My bumper is gray, how to make it black again?

The plastic on my bumper is gray. I'm fairly certain this was black from the factory. How would I go about making it black again? Short of bedliner or paint I mean.

I'm using an old pic because the light shows the color difference better.

Here's a newer one.

 

Mother's *(my bad) Back to Black or some 303 Protectant should do the trick.

Maguires does has a similar product but it's been spotty for results.

 

This.

 

Yep, meguiars back to black

 

Thank you.

EDIT: May be a while before I do this. I need to pull the bumper off and do a little sledgehammer engineering on the brackets.

 

If your careful and take your time, use a hair dryer and heat the plastic up a little. It will bring it back nicely. Also meguires trim detailer or mothers back to black.........

 

I applied some 303 protectant today. Made a huge difference. I'll try and remember to take pics tomorrow when there is some good daylight.

 

Mothers back to black works awesome!!!

 

Another option I just read about: Forever Black- It's a permanenty dye. Apparently nasty on windows and paint- but GREAT on anything you want black.
http://www.properautocare.com/fb-1k.html

Disclaimer: I haven't tried it- but some Maxima guys swear by it...

 

I use a product similar to this that is sold by Griot's. It is a permanent dye. You have to mask the surrounding areas off before applying but it works great.

 

I used some 303 protectant, mostly because it was right next to the bedliner I was looking for. It looks a lot better now, not quite "black" but close.

Before:


After:

It's overcast in the second pic, so the lighting isn't all that great.

 

Still not happy with it? Just paint it black with some rattle-can flat black.

 

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I'm actually quite pleased. I don't expect 12 year old black plastic to be the same deep black as the paint or new fender flares. No matter what, short of paint, you put on it.

 

I would second painting it...
I've used back to black tons of times. Its more of a show room thing. It doesn't last long, (ymmv based on weather). BUT FIRST TRY THIS

go over it with some steel wool till its gone. Steel wool works wonders on that stuff.. but it doesn't protect it from the sun. Do a small spot if you're steel wooling it. it will change the texture slightly depending on how bad the oxidation is. If its light, try some super fine steel wool. If its a mil or two of crunchy oxidation try medium grade. I do it all the time on old cars that are beyond hope of being black with great results.


If painting is the way to go...
pop off the bumper valance, scrub it super duper mega well using a strong soap with no fancy additives, rinse very well and dry, then wipe down with a wax and grease remover and paint. I wouldn't worry about using a flex paint or anything. It should be hard enough. I also have best luck painting direct with no primer on something like that abs stuff. Light coat. The texture (especially if you steel wool it) will be your adhesion promoter.

If you have crunchy oxidation on it (can take it off with your finger nail) then go over it with some medium steel wool till its gone. Steel wool works wonders on that stuff.. but it doesn't protect it from the sun. Do a small spot if you're steel wooling it. it will change the texture slightly depending on how bad the oxidation is. If its light, try some super fine steel wool. I do it all the time on old cars that are beyond hope of being black with great results.

 

dude, put some armor all on that thing. If that doesnt work post me as an idiot

 

Armor all won't work. and frankly I think it helps get gunk on your stuff. With UV windows now-a-days.. I stopped using it. Occasionally use the low shine stuff on my dash very sparingly. But it can't bring back oxidation.

 

I use Xymol Vinyl protectant... works wonders even on the fender flares and the inside dash/door

 

I use 303 on everything. It works great. Looks like it did a pretty good job.

 

I hit my plastic with back to black every other time I wash my truck, which is every week.

Its not that big of a pain, and doesn't really take long. It also seems the more you use it and it starts absorbing into the plastic, the better it works the next time.