Restoring Faded Plastic Trim: Bringing Gray Back to Black

Give the car a proper wash first. Don't just wipe the trim. You need to get all the grit and bird droppings off the entire area so you're not dragging dirt into the plastic while you work.

Spray your APC or degreaser directly onto the plastic. Use your brush to agitate it. You'll see the suds turn brown or gray, that's years of road film and old silicone coming out.

Rinse it off thoroughly. Now, wait. Then wait some more. Water hides in the gaps between the plastic and the paint. If a drop of water runs out while you're applying the restorer, it'll ruin the finish.

If you've got white marks from old car wax on your black plastic, wet a Magic Eraser and gently rub those spots. It'll lift the wax out of the grain where a brush can't reach.

Wipe the trim with your Isopropyl Alcohol mix. This removes any leftover soaps or oils. The plastic should look 'dead' and dry after this. That's exactly what we want.

Tape off the paint surrounding the trim. I've seen blokes try to be 'precise' without tape. One slip and you've got a permanent black smudge on your silver paint. Just tape it, mate.

Touch the plastic. If it's too hot to hold your hand on, it's too hot to work. Wait for the arvo or pull it into the garage.

Most restorers like Solution Finish have pigments that settle at the bottom. Give it a proper shake for a good minute.

Put a few drops (not a puddle) onto your foam applicator. A little goes a long way.

Work the product into the plastic using small, overlapping circular motions. You want to ensure it's getting into the texture of the plastic.

After a minute or two (depending on the product instructions), take a clean microfibre and lightly wipe over the area. This removes the excess and prevents a greasy look.

Look at the trim from different angles. If it looks uneven, apply a second very thin coat immediately to even it out.

These are the hardest because of the vents. Use a small detailing brush to get the restorer into the little slats. Don't leave pools of liquid in there.

These often fade faster than the mirrors themselves. Take your time here as they are usually high-visibility areas.

If your handles are plastic, make sure you buff them dry. Nobody wants a handful of trim restorer when they try to get in the car.

Once finished, let the car sit. Most of these products need 4-24 hours to fully cure before they get wet.

Pull the painters tape off at a sharp angle to ensure a clean line.

Use a torch to check for any 'high spots' or spots where you might have bumped the paint. Clean up the paint with a bit of quick detailer if needed.