Using Solution Finish to Restore Running Boards - 2018 Chevy Silverado

[Mike Phillips]

Using Solution Finish to Restore Running Boards - 2018 Chevy Silverado


Over the weekend I detailed my brother-in-law's boat and truck. The truck is a 2018 Chevy Silverado High Country with the power retracting running boards.





PJ bought this truck new but has never used anything to protect or maintain the exterior plastic trim including the plastic on the running boards. He asks me,


Do you have anything for this ugly plastic on the running boards?


I'm thinking, I work at Autogeek! Of course we have products of this type of exterior black plastic. When I washed the truck I machine scrubbed the running boards, and this is key to using anything to treat or dress this type of plastic. Looking at the plastic and how faded it's turning, I handed PJ a bottle of Solution Finish and a microfiber applicator pad. I told him to apply it, work it in and over the plastic like you would apply skin lotion to sunburned skin. I also told him, if you get any on the chrome or paint - use a microfiber towel and simply wipe it off.


Here's the running boards after a thorough cleaning - this is a LOT of plastic to take care of!






Here's PJ applying Solution Finish - I love watching other people work!




Working his way down the running board. Me? I would have grabbed the Speed Master Rolling Detailer's Cart to sit on instead of bending over.

By the way, the Speed Master Rolling Detailer's Cart is NOT a car - it's a chair with wheels.





Look at the difference! Freaking HUGE difference.

And regular treatment will keep these running boards looking brand new.





The untreated plastic doesn't even look black.





Side-by-Side





Just a little more real-estate to go and he's done with the passenger side.







FIXING STAINED PLASTIC

I cleaned the plastic on the backs of the rear fenders TWICE. And scrubbed it hard with both a car wash and an APC and whatever road PJ has been driving down the dirt/mud has permanently stained the plastic.







Watch how well Solution Finish repairs and restore stained plastic.







And BOOM!





Plastic looks NEW again!









Review

Solution Finish by Chris West is a solid performer for restoring a deep, black appearance to faded black plastic. The key is getting the plastic really clean first. Understanding how Solution Finish works is also key. Solution Finish is NOT a dressing. It's Carbon Black, which is a pigment - ground to the size of a VIRUS. And this is why it's key to get the plastic CLEAN. Plastic is not normally absorbent. But if you get it clean, then due to the miniature size of the pigment - it can and will penetrate into the plastic to restore the dark black color.

Make sense?

Then if you want to, you can then apply your favorite dressing OVER the Solution Finish treated plastic and the dressing will build on the results created by Solution Finish. Depending upon the dressing, you can also be adding UV protection as well as water-proofing the surface.

I've never seen Solution Finish not work as long as the plastic was first properly cleaned. For the plastic on the running boards, I told my brother-in-law to drive the truck for a few days and then bring it back and we're going to apply a second application of the Solution Finish and after this second application - then we'll apply a topper to lock it in. Stay tuned.



The MOST IMPORTANT THING

Here's the most important thing - if you buy a new car, truck or suv and it has black plastic trim on it anywhere - then RIGHT NOW - before it fades, wash and clean the trim and start what we call,

Preventive Maintenance

Go ahead and apply the Solution Finish to the brand new trim on your vehicle and then lock it in with your favorite topper. Don't wait for the sun and weather to take its toll and fade and damage the plastic - be PRO ACTIVE and by doing so - your car's black plastic trim will always look brand new.


And for what it's worth...

I love PJ to death but he's not what I would call,

Into car detailing

Point being - if he can do this type of stuff - you can do it too...



Done!

And after tackling the exterior and the interior - this truck looks better than new and is ready to hit the road again!






On Autogeek.com

Solution Finish Black Plastic & Vinyl Restorer 12 oz.

All Solution Finish Products

[Mike Phillips]

More...

Here's some more detailing work I was able to get PJ to do to his own truck...


Review: Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish - Exhaust Tip Polishing - RUPES Nano

BEFORE





AFTER







Again, if he can do it - you can do it too!

[PaulMys]

Solution finish works GREAT!

I have never had a problem keeping the plastic trim on the Ram looking good except for the two strips on either side of the windshield.

I'm not sure if the material is different or what, but they started to gray up even with regular care.

Solution Finish fixed that permanently.

Like Mike said, get the trim CLEAN. And a little goes a very long way.

[TMQ]

I've had it on hand---just never had a need to use yet.

OK...everyone says get trim clean. So what do you use the get the trim clean?

Tom

[PaulMys]

I've had it on hand---just never had a need to use yet.

OK...everyone says get trim clean. So what do you use the get the trim clean?

Tom

Like I mentioned above, Tommy...... I just had to clean the two pieces on either side of the windshield (About 3/4" x 24".)

I used an IPA/distilled water mix and a stiff tooth brush.

[TMQ]

Thanks Paul....

Simple enough!

Tom

[Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN]

Like I mentioned above, Tommy...... I just had to clean the two pieces on either side of the windshield (About 3/4" x 24".)

I used an IPA/distilled water mix and a stiff tooth brush.

What was your ratio of IPA to distilled water? For stubborn trim I typically use Meguiar's APC diluted 4:1.

I may start using your ratio of IPA/distilled water or perhaps Meguiar's Surface Prep M122 as a secondary cleaning step.

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[mc2hill]

I've had it on hand---just never had a need to use yet.

OK...everyone says get trim clean. So what do you use the get the trim clean?

Tom

I took a page from Mike's book (literally? not sure, I haven't read the whole thing yet...don't tell me how it ends!) and picked up some brushes for my tools. A set for the drill, a set that thread on a PC, and the blue hook-and-loop one's Mike uses (and a few cheap backing plates so I don't have to try to separate the BP and the brush).

I use them with a non-AG tire & rubber cleaner, and it works great!

[MarkD51]

I wonder how this one would fare in a head to head comparo against Solution Finish? I have some of this on hand, but never used it.

I'm hoping that the day I do eventually use it, that it is still usable, and hasn't expired past its use date?

Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer

[Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN]

I wonder how this one would fare in a head to head comparo against Solution Finish? I have some of this on hand, but never used it.

I'm hoping that the day I do eventually use it, that it is still usable, and hasn't expired past its use date?

Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer

I was thinking the same! I'd bet the PBL will be good, but I'd contact the manufacturer in order to find out the shelf life. Please let us know!

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