Is There a Trim Restorer Worth the Room It Takes Up?

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
Turtle Wax goes on easy and gives nice results, but it washes off the first time it rains and fades in about three weeks.

Meguiar's runs and drips all over the place, and doesn't like to get into the small channels next to the paint. It also doesn't darken much. And I used a third of a bottle just to do my bumpers.

Back to Black is worthless garbage. I tried to use it on my ex-wife's Avalanche and returned it to the store.

Does anyone have another product they've used that's worth my time and money?
 

McGMT

Member
Jun 17, 2012
621
UMEXT said:
Turtle Wax goes on easy and gives nice results, but it washes off the first time it rains and fades in about three weeks.

Meguiar's runs and drips all over the place, and doesn't like to get into the small channels next to the paint. It also doesn't darken much. And I used a third of a bottle just to do my bumpers.

Back to Black is worthless garbage. I tried to use it on my ex-wife's Avalanche and returned it to the store.

Does anyone have another product they've used that's worth my time and money?

What kind of turtle wax did you use? I used their ICE liquid wax on heavy and left to dry and it worked great and has lasted a long lonnnnng time.
 

UMEXT

Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
110
am-radio said:
Blackwow

Small bottle, large price. Worked for me. Recommended by a car detailer.

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. Anyone got one that I can actually buy at a retailer, thus avoiding shipping and making me able to return it if it doesn't work, and doesn't cost $7.50 AN OUNCE?
 

cartman57

Member
Dec 4, 2011
35
UMEXT said:
Turtle Wax goes on easy and gives nice results, but it washes off the first time it rains and fades in about three weeks.

Meguiar's runs and drips all over the place, and doesn't like to get into the small channels next to the paint. It also doesn't darken much. And I used a third of a bottle just to do my bumpers.

Back to Black is worthless garbage. I tried to use it on my ex-wife's Avalanche and returned it to the store.

Does anyone have another product they've used that's worth my time and money?

Never used the product but I've seen the results, quite impressive stuff.
The Car Enthusiast's Best Friend
 

McGMT

Member
Jun 17, 2012
621
UMEXT said:
I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. Anyone got one that I can actually buy at a retailer, thus avoiding shipping and making me able to return it if it doesn't work, and doesn't cost $7.50 AN OUNCE?

I did but you apparently didn't see it...
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
Bondo Restore Black 15 oz. approx $15 at Advance auto or Autozone. It is the best! Do a google search for reviews. It keeps my running boards black, and its not slippery. You will be happy with this product!
 

Melaronius

Member
Aug 22, 2012
33
UMEXT said:
So by you, $30 per ounce is BETTER than $7.50 per ounce? I'd be better off just buying new bumper covers yearly.
Its just under $10.50 per ounce and you get what you pay for. If you're so tight on your budget then faded trim shouldn't be such a big deal.

On another note, you could plastidip the trim but at just over $5 a can you might get offended by that price as well.
 

GCTB1289

Member
Mar 19, 2012
699
if you want a cheap alternative. I had a buddy of mine use peanut oil on his trim and it came out really good. he didn't tell me how long it lasted for but it seemed to work for a while. depending on how bad they are you might have to apply a few coats. but it is worth a try
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
Again Bondo Restore Black!!! It's a plastic dye that can be purchases at you local parts place or some Walmarts! Non slippery and long lasting! They say at least 6months but it looks like the day I put it on! The Avalanche owners rave about it on all there cladding.
 

Juicy K

Member
Feb 14, 2012
433
Indianapolis, Indiana
For something you can buy at walmart, I have been using Turtle Ice PASTE since 2007, it works decent and its fun watching the plastic bits bead water. :biggrin: Since I have started using Chemical Guys, Early in the summer I ordered their G6, it works great on trim and tires, and as long as you apply like it says, its dry afterwards as well. But I dont know any places localy to buy it...
 

northcreek

Member
Jan 15, 2012
3,384
WNY
BaDAppLe said:
Bondo Restore Black 15 oz. approx $15 at Advance auto or Autozone. It is the best! Do a google search for reviews. It keeps my running boards black, and its not slippery. You will be happy with this product!

Iam only seeing a kit with 8oz of stuff.Are you sure about the 15oz size?...thanks,Mike.
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
northcreek said:
Iam only seeing a kit with 8oz of stuff.Are you sure about the 15oz size?...thanks,Mike.

