Renew/refresh black window/door trim?

[2003x5guy]

Any one know of the best way to refresh the black plastic trim around the doors, windows and roof rack? Window pillar trim? Has a white-ish haze/film either from sun damage or bad wax jobs.

[motordavid]

Many will have their own methods/secret sauces...
On our '01, I use Zaino on the shiny plastic window pillar parts. Barely a water spot in 11 1/2 yrs.

On the trim you mentioned, a careful wash, maybe using Dawn to cut whatever is on there, and I use any of a number of black trim prods, whatever I have and is handy. Currently using Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant, as my local AZ always has it, it isn't expensive, and works for me. I apply it gently and thoroughly with the toe end of an old cotton sock over my fingers. I may or may not go back and wipe gently with clean rag...

There are dozens of 'back to black' prods out there in car care land. You may need a more viscous, pigment filled prod for your first app, if the the trim is really lightened and crummy.

Also, check out the Detail Forum on this site, and a vendor called Detailer's Domain: they have a plethora of high end car car prods.
GL, mD

[TerminatorX5]

for me, the hardest part will be finding a sock without a hole at the toe end!!!

[Ricky Bobby]

Adams Super VRT will bring back a new finish to trim, it is not shiny, and it LASTS because its waterproof.

go to www.adamspremiumcarcare.com to check it out, its pricey, but better than any of the sprays or dyes out there, I use it on my '03 on all the lower bumper and fender trim, windshield wiper cowling, etc. Make sure you clean it well beforehand however, on Adam's site he recommends his All Purpose Cleaner (which I use with fantastic results) but I would recommend simple green as well.


On the sport package gloss black B-pillars, just make sure they are polished and waxed well.

This stuff is also my go to Tire protectant, again with the natural black look to them, no Armor All or silicone here. thats why its called V(vinyl) R(rubber) T(trim).

[Bimmer Tool Rental]

Anything i have ever used fades in a short time and/or dries out. You may be better off pulling the trim and getting it painted or powder coated. May work out a deal with them at a swap meet or car show local to you. I met a guy here in Raleigh at a classic car show that was much cheaper than some of the cold calling quotes i got.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by 2003x5guy

Any one know of the best way to refresh the black plastic trim around the doors, windows and roof rack? Window pillar trim? Has a white-ish haze/film either from sun damage or bad wax jobs.

Depending on how rough the roof rack is, blasting & powder coating may be the best option for a low maintenance, long lasting finish. It's super simple to pop the rails off and back on.

The rubber trim around the windows is a bit of a tricky one....there's a ton of back to black sorts of products. It basically boils down to how much do you want to spend and how often you want to apply these cocktails to keep it looking "new". Depending on how deteriorated the trim is and how mechanically inclined you are, try pricing out new pcs?

BMW makes a CF kit for the pillars, so that's an option to explore...

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

for me, the hardest part will be finding a sock without a hole at the toe end!!!

You can borrow one of my sock in which I can not find the matching sock.