Dislikes: 0
-
Super Member
Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Mike P. has already done an excellent review of this product here:
Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
I’m going to defer to the link above for basic information on this product and get right into it.
Since this product is said to last much longer than your regular trim sealants, I decided I would test this out on an area I never bother with because it’s very painful to detail often for a daily driver... trim behind the front grill of our 2016 Audi Q5:
Not the glossy, smooth trim, but the dull, grey, matte trim behind.
As with most ceramic protection products, a clean surface is crucial to maximize the protectant. Since I haven’t done a dedicated wash on this trim ever, I decided I would throw a number of things at it:
(From left to right: Megs APC 1:4 heavy; Mckees Wax Remover for Plastic; Mckees Engine Degreaser; and Wolfgang Paint Prep Spray).
I applied the products in the order shown above, left to right. I used a red, hard bristled brush to get in there.
With the cleaning/prep done, it was time to figure out which applicator to use.
-The product has dye in it, so use gloves.
-Only a little bit is needed on the applicator at a time.
-It has a heavy solvent smell.
-It did dry on my applicator every 3-5 minutes so I would simply reapply as needed.
The last picture above has the top row with trim applied and the bottom without.
Initial application went on easy. If I applied too much pressure though, the dye would become uneven. Going back over it lightly would make the coat more uniform. Note also that it dries more uniform looking than when it’s wet.
To get the corners and edges I used a Q-tip:
I wiped off the excess as best I could in the tight spaces. This was a challenge and I surely didn’t do a perfect job.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Wow, that's a lot of work. I would have used a spray (aerosol) engine detailer and be done with it.
However, it was a nice review.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Continued...
Finally, completion of this terribly difficult trim:
Final thought:
This stuff is really nice if it lasts awhile. My previous favorite trim sealant is Mckees Trim Restorer die to ease of use, spreading, the restored look and longevity (2-3 months before I reapply). The PBL Trim Restorer is very close in ease of use and spreading. To be honest, it may be tied, it’s hard to tell since I never worked inside the grill like this... but all things considered, it wasn’t too terrible given how this applies. If Mckees has a slight edge it’s because it stays wet longer. Where the PBL product really excels is the deep black look it gives. The trim looks better than new and it now blends in with the glossy, smooth trim that’s at the front of the grill. Longevity is yet to be seen, but if it can go 4-6 months with still looking nice, this would be my new favorite.
It is a little pricey but barely any was used during this application and I wasn’t trying to use sparingly. This bottle should last me years maintaining 3 cars even if I have to do it every 3-4 months. The look is very high quality, deeper than any trim protectant I’ve used before.
Some before and afters:
Thanks for reading!
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 2 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Originally Posted by Rsurfer
Wow, that's a lot of work. I would have used a spray (aerosol) engine detailer and be done with it.
However, it was a nice review.
I never went for the aerosol because the smooth, glossy trim is really the eye-draw of the grill and I didn’t want to dull it or grease or it and have to scratch while cleaning it aggressively afterwards. Maybe this is a non -issue and the aerosols wipe right off of smooth trim though?
-
Super Moderator
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Great review! The new Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer is an excellent product.
Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
-
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Awesome write up and review and pictures acuRAS82!
Great work on this hard to reach trim. But it makes a lot of difference and maybe not the parts you coated though but to the glossy chrome looking trim to really get more standing out with the black trim behind it. Also will be interesting to see the real world longevity from this coating. As I know you follow up your testing very good.
Bet it looks awesome when you take a few steps back and see the whole grill and front.
/ Tony
-
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
How does it compare to solution finish? Looks similar.
-
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Very nice review. This is an excellent product.
I too received a bottle and need to get my review together.
-
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Originally Posted by Whitewater25
Looks similar.
Looks similar in that in dyes the trim black. However this is the first product of its kind that I am aware of that has ceramic properties.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Super Member
Re: Review: Pinnacle Black Label Ceramic Trim Restorer
Originally Posted by SWETM
Bet it looks awesome when you take a few steps back and see the whole grill and front.
It does, but pictures don’t do it justice, especially in my garage. Maybe they will look more vivid when I get the car outside tomorrow.
I’m going to find a portion of the X5 M engine compartment to apply this to. That should be a better representation for pictures’ sake. Coming soon.
Similar Threads
-
By Mike Hoekstra in forum Auto Detailing 101
Replies: 1
Last Post: 01-09-2021, 11:50 AM
-
By Mike Phillips in forum Product Reviews by Mike Phillips
Replies: 21
Last Post: 12-09-2019, 10:57 AM
-
By Mike@DedicatedPerfection in forum Product Reviews
Replies: 14
Last Post: 11-18-2019, 01:00 PM
-
By Pats300zx in forum Product Reviews
Replies: 0
Last Post: 10-29-2019, 07:59 AM
-
By PA DETAILER in forum New Car Care Products
Replies: 1
Last Post: 09-28-2019, 04:30 PM
Members who have read this thread: 0
There are no members to list at the moment.
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
31 |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|
Bookmarks