Exterior trim & bumpers fading

[Ed_Strong]

This is regarding my 2000 Windstar with the plastic colored bumpers and trim (not the painted bumpers) Is there any product you guys use to bring them back to life? When I open the rear hatch, the unexposed area of the rear bumper is like 3 or 4 shades darker than the exposed area.
Also this model has the black door handles and the cowl on the front wiper blades that are not only fading but also have a light white haze on them (could be from polishing)
A few years back my Mom-in-law had a Dodge Ram Van with the same style bumpers and trim and when I used ArmorAll on them it actually stained the plastic making it look even worse, so I don't think I'll be using that on the Winnie.

[chasealley]

Hi Ed,

I'm glad to be able to respond because I've found a couple products which worked real well for me for the last 6 years. I used to detail cars for about 12 years before that and used various products without being satisfied.

In 2001 I found a great online site called properautocare.com which has a bunch of info. They suggested a product called "Black Again" and another called "303 Aerospace Protecant". I use them both regularly now.

I just bought a Windstar a few months ago and did before and after pics but don't have a way to post them here (that I know of), sorry.

However, if you've never done this before start with the "Black Again." It is petroleum based so it REALLY deep cleans and will get the old wax and stuff out. It has to sit in the sun for about 30 minutes to activate it. I usually rub off as much as possible after that (usually 24 hours) because it attracts dust like mad!

After you've done the "Black Again" to bring the color back you can use 303 for protecting it. This stuff actually repels dust and leaves a real natural look. If you look up 303 on google you should go to their website because they also have a great list of uses for it. I use it on everything. It is super on weatherstrip and makes it look better than new and not shiney like other silicone based stuff. I used it on the outside trim (including cowl), weatherstrip, dash and all interior plastic, under hood (protects hoses), CV boots and joint seals, anywhere metal rubs against rubber, sometimes on my tires (when show is important), and I actually used it successfully on the plexiglass on my interior/exterior storm windows!

So there you go. If anyone can point me in a direction I'd try to post some pics. If there is one product I can't live without it's 303. Check it out and I'm sure you'll be as happy as I was. "Black Again" is a good first treatment on older stuff but don't use the petroleum based stuff on weatherstrip. I could live without it but I really do like the shine and I probably use it 3 times a year now.

Hope that helps!

[Ed_Strong]

Thanks for the info chasealley I'll try to do a search on google for this later, I appreciated your rapid response. Now how about the bumpers? mine are not painted with the same tan/gold body paint finish style but formed with Tan colored plastic bumpers (don't know how to explain it) and they're also fading away. Same goes for the lower plastic door trim which is the same material.

[phil-l]

chasealley -

One easy way to post pictures: Create a free picture album at www.webshots.com. You can post pictures and then just include links in your messages.

For example, here are some pictures I took of a project to add AirLift spring airbags to my Windstar:

Adding Airlift spring airbags
http://community.webshots.com/album/548741257AJALLi

[chasealley]

Thanks Phil,

I was looking through my photo collection and noticed the lighting of my before and after photos weren't that good. I'll post a link to the products here instead.

Ed, 303 will work on anything and can be used on paint as well. However, I'm guessing you mean that your bumpers are molded the color that they are and don't have a coat of paint over them. If this in the case then Black Again will work well. I know it is probably a "not well thought out" name but it does work on trim of all colors. It isn't a dye or stain, just a cleaner / restorer. I can't think of an instance where I had something other than black to put it on but I know it does work.

Here's a couple links to the products I've been referring to.

Black Again
http://www.properautocare.com/blacagextrim.html


303 Products
http://www.303products.com/main.php

303 Aerospace Protectant (my fav)
http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...TOKEN=53369662