B-pillar post trim
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- rbgosling
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B-pillar post trim
Now that my paint is all shiny and new, inevitably that shows up the rest of the exterior. In my case, I'd say the most obvious is the not-very-black B-pillar trim.
Does any one have any experience / suggestions / advice for how to improve this? I believe there are various back-to-black treatments out there, I imagine some may work better than others, so personal experience is a good guide for me.
If it works on the window frame too all the better, but if necessary I could go for a different product (Hammerite???) for that.
Does any one have any experience / suggestions / advice for how to improve this? I believe there are various back-to-black treatments out there, I imagine some may work better than others, so personal experience is a good guide for me.
If it works on the window frame too all the better, but if necessary I could go for a different product (Hammerite???) for that.
Last edited by rbgosling on Fri Jul 30, 2021 17:02, edited 1 time in total.
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
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Re: B-pillar post trim
I use Autoglym black trim dye - gives a nice finish but does need fairly frequent re-application. It must be good because you can’t get it off your hands.
Cheers, Richard
Cheers, Richard
- Alan_M
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Re: B-pillar post trim
I’ve not used it yet, but have been recommended this by professional restorers - Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer
- bash
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Re: B-pillar post trim
Have you tried rubbing it with a cloth soaked in wd40......errrr, oh eck. It does work but it will need redoing every so often. Ive also heard of people using peanut butter...or was that on another website !
Bash
Bash
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
- rbgosling
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Re: B-pillar post trim
OK, I've done a little research, starting with the products Alan and Richard suggested.
There seem to be two general categories:
Then there is a choice of:
The products that pop up on the briefest of Google searches are:
There seem to be two general categories:
- Stuff that applies a clear film over the surface which restores the look, and can be used on any colour
- Stuff that is a black dye or paint, that obviously only is for black trim
Then there is a choice of:
- aerosol or
- paste / liquid
The products that pop up on the briefest of Google searches are:
- Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer, £12.60.
- Forever Car Care Products Forever Black Bumper & Trim Kit, £15 - this includes a cleaner solution and applicator, as well as the dye.
- CarPlan Trim Wax, Black, £5.50 - sceptical at this price, and I'm guessing this is a more apply-every-wash type product while I'd hope the others would be a little more long-term. But I'm just guessing.
- Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, £16. Seems expensive for a small bottle, which I'd hope means it's quality stuff! Claims to be long lasting, and certainly has plenty of good reviews.
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
- MetBlue
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Re: B-pillar post trim
Be very interested in how this thread develops. I am going through very similar thoughts.
The black plastic bits in the front bumper got a spray of satin black paint for various reasons, but the B post trims and window frames need something a bit more durable than a black trim cleaner IMO.
Tony
The black plastic bits in the front bumper got a spray of satin black paint for various reasons, but the B post trims and window frames need something a bit more durable than a black trim cleaner IMO.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.
- rbgosling
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Re: B-pillar post trim
I ended up going with this stuff, "Solution Finish" - very small bottle (half of which seems to be the ball bearing used to stir it up when shaking) for £16 from Amazon, but don't need much.
Very pleased with the results so far. Gives a very nice finish, nice and matte and even too. I've used it so far on the B-pillar trim, and the door mirror surrounds and plinth. I'll give it a try on the sunroof surround, and then that's probably all the black plastic trim I've got. On the B-pillar I followed the advice to wipe it on with a cloth, but for the door mirror I used a kid's paintbrush to get into the grooves.
Time will tell if the finish is durable, but for now I'm happy.
(Yes, I know my shiny new paint is dirty already! I'm not afraid to use the car, even when it looks this good)
Very pleased with the results so far. Gives a very nice finish, nice and matte and even too. I've used it so far on the B-pillar trim, and the door mirror surrounds and plinth. I'll give it a try on the sunroof surround, and then that's probably all the black plastic trim I've got. On the B-pillar I followed the advice to wipe it on with a cloth, but for the door mirror I used a kid's paintbrush to get into the grooves.
Time will tell if the finish is durable, but for now I'm happy.
(Yes, I know my shiny new paint is dirty already! I'm not afraid to use the car, even when it looks this good)
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
- Tanz
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Re: B-pillar post trim
Cheers, Phil
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!
- MetBlue
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Re: B-pillar post trim
Looking for an update Richard on how durable the little pot of black stuff is.
9 months on, is it still on the recommended list.
Looking to do mine now the better weathers arrived.
Tony
9 months on, is it still on the recommended list.
Looking to do mine now the better weathers arrived.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.
Re: B-pillar post trim
Judicious use of a heat gun. Then protection with silicone or some armor all type product.
Most of the dyes don't last.
Most of the dyes don't last.
Re: B-pillar post trim
Then you were not judicious....
I did the entire radiator skirt for my Exige. When mounted it is inaccessible. Still looks good 6 years later.
There are videos on youtube
They are thermoformed plastic[probably ABS] so they are heated until floppy then sucked into a die to form. The heat won't hurt them, but over heating them will result in losing their shape
[edit] I would still stick with just armor all if the heat doesn't seem safe to you. Been using to keep the switches on my +2 black for over 35 years and it works. I find that black dye stuff streaks and fades unevenly and is more trouble than it is worth
I did the entire radiator skirt for my Exige. When mounted it is inaccessible. Still looks good 6 years later.
There are videos on youtube
They are thermoformed plastic[probably ABS] so they are heated until floppy then sucked into a die to form. The heat won't hurt them, but over heating them will result in losing their shape
[edit] I would still stick with just armor all if the heat doesn't seem safe to you. Been using to keep the switches on my +2 black for over 35 years and it works. I find that black dye stuff streaks and fades unevenly and is more trouble than it is worth
- rbgosling
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 22:55
- Model: Lotus Excel SE
- Colour: Midnight Blue
- Year: 1990
- Location: Rugby
Re: B-pillar post trim
It's still looking black! Stuff seems to work, and last well so far. Even if it starts to fade a bit after a couple of years, I could happily accept having to re-do it at that frequency, but certainly after 9 months it still looks good. No streaking, no uneven-ness.
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)