Exterior vinyl on your automobile is subjected to the harsh rays of the sun, heat, grime, oxygen and road tar. These elements can dull and fade your vinyl trim, causing it to prematurely age and degrade. This may also harm the flexibility of your vinyl trim, which can soon give way to cracking and tearing. You can restore auto vinyl trim by removing old salts, road grime and waxes and reconditioning it to restore its appearance. Your best defense against the elements is regular maintenance of your exterior vinyl trim.
Wash the vinyl trim and any exterior moldings on your auto regularly with your preferred car wash cleanser, using a detailing brush on textured pieces of trim and a soft boar’s hair brush on smoother finishes. The boar’s hair brush will help bring embedded contaminants to the surface pores of the vinyl so you can scrub them out and remove discoloration in the trim.
Remove old dressing off vinyl trim by using a deep cleansing exterior cleaner such as DP Cleanse. Spray the cleanser onto a soft microfiber towel and carefully wipe over vinyl trim pieces. Do not get the cleanser on the paint and do not spray directly onto the trim.
Use a trim restoration product if your trim still looks dull and faded after a thorough cleansing. Apply a small amount to the vinyl with the application tip and move over the trim in smooth, gliding strokes. Do not overuse the product and allow it to penetrate the entire length of the trim.
Apply a trim protectant to keep it safe from sun damage and harmful ultraviolet ray degradation. Apply a small amount onto a microfiber application pad to avoid dripping and smooth over the entire length of the trim. This should be applied monthly if living in a dry, sunny climate or every other month for those in milder environments.
Restore extremely damaged trim with a trim and bumper dye such as Forever Black. Be careful when applying dyes to your vinyl trim. They will discolor other parts of your vehicle if you are not careful during the application process. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the dye for best results. This generally involves spreading a thin layer of dye over the surface and allowing it to dry completely before applying a second or third coat.
