B-pillar post trim

Body parts, seats, dash, headlining, windows and stuff!

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rbgosling
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B-pillar post trim

Post by rbgosling »

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.

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Last edited by rbgosling on Fri Jul 30, 2021 17:02, edited 1 time in total.
"Farmer" Richard

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by richardw »

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
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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by Alan_M »

I’ve not used it yet, but have been recommended this by professional restorers - Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by bash »

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 !
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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by rbgosling »

OK, I've done a little research, starting with the products Alan and Richard suggested.

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
My inclination is to go for the latter, since it is a black part and I suspect it will need some applied blackness to actually look black.

Then there is a choice of:
  • aerosol or
  • paste / liquid
The aerosols describe themselves as convenient - as far as I can see it would be far less convenient (unless you have a vast area to do, like a Ka rear bumper), with all the masking and risk of overspray.

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.
I'll pick one. Or maybe throw a die. And let you know how I get on...
"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)

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by MetBlue »

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.
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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by rbgosling »

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.

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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)

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"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)

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by Tanz »

Better late than never but I used this on my M100. Before and after pictures below

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by MetBlue »

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
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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by gusexcel »

Judicious use of a heat gun. Then protection with silicone or some armor all type product.

Most of the dyes don't last.

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by Alan_M »

gusexcel wrote:
Sun May 08, 2022 17:09
Judicious use of a heat gun.
Bad idea - if done a few times it will damage the plastic

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by gusexcel »

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

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Re: B-pillar post trim

Post by rbgosling »

MetBlue wrote:
Sun May 08, 2022 13:07
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
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)

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