I bought my bottle a while ago at Autozone, and It was a 15oz bottle with a small application sponge in a black box for around $15 I'm not sure if available in other sizes or not. Since it is a plastic/rubber dye you do not use very much. I would say to wear some rubber or latex gloves though it does not wash off hands very well.
 

NewfieEnvoy

Member
Jan 25, 2012
525
BaDAppLe said:
Bondo Restore Black 15 oz. approx $15 at Advance auto or Autozone. It is the best! Do a google search for reviews. It keeps my running boards black, and its not slippery. You will be happy with this product!

Just watched a couple Youtube videos on this stuff and it looks awesome. Gonna try and find some around town this weekend. Thanks for the heads up.
 

WarGawd

Member
Sep 2, 2012
468
groundshock said:
Dupli-color Trim Black.... /thread.

I get that with "/thread" you're trying to emphasize that the results are definitive, but us lurkers and the OP could use even a small amount of elaboration... I found this but I think I would value opinions of members here more. Buy Duplicolor Trim Paint, Black, 11 oz. Aerosol TP70 at Advance Auto Parts

NewfieEnvoy said:
Just watched a couple Youtube videos on this stuff and it looks awesome. Gonna try and find some around town this weekend. Thanks for the heads up.

Throw out a link or 2 for the vids you watched? I know I could find my own, but wanted to see the same ones that compelled you to try it. Like OP I tried Back to Black, and assumed all others would be variations on a theme - a waste of $$$. Would love to find something that actually works well.
 

northcreek

Member
Jan 15, 2012
3,384
WNY
groundshock said:
Dupli-color Trim Black.... /thread.

I have sworn off of Dupli-color products.Their overpriced under engineered paint and other products have botched several of my projects.I don't know about this product but, I'm going with the Bondo...Mike.:thumbsup:
 

OMGTruk

Member
Aug 28, 2012
11
I know you wanted something local but the chemical guys black on black is worth it. even on my brand new truck it made the black trim look better and on a textured surface(not perfectly smooth) it seemed to last longer, probably 2 weeks of crappy weather and parking outside all the time vs a few days w/ the anything else i've tried
 

WarGawd

Member
Sep 2, 2012
468
OMGTruk said:
I know you wanted something local but the chemical guys black on black is worth it. even on my brand new truck it made the black trim look better and on a textured surface(not perfectly smooth) it seemed to last longer, probably 2 weeks of crappy weather and parking outside all the time vs a few days w/ the anything else i've tried

Just curious - did the "anything else you've tried" include the Bondo Restore Black?
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
I have stated twice now to use Bondo restore black, and I understand why you may be hesitant to try this product as I also have at least 6 differant products for trim that either just don't work or only work until next wash. This product works! Honestly I have had it on since may and looks like the day I put it on! I go through a automatic high pressure car wash 3 times a week as I have a unlimited monthly pass. The review below is one of a zillion you will find doing a simple search at google. It has some before , and after pics.

750 dollars and a day with my X - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

If that review don't convince you I guess nothing will. You will be satisfied with Bondo Restore Black!
 

OMGTruk

Member
Aug 28, 2012
11
WarGawd said:
Just curious - did the "anything else you've tried" include the Bondo Restore Black?

i haven't tried the bondo restore, honestly i've never seen it.

i swear by the chemical guys stuff.
i've used the turtle wax stuff, the armor all extreme, mothers and meguiars stuff and all of its just ok. i used to use the black magic in a bottle but it streaks the paint if the car gets wet.
 

WarGawd

Member
Sep 2, 2012
468
BaDAppLe said:
I have stated twice now to use Bondo restore black, and I understand why you may be hesitant to try this product as I also have at least 6 differant products for trim that either just don't work or only work until next wash. This product works! Honestly I have had it on since may and looks like the day I put it on! I go through a automatic high pressure car wash 3 times a week as I have a unlimited monthly pass. The review below is one of a zillion you will find doing a simple search at google. It has some before , and after pics.

750 dollars and a day with my X - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

If that review don't convince you I guess nothing will. You will be satisfied with Bondo Restore Black!

Didn't read the review (yet) but today on my laptop ads started popping up in various places for a deal on it at Amazon, so I'll risk $13 bucks on your emphatic second recommendation. :biggrin:

EDIT: wow, impressive - took his GREY trim to black, so I can see where it would work well on black trim that's only faded from exposure. And he says he got it at Walmart so I can check there tomorrow and skip Amazon shipping.
 

