Car Bumper and Interior Plastic Care

RSmith on 02/03/2021 - 06:58

Hi All,

Just wanted to find out how to restore the car bumper and interior plastic color. The bumper is black but looks more like grey now. Is there a household item that can restore the colour or do I need something more specific for its restoration.

Cheers.

Automotive Car Care

Comments

  • Hithere on 02/03/2021 - 08:12
    +1

    Turtle Wax Trim Restorer is great for exteriors, bumpers etc. lasts for ages.

    For the interior I recommend 303 Protectant.

    Both available from SCA and AutoBarn.

  • nubzy on 02/03/2021 - 08:32

    Autoglym bumper and trim gel, and for the interior 303 Protectant

  • RSmith on 02/03/2021 - 08:35

    Thanks for the response. Will buy these products when they have a storewide sale.

  • mapax on 02/03/2021 - 09:03
    +2

    $10.50/L https://www.bunnings.com.au/mechanix-1l-auto-protectant_p447…

    Someone around here suggested this as an alternative to 303, it worked well on the hard plastic dash and vinyl sun visors. Worked ok on the mirrors, but the bumper end caps are average. To be fair I haven’t put anything on the end caps in more than 5 years though.

  • tyarrhea on 02/03/2021 - 09:09

    For a budget option, check out the 5Star Tyre Shine from the supermarkets. It works on tyres and vinyls and brings back the original black colour.

  • ozprash on 02/03/2021 - 09:13

    Ona related note, our car interiors are smudged with zinc oxide sunscreen, and don't seem to go easily. Any product recommended for getting rid of that?

  • kizzy on 02/03/2021 - 09:19
    +1

    I will absolutely swear by baby oil. A car detailer told me about it when I was doing a restoring an old car. Put it on a soft cloth and apply a thick coating, it will soak in after a day or two. Brings plastic and vinyls back to new and is cheaper than care care products. Give it a go.

    • RSmith on 02/03/2021 - 09:20

      Alright. Will try it on a small area.

  • Muzeeb on 02/03/2021 - 09:43
    +1

    For exterior bumpers that have greyed out you will find that spray on products will last a week or 2 at best.

    For poor condition trim on older cars I carefully apply a heat gun to the external plastics to restore colour and this lasts about 6 months. Plenty of youtube videos on it.

    • RSmith on 02/03/2021 - 09:55

      Do you apply solution finish afterwards?

      The cheapest heatgun available at Bunnings is https://www.bunnings.com.au/xu1-2000w-heat-gun_p6290580

      Do you think it will be okay for the job?

      • Muzeeb on 02/03/2021 - 09:57

        No. If it was my car I probably would but this has been on family members and friends.

        That heat gun will be fine. Just follow the video I linked and take your time.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2021 - 23:45

          can confirm , just tried it tonight and after applying a protective coating after i was done its basically good-as new

          time consuming but was worth it

          thanks ozbargainers

          • RSmith on 04/03/2021 - 00:31

            @[Deactivated]: Where did you buy solution finish from?

            • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2021 - 16:54

              @RSmith: i went to Supercheap auto , but similar product can be bought from bunnings.

              the key here is not to use solutions that have black-tint or products like armorall low-shine as its the silica in the product that causes the plastic to fade and crack over time.

              just grab any plastic trim restorer and apply a layer over the top and your golden.

  • apple2016 on 02/03/2021 - 09:43
    +1

    not the cheapest but aussie made : https://www.bowdensown.com.au/the-black-box

  • Oz8argain on 02/03/2021 - 09:48

    some people just use a heat gun

  • errorius on 02/03/2021 - 09:56

    Ceramic coating can be used for external plastic.

  • Brian McGee on 02/03/2021 - 10:09
    +1

    Try cleaning the black bumpers with a soft pencil eraser (staedler or some other known brand). A lot of the discolouration is actually environmental fallout. Once you have it cleaned apply some sort of trim or plastic restorer.

  • knasty on 02/03/2021 - 10:43

    I used Meguiars trim detailer which did a good job but it doesn;t last that long. now I've got it restored and looking generally good I will apply the Turtle Wax black hybrid ceramic spray to the plastic to give it some extra protection (I already had it as I have a black car and I use it on the metal).

  • the Unforgiven on 02/03/2021 - 11:37

    ask at SuperCheapAuto what they think, or Repco, or …..

    • Muzeeb on 02/03/2021 - 11:37

      I forgive you for making that comment

      • the Unforgiven on 02/03/2021 - 11:41

        Thank you, I still haven't finished my cuppa; late night, or is that morning

  • wannagrababargain on 02/03/2021 - 11:40

    There are two types of products:
    - Chemical coating/visual enhancement
    - Pigmented restoration kit

    In the Chemical coating arena what has worked from me, from least to most visual impact are
    -Aerospace 303 (use undiluted on exterior and interior)
    -Carpro Perl (use undiluted on exterior and on tyres, may need to dilute for interior)

    For exterior matte type plastics as seen on older cars that are really far gone you can 'cheat' and use pigmented restorer such as:
    -Forever Black (Not for use on interior though)

    • Muzeeb on 02/03/2021 - 11:42

      Carpro

      Awesome products

  • OpayuOnam on 03/03/2021 - 01:04

    Bowden's Own has a black trim rejuvenate kit which is very nice for interior. Cannot comment on exterior plastic.

  • RSmith on 03/03/2021 - 09:38

    Thanks for all the input.

    I bought https://www.bunnings.com.au/mechanix-1l-auto-protectant_p447… and a hot air gun. I have started with the interior and it is already looking good.

    Exterior will probably get done on the weekend.

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