pre-2007 (all) trim renewal review

[fazool]

Hello folks – it’s been a while since I posted. I still have my S60AWD, my eldest still has her 850 and my next inherited my former S60.

I recall there has been several past discussions about treating the sun/weather damaged plastic body moldings and bumper parts – those black plastic parts that fade to gray.

I’ve posted some on the subject. In the past I’ve used “Bumper Black”, recently I used a “Black Restore” product. I even used the heat gun trick.

I am not a fan of infomercials and “As Seen On TV” crapola, but on a whim I spent $19 at Walgreens on a “Wipe New”.

I was, frankly, very pleasantly surprised. Really.

It came in a tiny bottle – about the size of a glue stick, along with some wipes, nitrile gloves and a swab applicator.

The side pieces on our 01 S60 were less sun damaged and responded miraculously to this treatment. The bumper parts were more damaged. After two applications, they look a bit better but new like the sides. I also did that plastic cowl panel that shrouds the wiper motor – it always fades badly. I did it on both S60’s.

That tiny bottle did the following:

- Side panels
- Rear bumper twice
- Front bumper twice
- Wiper cowl on one car
- Wiper cowl on other car
- Wiper arms and wash nozzles on one car
- Wiper arms and wash nozzles on other car

So definitely enough there and it truly does go a long way.

The material was strange – it had an extremely strong odor but smelled like citrus. The second day the bottle had hard clear residue on it, which looked like crazy glue.

Apparently it is some strong chemical.

I’ll see how it holds up but so far I recommend it for moderately faded or sun-damaged trim.

[ThinAir]

Pics Please!

[GMTURBO]

I'm curious to hear about the 3-6 month results. At this point, I'm more inclined to paint mine but if there's another product that will work and last I'm all for it.

[vjaneczko]

Not sure about the Wipe Now product, but I used Showroom New and it's been holding up very well for the last two years. Highly Recommended.

[kcv70]

I found dyes to be messy and the results are like bad liquid shoe polish. Although not a permanent solution, I use Meguiars Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer for my 13 year old V70, which has moderately faded black trim, with good results. Same results for [Turtle Wax] Ice Premium Care Spray Wax, which I apply to black trim areas after washing the car. It revitalizes the black surface and leaves zero residue. In hindsight, I wish I had never used waxes that left residue, or least I wish I had quickly removed them. It's a tough job removing wax residue. Recently I started using Meguairs Ultimate Liquid Wax and it leaves zero residue. It's the easiest wax I've ever used.