Bringing Your Sun-Damaged Trims Back to Life (Mar 2026)

I learned this the hard way when I first started out, if you just slap a restorer over dirty plastic, it'll look blotchy and peel off in a week. Use a decent All Purpose Cleaner (APC) and a stiff brush to scrub the grain. You'd be amazed how much wax residue and old polish gets stuck in there. If you've got white marks from old wax, a pink eraser (like the ones kids use at school) actually works a treat to rub it out. Trust me on that one.

Don't waste your money on those cheap, clear silicone sprays from the servo. They look great for about twenty minutes, then they attract every bit of dust on the road and turn into a sticky mess. Plus, the moment it rains, that silicone runs down your paint and leaves greasy streaks that are a nightmare to get off. I reckon you're much better off with a dedicated trim restorer like Bowden's Own Mr. Black or even a ceramic-based trim coating if you've got the budget.

Never, ever apply these products on a hot day in direct sun. I made this mistake once on a black Commodore on a 35-degree arvo, the product dried instantly and left streaks that I had to literally sand off. Wait until the panels are cool to the touch, ideally in the shade or in the garage. This gives the plastic a chance to actually 'drink' the product in.

You might see blokes on YouTube using a blowtorch or heat gun to bring the oil back to the surface. Honestly, I wouldn't bother. It looks like magic for a month, but it actually makes the plastic more brittle in the long run because you're literally drawing out the last of the internal oils. Stick to a chemical restorer, it's much safer for the car.