Vicompc

Member
Dec 5, 2011
109
BaDAppLe said:
Again Bondo Restore Black!!! It's a plastic dye that can be purchases at you local parts place or some Walmarts! Non slippery and long lasting! They say at least 6months but it looks like the day I put it on! The Avalanche owners rave about it on all there cladding.

I've tried the Bondo Restore Black, it looks good until it rains then it chips off and you find yourself redoing it. :mad:
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
Vicompc said:
I've tried the Bondo Restore Black, it looks good until it rains then it chips off and you find yourself redoing it. :mad:

Over 6 months , and over 36 car washes I have no chipping, flaking or any ill effects. It looks at least 90% of what it looked the day I put it on. Did you remove wax/clean with rubbing alcohol as stated in the directions?
 

northcreek

Member
Jan 15, 2012
3,384
WNY
BaDAppLe said:
Over 6 months , and over 36 car washes I have no chipping, flaking or any ill effects. It looks at least 90% of what it looked the day I put it on. Did you remove wax/clean with rubbing alcohol as stated in the directions?

Glad to hear it.I live in the same area and just ordered a kit,hoping for the same results...Mike.
 

Vicompc

Member
Dec 5, 2011
109
I cleaned it the 1st time with alcohol and the second and third times with Actone (this was done after talking to 3M). It still chips and flakes off, however the color looks good.
 

WarGawd

Member
Sep 2, 2012
468
Vicompc said:
I cleaned it the 1st time with alcohol and the second and third times with Actone (this was done after talking to 3M). It still chips and flakes off, however the color looks good.

The other guy's thread that AppLe pointed us to said he even tried to take it off with a gas pressure washer and couldn't - is it possible to put it on too thickly or something like that?

And in other news, not available at Walmart here. Nor any other store I checked today - back to Amazon :smile:
 

Wooluf1952

Member
Nov 20, 2011
2,663
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WarGawd said:
And in other news, not available at Walmart here. Nor any other store I checked today - back to Amazon :smile:

Not saying you're wrong, but where did you look?
I saw it here, at a Walmart and Advance Auto yesterday.
It's not with the waxes and polishes. It's with the Bondo body fillers.

Also, to anyone that's used it: Does it stain painted surfaces?
 

BaDAppLe

Member
Jun 28, 2012
51
Wooluf1952 is correct that at Walmart Bondo must request their products be alone ,and kept togather. It can be found near scratch repair, and bedliner products. The more I think of it this also holds true at Autozone as this product is not with the other trim restore products. I use this on oem running boards,cowl, mirrors, and rear hatch lift. I have used on rubber type trim, and works okay too, but since I use Meg's nxt 2.0 poly wax on the truck I just use that on the rubber type trim and it looks great too!
 

WarGawd

Member
Sep 2, 2012
468
Tiny town Canuck here, so I 'm guessing that's why. I believe it was a Canadian Tire where I did see the whole Bondo section seperately...no Restore Black. Walmart online for Canada didn't show me they had it either. No worries, there's no rush on this, I may check with a couple local detailers to see if they have it or use it.

Thanx :smile:
 

northcreek

Member
Jan 15, 2012
3,384
WNY
WarGawd said:
Tiny town Canuck here, so I 'm guessing that's why. I believe it was a Canadian Tire where I did see the whole Bondo section seperately...no Restore Black. Walmart online for Canada didn't show me they had it either. No worries, there's no rush on this, I may check with a couple local detailers to see if they have it or use it.

Thanx :smile:

Got mine online,no tax and no shipping...Mike
3m BONDO RESTORE BLACK #800 bumper & trim AWSOME results! FREE S/H | eBay
 

Djordan2

Member
Feb 5, 2012
46
Has Anyone Tried Detail Doctor? Amazon Link Here Might want to give t a try but Wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with it.
 

eutechnyx

Member
Mar 31, 2012
375
So if this stuff is used on say window trim how safe is it for the paint when it washes down the side of the truck?
 

Black_tb

Member
Dec 6, 2011
817
Djordan2 said:
Has Anyone Tried Detail Doctor? Amazon Link Here Might want to give t a try but Wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with it.


just by reading the reviews on amazon most people say it sucks and not to buy it
 

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