Window trim dilemma
 

Hey all...

I'm sure everyone here is already familiar with the sport package gloss window trim fading/discoloration problem. My trim is beyond the point of fixing with Scratch X or anything else, the majority of it is completely faded beyond help. I'm considering getting all of it replaced soon. I have a 2001 4.4 with the sport package, and I would like to get some opinions about whether I should replace the window trim with the same high gloss trim, which may eventually develop the same fading problem... or, should I replace it with the matte black trim that comes with the 3.0 (I believe) and theoretically should not get faded or discolored? Would the flat black trim look bad on my sport package X? Anyone have problems with the flat black trim? Thanks.

Peter

What color is your X? I personally like it with the black trim.
Take a picture of your X and photoshop it with black trim. And see how it looks.

the standard trim will fade more badly...cuz it's rubber

I've had great success touching up my gloss black trim with duplicolor ds100 "universal black" . I removed or masked most of it and wet sanded and sprayed the pieces and they match perfectly.

If you are going to replace, probably worth a shot.

The existing trim is the gloss black that comes with the sport package.

Having not worked with Scratch x, can't say for sure....

but if you tape it off right where it meets the rubber moulding, and go to town with it on a rotary or orbital with the right pad and polish, that area should gloss right back up ! I would recommend a white pad with Menzerna Super Intensive Polish and just to finish it off, a black pad with Menzera 106FA....

I've have fantastic results doing this 2X a year with wax right afterwards


BTW, I usually clay this area as well before polishing

I've had the detailer at the dealer and my own detailer try to fix it using orbital polishers and different polishing/cleaning compounds. Nothing worked. They actually made the problem worse. That is why I believe that replacing is the only solution at this point. I suppose I could get a good paint/body shop to paint each individual piece of trim, but there are something like 20 pieces of trim and it would be a really tedious job. I think that would cost more than buying new trim and having it installed. The flat black trim that I've seen on some models isn't rubber, it's the same aluminum but just with a flat black finish. I was wondering if anyone with flat trim had problems with hazing from excess wax getting on it etc. I would think that would be difficult to get off. The only other option is chrome trim, which I don't like at all.

Interesting. I'm no pro detailer but I've been around the block with some degtailing...
I suppose it could be etched since it just appears to be non CC.

Possibly the dealer/detailers might have tried to use a stonger product that what it required.
Any pics.

Why not just go with the Carbon Fiber then as a alternative.

To each his own, but I like the look of the trim once it's all set and clean (then again it goes very well with my Jet Black Pair).

How much does the full set of new "sport" window trim cost roughly? Mine is also going bad (2000 4.4).

If I recall, I think I was quoted around $700 for the flat trim. The sport trim (black gloss) costs more. There are 20 pieces total. Then you have to add several hours of labor. I'm thinking this project could run somewhere between $1200-1800 depending on where you go and which trim you get. I know there are a lot of DIY guides here, but it seems like a really tedious job and I don't want to experiment on my car. I may look into doing this in the next few months, but still haven't decided which trim to replace it with. Someone here mentioned aftermarket carbon fiber... that may look cool, but I've heard that the clear coat over the carbon fiber yellows over time.