Best car plastic restorer: Chemical Guys, Meguiar’s and more compared – Roadshow [CNET]

So you want to make your car’s UV rays-battered plastic trim look new again. Great, because there’s a fine selection of trim restorer products that will do just the trick. These products are meant to restore exterior plastic trim to a dark, deep black color you see when the car rolls off the production line. Over time, the sun’s harmful UV rays, dirt, car washes and the elements in general cause plastic parts to fade to a rather unattractive light (and sometimes chalky) gray.

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But it doesn’t have to shake out that way. Read on below for Roadshow’s top picks.

Car plastic restorer tips

• Make sure you wash and dry the area: Ideally, you’d do a exterior plastic trim restore session after a car wash anyway, but make sure the plastic surface area you plan to apply your choice of trim restorer product to is thoroughly cleaned and dried before using any of these products.
• Go slow, be thorough: Don’t do a quick pass with the trim restorer product and think you’re fine. Some of these areas may take more time and might require time to cure, too, before you buff them out with a microfiber cloth.
• Stay out of the sun: The sun’s UV rays is exactly what causes car plastic trim to fade. Don’t apply the trim restorer products in the sun.
• Reapply as needed: Some of these solution finish products will last much longer than others. None of these are a permanent fix. Once you see you need more, go ahead and apply more.

Enjoy your Roadshow-approved, restored trim

It’s the little things that matter when it comes to making a car look clean and well maintained. Car plastic exterior trim is one area that’s easy to overlook, but with one of these, you will have a great looking car guaranteed.

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