How do you guys make plastic bunpers new again?

What do you do to get that faded plastic bumper new again? I have heard heat gun and other coatings

 

Try this

$17 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Guaranteed Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SHJVK4G?th=1

did it on my wife's 2014 Rav4 which we have had a few years. The rear bumper was replaced 2 yrs ago. You can't tell which one is the new one just by the look of them..

 

This is worth a watch. He does objective testing with no paid endorsements. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AayYUKBfrtw

 

Those products seem to temporarily cover up the problem. I posted a similar question and someone said to buff them using a compound or compound wax. I found it worked best with a wool applicator, worked like a charm. It takes the same effort and pressure as regular ol waxing.

 

Have you got a link to the Wax you used?

 

I had this stuff lying around, any similar compound with those little grits in it that feel like sand should work.

 

anything advertised as "removes heavy oxidation" is a good bet

 

Are you talking about the paint matched part or the black trim part?

SEM trim and bumper coating, if the latter. Similar to painting but seems to bond better and give a more factory finish

 

This. Try it. Did mine a year ago and it still looks new. And that box will do about 4 vehicles worth of taco trim, or more.

 

I buffed mine out with a rotary buffer and McGuires 105 and 205. I posted a before and after of the black wheel arches someplace on the forum. Also did my front black plastic and it worked great. I found the black restore products made them look great for a week but the over time made them white and chalky and crappy. Buffer took all that off. GL

 

I did the Cerakote treatment on my wife's vehicle about 3 yrs ago, I only remember because spring of 2023 we had the rear bumper replaced and I've had several people unable to tell the difference in the colour and condition. Not so bad considering I haven't reapplied anything since and I live in New England. YMMV of course.

I want to say I used about 4 pieces on the Rav4, but that had a lot more of that trim than my Tacoma (which I have not done yet).

 

The oxidized and faded layer of plastic is still there though, sure it will last longer if you have a garage and live where you live. For the same price and same amount of effort you can just REMOVE the oxidation with buffing compound. It makes no sense to use those products.

 

The garage I do not have, sadly..low clearance to the point I can't get either truck beneath the door.

That said, I'm okay with getting several years so far from the Cerakote but perhaps next time I'll give that stuff you used a go with my Porter Cable.

 

https://gtechniq.com/shop/auto/whee...5CInZcZZcvAR6pS2PLPGGOMcWV0_UhvwUfDH1AFWrSxFb