's, www.bluecoral.com, Blue Magic, www.lightningstrip.com/blue.htm, Eagle One, www.eagle.one.com, Griot's Garage, www.griotsgarage.com, Meguiar's, www.meguiars.com, Mothers, www.mothers.com, 3M Co., www.mmm.com, Treatment Products, www.thetreatment.com, Turtle Wax/Formula 2001, www.turtlewax.com
Copyright autoMedia.com 2000-2008
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Required materials: Trim renewal/rubber-vinyl restorer product, a round cotton applicator (which can be cut in half to better apply product to irregular trim contours) and a buffing cloth.
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Shake the product well, then pour it onto the applicator. The cotton-terry applicator pad buffers the surface and promotes even application.
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Working in the shade or in the garage, apply the trim renewal liberally to a cool surface, massage it thoroughly into the surface and allow it to soak in for a few minutes.
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Buff the trim piece to a high gloss with a clean terry cloth or towel. Streaks might require aggressive buffing or even a repeat application.
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Window trim is another likely candidate for revival.
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Although black has the most dramatic results, flat-finished parts of any color can also be revived and restored. Regular product application maintains and protects the surface.
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