Faded black mirror housing restore

Has anyone had any success in restoring some of the luster to the black plastic mirror housing? I’ve been giving my Tacoma a bit of long-overdue detailing love and in addition to a good polish, underbody fluid film treatment, new Weather Mat floor mats and a front bumper replacement (separate thread), I was wondering if there was anything I could do to restore the sun-faded black plastic on the mirrors. The picture is a bit deceiving because I just wiped the plastic down, so it appears much more glossy in the picture than it is, but I’d like it be this glossy again.

 

I use Mother's Back-to-Black on all my trim. It comes in two kinds: paste and spray. With the paste you have to wipe it on and buff it off after it dries. With the spray you simply spray it on and let it dry, then buff off any overspray that lands on your paint or glass. I definitely prefer the ease of the spray. Works amazing and lasts for months before you have to reapply it.

 

Black to back as others said. If they are too far gone you can plastidip them like I did. Was about to replace them till I read up on here. Used grey scotch brite to lightly sand them, followed by alcohol then multiple coats of black plastidip. Turned out like new. I use liquid car wax on them after each wash.

 

Mothers and Mcquires rule this field......one or the other is almost always in one of the monthly ad slicks......
Mcquires comes in aero spray or paste......and Mothers mostly comes in a thick milk like squirt bottle.......the concentrated Mothers is kinda pricy......twice the mcquires....

The squirt mothers can be used on all your suspension/under carriage bushings to make em last longer.......Same as the ATp 205.......

 

Yep... Mothers back to black. For old/faded weather stripping around the windows try 303 rubber seal protectant... might have to go over the rubber a few times but the stuff works.... my 15 year old seals look like new.

 

Awesome thanks so much for the feedback. I’ll swing by Advanced Auto tomorrow to see if they have the Back to Black on the shelf, otherwise I’ll just order it.

 

I just wax my mirrors with Griot’s Best of Show wax at the same time I’m waxing the whole truck. Keeps them looking great for a long time. Mothers Back to Black washes away too fast in my experience with using it.

Edit: Added photo, but mirrors look much glossier in person.

 

Be sure to visit the detailing forum.

I like C4 GTechniq trim restorer. I find it lasts over a year outside in Fl sun. I use it on all black plastic bits.

I will eventually try Cerakote ceramic trim restorer. Much less expensive, but worth a try.

I gave away the last of my 303, Back to Black and haven't touched anything Armor All in decades. All too temporary.

For interior plastics/vinyl I use Klasse, for the tonneau I use Raggtopp cleaner and treatment.

 

This stuff works amazing for SoCal faded plastics. Lasts forever too. Found this product from following detailers.

 

I use this stuff on my fender flares.

 

You tried propane torch? Doesn't work on all plastics but those it does, it works amazingly

 

My cousins use black shoe Polish. Worth a shot if the other products don’t work.

 

That's how they restore stadium seats. Seen that done before.

 

Krylon fusion

 

Worked extremely well on my fender flares and I plan to use it on my mirror housings (some day!)

 

How did you prep your flares?

 

As a painter I'd scotch pad and clean em.....

let dry .....and then then ectch wash with alcohol or stronger.....

First coat super thin......and that will help the 2nd coat flow out evenly......

 

See especially details by @CS_AR at https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-trim-refurbish-job-pictures.603564/

Also, Krylon Fusion is now replaced by Krylon Fusion All-In-One for plastic and metal. Use color BLACK SATIN.


I followed instructions from @CS_AR and had great success:
"Clean with a detergent like DAWN to remove road grime and dirt.
After washing, use mineral spirits to clean the trim pieces before repainting. This cleaning process will remove some of the original paint. No sanding or priming is required."