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Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:02 am

My bumpers, grills and side mirrors are starting to look chalky, dull and faded. I know that some people on here paint their grills to bring them back, but has anyone tried some of those new plastic restoration products like Renu?

http://www.amazon.com/MEDS-RF175-Automotive-Restor...estoration

It seems like it would be allot easier to do and I don't have to mess with paint runs, overspray and all that. The reviews on Amazon indicate that it lasts for years. I am interested to know if anyone on here has used Renu or similar or if a repaint is the better way to go. Thanks!

Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:28 am

I have used stuff like Renu and it only lasts for a little while. I spray painted mine with the Krylon Fusion for plastic.

http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K02519000-Plastic-Aer...or+plastic

It works great and will not run and self levels. I used the gloss black for everything black. I even used it on brand new hook-up covers I bought from GW so everything was the same color. Just take everything off the van and paint it on some cardboard.

Give it a try its easy.

Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:31 am

westylife wrote: I have used stuff like Renu and it only lasts for a little while. I spray painted mine with the Krylon Fusion for plastic.

http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K02519000-Plastic-Aer...or+plastic

It works great and will not run and self levels. I used the gloss black for everything black. I even used it on brand new hook-up covers I bought from GW so everything was the same color. Just take everything off the van and paint it on some cardboard.

Give it a try its easy.

I use the same paint in satin black and have had very good long lasting results... be sure to prep well.

Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:02 am

I use plastic dye.

Look for Forever Black.

It lasts for years, if not decades.

Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:16 pm

Repainting isn't hard and it comes out way nicer than all the conditioners ever promise that they can do:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423862&highlight=

Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:27 pm

Bman wrote: Repainting isn't hard and it comes out way nicer than all the conditioners ever promise that they can do:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423862&highlight=
Paint does not last near as long as dye.

That other silicon crap you smear on is THE worst, I agree.

Right now I am helping a buddy redo his side vents he painted a few years go.

Mine still look great, dyed.

Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:25 am

Thanks for all the replies and links, great info. What about the fiberglass bumpers? I can't really use dye on the them because they aren't black.

Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:48 am

I'm pretty happy with the professional grade plastic trim paint that I used and documented in the link above, really tough and it adheres well to the plastic.

r39o: what is this dye you speak of and have you documented in a thread your methods and outcomes?

You suggest that it is a Forever Black plastic dye, easily available at a FLAPS?

Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:06 am

r39o wrote: I use plastic dye.

Look for Forever Black.

It lasts for years, if not decades.

I have been let down by painting plastic parts.
I have read Walt's posts before and called my local dealer for some Forever Black.
Really works great.
I only have used it on garaged and rarely driven vans, but sure looks great otherwise.

Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:44 am

Bman wrote: You suggest that it is a Forever Black plastic dye, easily available at a FLAPS?

Nope: http://www.foreverblack.com/state/oregon.html . ](*,) Hence the reason I opted for Kiwi Leather Shoe Dye (also mentioned in the other topic) found at my local grocery store(!); driving to downtown Phoenix for a bottle of dye was and is out of the question. Started to use it on the lower grille, but got sidetracked with other projects and road trips. The portions I did look quite good; an improvement over all the other so-called "back to black" products I've tried that turned out to be a waste of money. It's also available online, if you don't mind paying for shipping.

I painted the spoiler and rear vents with VHT. The front of the spoiler is now rock-chipped (3 years later!), but the sides are still like the day I painted them. The rear vents still look fabulous as well. However, my van is garaged, so it may make a difference.

woggs1 wrote: What about the fiberglass bumpers? I can't really use dye on the them because they aren't black.

Penetrol has been used on the fiberglass pop-tops with great success. Don't recall reading about anyone using it on the bumpers, but I imagine it would work just as well(?). http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=314474

My bumpers were painted black by a previous owner, but the Graphite Metallic door trim panels were original and faded. Nothing worked on them until I used 3M Rubbing Compound, followed by Meguiar's Plastix, & 303 Protectant (that was before buying a can of Penetrol to do the pop-top):

Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:53 am

Go to the FB site...it lists dealers.
My local dealer was very helpful and after the initial purchase now ships it right to me.
Great products, also try the tire gel!

Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:57 am

Last time I got Forever Black I got it mail order via Amazon or Flea Harbor.

Back to Black IS a waste as it washes off.

My experience with painted plastics is even with flex agents and adhesion promoters added the coating will fail at some time.

As I have posted before I have had dyed parts last for years.

Not sure if shoe dye is the same thing.

Please note the Forever Black is the applicator is NOT forever. You need to wash it out for later use. Seal with clear kitchen wrap. Getting it working later is problematic. Also a single bottle can do several vans and still have left overs. I usually apply two coats.

was thinking of doing a side by side test of show dye vs Foerver Black, but I see it has been done:

http://www.google.com/#bav=on.2,or.&fp=8faca2e7c8fa2fc9&q=forever+black+shoe+dye

I just checked and you can get the Forever Black kit for about $14 with shipping via Amazon.

Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:32 pm

Thanks for all the input, much appreciated. I have the fake chrome trim around the grill, will Forever Black work to black that out? Here are some pictures of my grill:

Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:42 pm

FB is not paint and would need the chrome.removed to have any chance of blacking out those areas.

Sand and polish the grill to black, than use FB overtop.

Thu Aug 15, 2013 2:59 am

I have had good luck with the SEM product:

http://www.semproducts.com/product-catalog/specialty-products/trim-paint/trim-black/

Thu Aug 15, 2013 3:02 am

I use Chemical Guys product called Gel it works great to bring plastic bumper ends and mirrors and any other black plastic that has greyed back to a nice matt black. To fix that crappy chrome on the grill, get a gem blade and scrape as much off as you can then sand with 240 grit wet and dry followed by 400 and then 800 grit. Finish off with the gel and it will look like new only de chromed. woggs1 wrote: Thanks for all the input, much appreciated. I have the fake chrome trim around the grill, will Forever Black work to black that out? Here are some pictures of my grill: