How to Get the New Car Shine on the Faded Plastic Molding

Many vehicles have plastic molding along the doors, over fenders, on front and rear bumpers, on the side mirrors and on the windshield wiper cowl. When all of these pieces are new, they shine and look clean. Over time, sunlight and other natural elements cause the plastic to fade, making the trim look worn and old. You can get a new car shine on the faded plastic molding in a few short steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Car soap
  • Sponge
  • Microfiber towel
  • Dressing remover
  • Clear trim restorer
  • Microfiber applicator pad
  • Plastic protectant
  • Wash the plastic molding with car soap and a sponge to remove any debris or dirt. Rinse the plastic and let it dry completely.

  • Use a microfiber towel to wipe the plastic with a dressing remover to clean all previous cleaners, dressing or protectant used on the trim. This strips the old product off of the plastic and allows you to work with the clean plastic. Let the remover dry for several minutes.

  • Wipe the plastic molding with a clear trim restoring liquid using a clean microfiber towel. The clear liquid is safe for any color molding and won’t stain the paint or plastic like black plastic dye or restoring liquids. Let the restoring liquid dry for 20 minutes.

  • Apply plastic protectant onto the plastic molding using a microfiber applicator pad. This protects the molding from future UV rays and other elements that cause fading.