Cleaning Restoring Black Car Trim
The TLDR (Too long, didn't read) and the Deep Dive

TLDR:

There are two main approaches: a temporary fix using traditional tire dressing and a more permanent solution using a specialized black trim restorer like Solution Finish.

The temporary fix involves cleaning the trim with an all-purpose cleaner and then applying a dressing like Chemical Guys VRP.

Solution Finish, on the other hand, acts as a dye, penetrating the trim's pores for a longer-lasting effect.

The article also highlights the importance of prevention and preservation.

Modern spray waxes and sealants can be used directly on black trim to maintain its appearance and protect it from fading and discoloration.

Products like Turtle Wax Sealant can be applied to various trim pieces, including fender flares, mud flaps, door handles, and window gaskets.

By following these tips, car owners can keep their black trim looking its best.

The Deep Dive of Cleaning and Restoring Black Car Trim

Cleaning and protecting black car trim has never been easier, thanks to innovative new products. Because let's be honest—what good is shiny paint if your black trim looks faded and worn?

Fortunately, there are now products designed to protect black trim while you wax your car, keeping it looking sharp and fresh. I will show you these products towards the bottom.

First we will take a look at the traditional method of restoring black trim, and then the more permanent method of restoring black trim.

Lazy Man's Way to Restoring Black Car Trim

Using a traditional tire dressing on your black trim represents the easiest way to restore your black trim and why I call this the lazy man's approach.

The VRP below from Chemical Guy's is a quality dressing that will scratch this itch but only on a temporary basis.

Just follow these 2 steps if you want a temporary fix with the least amount of hassle:

• Clean all black trim using a general all purpose cleaner to remove any dirt and oxidation of the plastic
• Apply the VRP with your choice in an applicator

Chemical Guy's VRP on Amazon

• Versatile product that can be used on any vinyl,  rubber, or plastic trim pieces
• Interior and exterior uses
• My "go-to" tire dressing at both a personal and professional level
  
• Dries to the touch!
• True waterborne technology (Think of water based latex paint that goes on wet, but dries to the touch and leaves visual enhancement and protection)
• The winning balance of cost, effort, price, and performance for most people
  
• Will withstand repeated washings
  

Darren's Professional Tips: Dressing Your Tires: the rubber composition of your tire (if using this dressing on your tires) will dramatically effect how ANY tire dressing performs. This means that you need to understand that not all rubber/rubber composition used in making tires is created equal. A high-performance tire is made with far superior rubber composition than an off-road, all-purpose tire and will affect the performance of any tire dressing you are using.

Cleaning Restoring Black Car Trim:
Your "Permanent" Solution

"On a long enough time line the survival rate for everything drops to zero."

This also holds true for even "permanent" black trim restorers.

But don't let me discourage you!

My answer to a permanent fix is found with Solution Finish.

Solution Finish Black Trim Restore on Amazon

• True restoration product
• Silicone free
• Creates an original like appearance without being overly glossy
  
• Consider this as a permanent dye for your cars black trim
• Formulated to penetrate into the pores of black trim pieces on your car
• Good for 6-12 months depending on conditions
  

Prevention and Preservation of Black Vinyl Car Trim

I will finish up by discussing a little known fact most car owners don't know.

There are car "wax" products that can be used directly on black trim to keep the black trim looking tis best! If you have a vehicle with a lot of black trim this will be especially appealing to you.

The Mini Cooper shown here is a prime example of a vehicle with plenty of black trim. You could wait until the trim fades and discolors, but with today’s advanced paint care products, you can protect both the paint and black trim at the same time using just one product.

Pictured Above: Taken from a 5 year old Range Rover, these shots show first hand the benefits of modern day spray waxes can have on black trim (in their many forms) if maintained from day one. I have taken care of this Range Rover since day one, have never used any dressings or treatments of any kind, but have maintained with spray wax to keep the body trim looking like brand new.

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Modern Day Wax Formulations

Welcome to modern day chemical engineering in the form of spray waxes/spray sealants!

I have to admit, when I was first introduced to these marvels of the car care world I was completely blown away simply based on their ability to be used on black trim without any staining.

I had grown up with the first hand experience that car waxes would always stain black trim.

The thought of applying a wax directly onto any black trim pieces regardless of whether it was 100% plastic or rubber, or some hybrid of both, was completely counter to what I had been taught.

Through advanced chemical engineering we now have spray waxes/sealants (and a few paste waxes) that won't stain black trim, but can be used directly on any black trim to maintain the health of this material just as it does to your car paint.

Next Generation of Car Waxes

Turtle Wax Sealant on Amazon

• What I consider the winning balance in a car wax (which is really a sealant)
• Easy to apply, easy to remove
• Non-staining formulation that won't stain black car trim, but can actually be used to maintain black trim when used directly on any of your black car trim
• Use to maintain your black car trim before you have to clean restore black car trim!
  

Use this product anytime you are waxing your car while using it directly on the many types of black trim and accessory pieces:

• Fender flairs.
• Mud flaps
• Lower rocker panel trim pieces.
• Door handles.
• Sun-roof trim molding.
• Window rubber gaskets.
• Roof racks.
  
• Etc., etc.

While this product will not restore faded and stained black trim, it will be able to maintain it if your car is new, or you have recently restored your black trim with a product like the Solution Finish I discussed at the beginning of this page.

Pay it Forward:
Cleaning and Restoring Black Car Trim

I bet you know of at least one or two people in your world that can benefit from the information of cleaning restoring black car trim I have spent much time putting together. You can help me by passing this along or by posting to your favorite social media or forum.

I thank you in advance for visiting cleaning restoring black car trim, and good luck with your car's black trim!

Sincerely,

Darren Priest

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