Black Plastic Trim and bumpers - Making them Black again!

Does anyone have any tips or tricks (other than back to black) to get my exterior plastics looking fresh… for example on the hoem page the featured mark1 the plastics look like new. I want mine to look like new :-)

Cheers

Pete

Never tried it as I don't have any but Peanut Butter is supposed to be brilliant.

T

A couple of people recommend a heat gun, or permanent paint if you really mean business! Here's some ideas :
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=49480&highlight=black+bumpers

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23326&highlight=restoring+bumpers

i use Meguiars nxt generation tech protect ignore the instructions spray on liberaly and rub in with your hand and leave to dry done this on the plastics on my car and they were light gray six months on and they still look like new

Mayonnaise, engine oil, linseed oil, peanutbutter, you get the idea. Something oily basically.

auto glymm do a good rub on product,hang on ill ckeck what its called................bumper care its called,bought it when had my vr6 and worked a treat

clean and spray with satin black

autoglym is great. put it on leave it a bit then rub off. same with back to black.

What ever you do do NOT use CarPlan Bumper Restorer (or whatever it's called). I used it on my Smart, 24 hours later it rained and I had black streaks all down the paintwork! Total rubbish.

I've used black shoepolish for many years - the liquid stuff you get with a sponge applicator.  easy on, hard-wearing, cheap.

back to black and the like do a good job for about a day! overpriced crap.

plurker said

I've used black shoepolish for many years - the liquid stuff you get with a sponge applicator.  easy on, hard-wearing, cheap.

back to black and the like do a good job for about a day! overpriced crap.

strange that. i use back to black as shoe polish. but then i get it cheap.

Thanks everyone, Will give it go on Saturday and let you know how it goes…the list gets longer for jobs at the weekend…

1. Pick up Wheels (ATS Cups), Coilovers and Interior.
2. Fit wheels and Coilovers.
3. Repair existing interior with new one.
4. Tracking will need doing.
5. I need to buy a tyre or two and get it fitted also.
6. Make bumpers/trim like new using your tips.
7. Fit grill and single headlights.
8. Try to get down to Stanford Hall on Sunday.

Wonder if ill manage it all.

I did a how to for refurbing the seats. If it's any good to assist you.

I used pea nut oil, but found that stuff stuck to it, fluff etc.

Will try the suggestions too.

link seat refurb

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=59405

SEAN1151 said

clean and spray with satin black

Ditto

depends what car it is really.
gl and gx had grey bumpers to start with.

i did mine in Black when i had the GX, looked really good, mind you i was'nt to fussed about keeping it original, just originalish… :mrgreen:

novocaine said

depends what car it is really.
gl and gx had grey bumpers to start with.

That's useful to know.  
that was one of the 1st jobs on my list when i pick this GX up on Sat, but you say this is the original bumper colour?

just use autoglym bumper restorer on them. they will come up a dark grey. which is how they should be.

Touching it up with a light spray of satin black as it has previously been done by someone else in the past.

I have a rear NOS bumper (with chrome strip inserts) on the back of may Mars Red 82 GL cabby.  Looks black?!  It's never been painted or had other stuff on it….. Satin black can look 'off black'-ish…if there is such a hue?!  Did bumpers come in black and grey, I wonder??  My old 83 cabby I had , had grey for certain.

Current car with a NOS bumper with original finish methinks……


Sister car to mine I found pics of…..probably has something on them as they look a bit shiny…

it's a scanned copy so you can't really see but the bumpers are deffo gray on the sales brochure of the gx. (I can look at the original)



and they are grey on my car there is no dowt to that.