Restoring black plastic/vinyl trim

[adjudimo]

I have tried Meguiar's, Wipe New, Mother's back to black and a few other for black trim. They don't work very well or last very long in my opinion. I don't want to try the heat gun trick. I use 303 on my vinyl roof but I don't know about using it on plastic. So, what tricks do you use to make that black look new again; especially that has some lasting duration over the band aid fixes sold at wally world and other places? I have cleaned with alcohol prior to using the products mentioned above. Thanks.

[lakeholme]

Gold Eagle does say that their 303 Protectant works on plastic.  I have used it on my vinyl top for years, mainly for the UV protection. If properly applied, it doesn't draw dust and actually makes water bead up. I also use it on the convertible top of another one of my classic cars.
But "restoring plastic", not so sure. More like longer lasting shine.
We need to hear from someone who has used a detailing product like TriNova...

[Sauron327]

What parts are you talking about specifically? "Plastic" does not apply to all parts. Been in the business for decades and every part requires a different procedure. Some just cannot be saved.

[KurtS]

Plasticizers break down over time and there's no way to restore them. Think the chalky plastic seatbacks...

[adjudimo]

What parts are you talking about specifically? "Plastic" does not apply to all parts. Been in the business for decades and every part requires a different procedure. Some just cannot be saved.
 

I have a 2010 Dodge Ram Sport and the top of the bed rails have a molded protective cover on them from the factory. Also the same thing for all the black portions of the rear step bumper that have this material. On the front underneath between the bumper and the lower front valance there is a black insert representing some type of fake grill. There is a black area between the front and rear windows that needs addressed. All these have turned a lighter grayish color that doesn't stay black for very long after any treatment I've tried. They will darken with some of the dressings such as Mother's Back to Black but it's almost a waste of time. I see where some claim that you can use a heat gun to supposedly make the oils in the material resurface thus restoring the appearance. I'm not going to try this by the way. I bought the truck new in April of 2010 and it has just over 30000 miles on it. I have managed to keep the paint swirl free and the paint looks almost as new as a 2018. It's that darn black that looks, well; shitty for lack of a less frustrated word in my opinion. I've had a couple people tell me to paint these areas, but after all the treatments over the years I doubt that I could get the areas prepped well enough to do this, due to possible silicones involved. Thanks guys.

[Sauron327]

If you clean those parts very well with Dawn, followed by wax and grease remover, you could paint them with black SEM after using an AP(adhesion promoter). Go to their website or talk to your local jobber that carries it. Not all jobbers know what they are talking about. Any questions, call SEM directly.

[lakeholme]

If you clean those parts very well with Dawn, followed by wax and grease remover, you could paint them with black SEM after using an AP(adhesion promoter). Go to their website or talk to your local jobber that carries it. Not all jobbers know what they are talking about. Any questions, call SEM directly.

Several if my "off-roader" friends use Sauron327's "formula" regularly on the plastic parts.  It works! 

[adjudimo]

If you clean those parts very well with Dawn, followed by wax and grease remover, you could paint them with black SEM after using an AP(adhesion promoter). Go to their website or talk to your local jobber that carries it. Not all jobbers know what they are talking about. Any questions, call SEM directly.

Well, I guess I should have thought about the Dawn. That is the only dish detergent my wife has in the house. I guess it slipped my mind since I hadn't used that type product around my vehicles paint for years. I'll have to pick up some wax and grease remover and adhesion promoter. I'll do as you suggest and see how it goes. Thanks Sauron327 and lakeholme, much appreciated!