discolored molding

[EKFour]

Hey CC, I have a 98 dx hatch with the factory black side moldings and side skirts but the problem is that they are faded on segments of the side skirts. Along the side skirts, there are vertical seams and around these seams are white faded areas. How can I go about fixing this up? I found Duplicolor Trim paint so i'm thinking this will do the trick. Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[jameswanser]

that would work, as far as paint. might also be able to use "back to black". Don't remember who makes it, but I've heard others have used it with good results

 

[lethal6]

Search "restore plastic on car with heatgun" on youtube. Not a permanent fix but its free.

What I would do personally, would be to hit them with plasti-dip.

 

[EKFour]

I look into back to black too! Lethal, would that damage the plastic at all? Because I've seen people do it and they say it melts the plastic slightly so I'm wary of doing that

 

[R3dline]

i say just mask em off and trim paint the damn things

 

[lethal6]

I look into back to black too! Lethal, would that damage the plastic at all? Because I've seen people do it and they say it melts the plastic slightly so I'm wary of doing that

Yes it can damage the plastic.....if done wrong. You have to put heat to it and heat can melt plastic. If you keep it moving and don't let it sit on one section for to long it won't melt it. You don't really have to get it that hot, no where near enough to melt it. People that are melting their panels are doing it wrong.

i say just mask em off and trim paint the damn things

This is an option as well.

 

[jameswanser]

personally, I think the trim paint is the best option. looks good (I've used it before), gives a nice satin finish

 

[minja lover]

I used mothers back to black on my hatches trim. It came out awesome and it was faster than painting

 

[EKFour]

I actually have some back to black laying around so I'll try that out first before painting. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[2suthrn]

Ditto on Back to Black. Keep it original...the trim paint over plastic will just chip. I picked up the passenger sideskirt for ~$80-90 from the dealership. Might check out LKQ or another salvage yard as well if the Back to Black doesn't work. It was able to revive most of the plastic on mine though.

 

[LANxCiv]

I personally disagree with the Back to Black stuff. It can be effective to a certain point; like for instance if your trim is super faded due to sun damage the stuff will barely work.

Recently I repainted my grille in december with some trim paint and it still looks brand new.

So if you want a quick fix then use back to black, but if you want your black trim pieces lasting for a long time go with the trim paint.

 

[lethal6]

...the trim paint over plastic will just chip...

This is false information. If done right it will hold up just as well as any other paint on the car.