Keeping Trim looking new

My truck is newish and the trim looks great. Is there a product that will keep it that way that I don't have to apply every time I wash it? I know C4 will make it look new again but mine already looks new, I just want to keep it that way without applying product every week or so.

 

Let me know if you find something. Need something for wife's 4Runner. Right now it has Gloss coat on it. Think you will have to go with a coating.

 

Been using this for years on all my trim, rubber & Fold-A-Cover bed cover. Easily lasts 3+ months for me. I found it best to dampen your applicator when applying. Highly recommend!

 

x2 ^^

I just jumped on here to post the same thing.

(And while we're on Ultima, the Paint Guard Plus is a really nice sealant. Really quick and easy. Great for our stock clear-coated rims).

 

Not trying to hijack this thread but I just purchased a bottle of Optimum Opti-Seal. This will be my first WOWA sealant. Until now I've been "old school" using the WOWO sealant/wax combo (UPP/845).

 

This is another product that gets good reviews.

 

I think You'll love it.

 

I ordered that last night.

 

Cool. I don't think I have seen that one yet. The before and afters look like a similar finish as C4.

 

what about 303 Aerospace Protectant, great reviews on autogeek.com

 

You have to apply it weekly

 

303 is good stuff.

Mothers Back to Black works great and is cheap and easy to find.

 

Define works great? I have tried that product and it ended up in the garbage. Why buy a product you have to apply after every rain. Yes coatings are more expensive but require a ton less work.

 

Define works great? OK - in my experience it restores chalky, UV damaged motorcycle plastics to like-new, and they stay that way. And it is cheap. You have to apply generously, wait, then buff thoroughly. If it's washing off after a rainstorm, you're not using enough elbow grease.

Try reading the directions next time before you apply it

 

I have read the directions.....it doesn't last. Again there are better products out there and no they do not stay that way. I used on my '06 Frontier. I would lather it all over the plastic lower valance/bumper. No luck. Tried Poor Boys Trim Restorer which eventually made the problem worse thanks to the petroleum distallates....lesson learned. I have tried several products... 303, Mothers Back to Black, Adams VRT, Wolfgang, Poor Boys, Ultima Tire & Trim, and don't forget the grand ol' Armorall (there are probably more that I don't remember)...none of those have lasted like a coating.

 

I used as directed.
I have not had much luck with the back to black product.
Then after some rain it looks worse than before applying.

 

I use Adam's VRT, the old one, which was water-based, don't last long and rinsed off easily. They then came out with super VRT with the polymer blah blah blah.. Lasts a long time and contains spf35, Use it on all my window trim and vinyl bak flip bed cover. I wait a month or two before re-applying. Works great!

And another problem that I think you may have had with trying all these different products is that you may not fully stripped off the old product before applying the new one over it. Like putting a water based product over the oil based ones. Dawn dish soap and elbow grease works wonders for this.

 

It Needs to be applied THIN. When it starts to fade, no need to clean it all off. Just re-coat. I've not used it, but that's what I've read from multiple sources.

 

I didn't try them all at the same time. Most of these weren't even used within same month let alone same year or even the same vehicle for that matter. We are talking approximately 8 years or so. I dont think stripping products is remotely an issue. Dawn is a negative since it tends to dry out plastic and make the issue worse.

Out of all the ones I mentioned Super VRT worked the best out of the dressings. I would be using it now if not for moving to a coating.

 

Personally, I don't mind the 303, even if it does require more frequent application. Nice semi-matte finish on the dash and anything interior. Lasts a long time on interior.

I use it on my bed rails, trim, and headlights and have never had it run. Darkens the plastic a bit. Looks nice. I just spray a microfiber and wipe it down. I often use Duragloss Tire and Rubber Mat Dressing the same way. The DG holds up longer than the 303-- it's awesome on weathertech mats and tires.