850 Bumper and trim restoration

[Sveedy]

I've been wanting to restore the bumper covers and trim on Sveedy for some time, but have put it off due to not being able to find a good product in, and here's the key, the right color. The bumpers and trim on 850's are a sort of charcoal gray color, not true black, and like most plastic covers, mine were faded. Plus the rear had some sort of a stain that I could not remove no matter what I tried.
I was able to find a company online that sells a dye solution in black, and one in gray, so I bought a bottle of each. The ratio ended up being apx 5 parts black to one part gray. The downside is that I had to buy a bottle of each, which obviously doubled the cost compared to any other car or truck. But I am very happy with the results. The stuff is a dye, so it should last, particularly after I seal it with a ceramic coating.
Like all thing of this nature, prep is key. Clean, then clean the cleaner. Other than that, easy peezy.

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[volvolugnut]

That looks great! Please give us the 6-12 month AZ sun exposure update.
volvolugnut

[Clemens]

Wow, awesome results. I can't get the grey one over here, though. How off would just black look by your opinion, Sveedy?

[Sveedy]

Thanks ! I think my environment will be a good testing grounds for this. Very high UV rays.
That's why I'm coating it all with a ceramic coating ( Cerakote ). They have a very good reputation in the coatings industry.
They claim that it will stand up to 200+ car washings, which should get me 7 - 10 years. Still garaged kept.
I wonder if I only washed the car once a year......

[Sveedy]

Wow, awesome results. I can't get the grey one over here, though. How off would just black look by your opinion, Sveedy?

It's coal black, so nowhere near the original. Wouldn't match the other plastic trim. That said, I can see how the black would look great, depending on the car.
Weird that you can get the black, but not the gray. I'd reach out to them and see what gives. It would also be nice if they sold the gray in a one once size. They do with the black, but not the gray. I was measuring in teaspoons, so a 12 oz bottle of each would probably do 15 cars.

[Clemens]

Solution finish only sell in the states, and someone in the UK only sells black through ebay. For a hefty 104 Dollars ... Looking for alternatives.

[Sveedy]

I don't know what's involved with sending a " stain sample " overseas, but it sure shouldn't cost that.
I can send you some premixed if you can look into the details on your end. I'll do some checking as well. Nuts that they don't sell over there.
Maybe it does have to do with shipping regulations.

[BlackBart]

That looks great, Sveedy!

[Sveedy]

Solution finish only sell in the states, and someone in the UK only sells black through ebay. For a hefty 104 Dollars ... Looking for alternatives.

Well Clemens, I stopped by a FedEx store today to ask about shipping to Austria.
They asked where exactly, and I just said the middle of the country. Cost to ship the smallest ( apx.7mmx7mmx12mm ) , less than 1 pound package, was $ 140 !!!
Outrageous !!!

[454cid]

Solution finish only sell in the states, and someone in the UK only sells black through ebay. For a hefty 104 Dollars ... Looking for alternatives.

Well Clemens, I stopped by a FedEx store today to ask about shipping to Austria.
They asked where exactly, and I just said the middle of the country. Cost to ship the smallest ( apx.7mmx7mmx12mm ) , less than 1 pound package, was $ 140 !!!
Outrageous !!!

Last time I shipped to Australia it was about $40, I think. That was through the USPS.