Faded trim, question about ceramic coating

[JChastain]

Guys,
My 02 Tahoe's plastic trim is faded and I was wondering if ceramic coating with dlux would bring the finish back and keep it that way permantly? If not what other options do I have? Thanks

[DrBeasleys]

Most ceramic coatings are designed to bond to paint. You could use a plastic restore type of product and then keep it all together with a sealant on top.

[JChastain]

Dlux says it's for plastic and wheels. Not sure how it works though..

[DrBeasleys]

Haven't used Dlux, but if it's safe for plastic it wouldn't hurt to try

[JChastain]

Curious if I need to use something else prior to it to restore color..

[DrBeasleys]

If you clean everything really well, the plastic would be ready for Dlux. Applying a conditioner type product before the Dlux might impede or change the way bonding occurs, which is no good.

[KMG]

You will want to clean it thoroughly before applying the trim coating. DLUX or Gtechniq C4 will certainly darken the trim and keep it dark for a long time, however it will not be permanent. If your looking for a permanent solution you could do what I did with a Tahoe we used to own. I picked up Krylon plastic paint in a satin black finish and painted all the trim black (previously a gray color).
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hQKSkh1iO7-Rf1zWKNGpcyfjmEt2bQjsoXu7yDuxRiZUdj3WIAFmz4kHOkJt_ 2Es9JpjQ6Dazile2pVwb8muwv9LLyNAhD-mTSGPV8ZdOKeVUBJApPvFpa6V2DqTIlXXMLIEcaK7FwD9FQBSW ye3cS1oZYC7EBg3--bczYWpzX5oJk_Y-xWMBBKXxY-RWs29JzOyJ6GQ6WdoPyZcoLho1NPMlryO6H8hMjadnE1TVrms5 93l7j1EyXL1bNluY6wpmBkjV_cT_SCsbsP2z8mDmjWqcQ2L5aP ookwsow5D1ucCzBcDQc-Q1UN3YrhFC6_9Z8zr2bvP6x467c6dPJJHArGMffwi47RYmimDb aVAP3bouuQzWzw4PIptjXDVlUeesC44URg-br3x6Ejlsi2QEc5MrAgHXiGWsqyMCj3Jcd1rLpkWGwu02ODRh0 gyJbLmCeHmljaQzI1ijKC89QNQurG_8C3EoLV3trZ0QTXuy85R eY0WFcWfPM2W0saRD2tXhRe2u9-AIOrNLq8IxsoQvHkbfKJ4N2QDyR6507TicnHhmqk_dPwXbKtIW e-LPQnIC1sMKVG9tgHCa1WVmfFV2FSi2lHdMr4Pu1v7h7rukZh0J 9EoBIc0=w1200-h798-no

[The Guz]

You may want to restore it with Solution finish

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, trim restorer, black plastic restorer (http://www.autogeek.net/solution-finish-restorer.html)

The seal it in with a trim sealant like this one

Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, rubber trim sealant, rubber protectant, exterior trim products, metal sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-trim-sealant.html)

Or coat it with something like this for longer longevity.

Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer, rubber trim sealant, trim restorers, gtech c4 (http://www.autogeek.net/gtech-c4-trim-restorer.html)

I found GTechniq to be easier to work with than DLUX. Both work well.

[Cruzscarwash]

nothing is ever going to be permanent, if it was everyone would have it

[oneheadlite]

I would go with Guz's recommendations.

[Rsurfer]

You may want to restore it with Solution finish

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, trim restorer, black plastic restorer (http://www.autogeek.net/solution-finish-restorer.html)

The seal it in with a trim sealant like this one

Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, rubber trim sealant, rubber protectant, exterior trim products, metal sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-trim-sealant.html)

Or coat it with something like this for longer longevity.

Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer, rubber trim sealant, trim restorers, gtech c4 (http://www.autogeek.net/gtech-c4-trim-restorer.html)

I found GTechniq to be easier to work with than DLUX. The key to using Dlux is super thin coats, work small sections and do not keep wiping over especially when it starts to flash. Both work well.:props:

[Crispy]

You may want to restore it with Solution finish

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer, trim restorer, black plastic restorer (http://www.autogeek.net/solution-finish-restorer.html)

The seal it in with a trim sealant like this one

Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, rubber trim sealant, rubber protectant, exterior trim products, metal sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-trim-sealant.html)

Or coat it with something like this for longer longevity.

Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer, rubber trim sealant, trim restorers, gtech c4 (http://www.autogeek.net/gtech-c4-trim-restorer.html)

I found GTechniq to be easier to work with than DLUX. Both work well.

I would go with the C4.

It works really well and so far (2 years almost) still looks like new on windsheild moulding.

Wurth makes a Trim Coating (really a paint) that is self etching and it resores to factory black.

Used the Wurth on the plastic inner fenders and after 1 year still look like new (this is a very caustic enviroment for a finish but not exposed to UV, which causes the fading).

