Protection For Exterior Plastics?

[embedded rock]

Does that restorer work well on the matte fenders? They aren't quite typical black plastic trim.

Made my wrangler JL fenders and bumpers look new every time. Used on the RR fender flairs in the first week.

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[Raptor Family]

I watched Todd from Project Farm’s YouTube channel where he tests everything. He did a test Car Plastic Trim Protector/Restore Video which came out with Ceracoat Trim Coat as the best. Amazon Amazon Price for Ceracoat. It is currently less than $17.

I have been using it on my truck for 8 months in the Texas sun. All the parts I originally treated look like new—some I missed, aged rather quickly and I coated them a month ago to look like new again. Exceptional product, inexpensive, and easy to get. Watch the video from Project Farm.

 

[OxygenMask]

I use 303 touchless sealant on everything.
Best stuff ever, and easiest to apply.

Many years ago I discovered sealants with DuraShine. It was amazing. Put it on my new F150 and 17 years later it still looked new, plastics included.

The 303 touchless sealant is the same. Great product. I reapply annually.

If your plastics are already grayed, I've never found anything that works to fix it. At best they make it oily and it lasts a few weeks at best.

I quit using Armor All in the 80s. Ruined lots of good plastic stuff with that crap.
Protect All or 303 protectant (alternative to armor all) work well.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Doesn't anyone use Armor All anymore?

Nope! Always disliked that stuff. There are lots of new products that offer true long-term protection.

 

[CaptAngry]

You have to be very careful with the Cerakote trim stuff. It is quite permanent so make sure you don’t get it on ANYTHING you don’t want it on forever. Like… forEVER. I used it on my top bed and tailgate rails, and probably will apply to the top of the bumper cover. But only ever use it on textured plastic. Nothing smooth or it can look terrible if not done perfectly

Cerakote is pretty adamant that it is not a protectant, but a RESTORE product. Mine seems to be OK on 4 month old plastics that sit in the Colorado sun, but it isn’t really what it is designed for

 

[Raptor Family]

You have to be very careful with the Cerakote trim stuff. It is quite permanent so make sure you don’t get it on ANYTHING you don’t want it on forever. Like… forEVER. I used it on my top bed and tailgate rails, and probably will apply to the top of the bumper cover. But only ever use it on textured plastic. Nothing smooth or it can look terrible if not done perfectly

Cerakote is pretty adamant that it is not a protectant, but a RESTORE product. Mine seems to be OK on 4 month old plastics that sit in the Colorado sun, but it isn’t really what it is designed for

Years ago I used to use a Rustoleum product called “Wipe New”, it came in a small 3oz bottle which many times had leaked in the box when new. Once it was open it was kind of use or throw away because it hardened. This Ceracoat seems almost exactly the same but is far easier to use and comes in several wipes. They seem to work the same, Especially on smooth or shinny plastic it goes on with streaks and splotched—and I have never figured out how to get it off once it is on there. It is permanent. With both products, if I am applying anywhere close to a painted surface, or any chance of accidentally touching an unwanted surface, I blue tape mask it off first. My bed rails were masked to the painted body. I have yet to use it under hood, but the old Wipe New I found worked exceptionally well on all the black under-hood plastics (air boxes, engine covers, fuse box, etc.) of Mercedes, BMW, etc. it withstood heat, had a slightly shinny finish and made future detailing a simple wipe or blow off the dust affair. But, you are so right. Maybe I should have mentioned some of the techniques that need to be followed. I was not the original OP, but some of the products that were getting praise, I had used before and didn’t think they were all that great. I watch all of Project Farm videos and you can’t argue with his testing—that is where I first learned about the Ceracoat for the trim, and when I went to buy it, I also found out Ceracoat also has a product for paint which I am testing on my kid’s Honda Civic. So far, on my truck ($1300 pro ceramic job) after 1 year still looks good and beads water. On kid’s Honda, 6 months on $19 Ceracoat Ceramic for paint—and it looks just as good and we put it on. I’m rethinking pro ceramic jobs.

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