[The Guz]

I would go with the C4.

It works really well and so far (2 years almost) still looks like new on windsheild moulding.

Wurth makes a Trim Coating (really a paint) that is self etching and it resores to factory black.

Used the Wurth on the plastic inner fenders and after 1 year still look like new (this is a very caustic enviroment for a finish but not exposed to UV, which causes the fading).

I agree with you on C4. Working great for me on the front and rear window trim of my grand prix as well just as you stated. Also have it on all the trim of my 2002 Camaro.

I should try this wurth stuff on the fenders of mine.


You will want to clean it thoroughly before applying the trim coating. DLUX or Gtechniq C4 will certainly darken the trim and keep it dark for a long time, however it will not be permanent. If your looking for a permanent solution you could do what I did with a Tahoe we used to own. I picked up Krylon plastic paint in a satin black finish and painted all the trim black (previously a gray color).
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hQKSkh1iO7-Rf1zWKNGpcyfjmEt2bQjsoXu7yDuxRiZUdj3WIAFmz4kHOkJt_ 2Es9JpjQ6Dazile2pVwb8muwv9LLyNAhD-mTSGPV8ZdOKeVUBJApPvFpa6V2DqTIlXXMLIEcaK7FwD9FQBSW ye3cS1oZYC7EBg3--bczYWpzX5oJk_Y-xWMBBKXxY-RWs29JzOyJ6GQ6WdoPyZcoLho1NPMlryO6H8hMjadnE1TVrms5 93l7j1EyXL1bNluY6wpmBkjV_cT_SCsbsP2z8mDmjWqcQ2L5aP ookwsow5D1ucCzBcDQc-Q1UN3YrhFC6_9Z8zr2bvP6x467c6dPJJHArGMffwi47RYmimDb aVAP3bouuQzWzw4PIptjXDVlUeesC44URg-br3x6Ejlsi2QEc5MrAgHXiGWsqyMCj3Jcd1rLpkWGwu02ODRh0 gyJbLmCeHmljaQzI1ijKC89QNQurG_8C3EoLV3trZ0QTXuy85R eY0WFcWfPM2W0saRD2tXhRe2u9-AIOrNLq8IxsoQvHkbfKJ4N2QDyR6507TicnHhmqk_dPwXbKtIW e-LPQnIC1sMKVG9tgHCa1WVmfFV2FSi2lHdMr4Pu1v7h7rukZh0J 9EoBIc0=w1200-h798-no

Looks great Kevin. How is the paint holding up?

[KMG]

I agree with you on C4. Working great for me on the front and rear window trim of my grand prix as well just as you stated. Also have it on all the trim of my 2002 Camaro.

I should try this wurth stuff on the fenders of mine.



Looks great Kevin. How is the paint holding up?

It held up great for the year I had the vehicle after doing this. I ended up selling this vehicle then so I am not sure how it held up after this, however we did end up doing the same thing with my wife's Traverse LTZ that we ended up with. I don't know why GM always put grayish trim on black vehicles, it looks terrible. This has been painted for over a year also and I never do anything to it other then wash it.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OgGck1aEawP1cBBCVXTpw71wr50a1wRjwajt_-CCAA8-PdQeuaQlXH6S-fdsssrA2yJXfJGuGZJitCbepPFopVKeYzQhkj_bfA8eyAzPxA2 ga4W30NcG85xi6mmatsx4TLdjwRrmspEzh-_HkBQ_xzqRuteYt01M8YowMNXclRGYmhcTljfgXehlwjlf20YG FRfpd27lCvs-6dcmbinh3dZ5ow21MlSmngWVQga3gCxS6aGoLZ0ZT1QRHGjrIv KOt2az7xt1p48GOYBFR-sipgQBiEK-HjGn-y7PDkfvJk3GRyX9_N8WpL__Eybdde4_gn-Zvqr1nbw7fW2a7O1IR3G1gMMa66ml-DuZHaPizU1edi__vXZorXB1qGevaN7PhN4xorrSYLlum6lchq7 IUQ9yLsyanuhVgHt727CM_cFtXS_aZC3TKJl0hQxTuPkYj_SY_ assYhYLDkwV8ok4W7tH7fFtDjg3W_d9tJ4gHe5k-ADwkawvVYAMMlVimNJJEsYo2YhaV2QpB3dJiHEi5xXRNdJ2LMz-RSB7I88kciXH_ChjueqmlIcY5icGnC-EK4wHFVYN9Q-j4nvbNerOkYaZCuh3Bk9LyPl08nlf-N1Xk0uOoepw=w1689-h950-no

Here is a comparison to what it did look like before (random photo showing gray trim on bottom)
https://img.1milioncars.com/f2e85551cc099855f12485d07a0e496a_2011-traverse-ltz-black-2010-chevrolet-traverse-black_1024-768.jpeg