Shining the exterior black trim
#1
#2
I no longer use Armor All products. I highly recommend a product called Vinylex from Lexol:
http://www.lexol.com
It is about $7-$10 at your local autoparts store and not only restores the black of your exterior trim parts but also deep cleans, conditions and adds a layer of UV resistant coat to protect them and have them look nice for a long time.
Vinylex is not greasy and does not wash out (Unlike Armor All and Mother's Back-To-Black products) and can be used safely in your dashboard, interior plastic trim and Leatherette seats if your MINI is so equipped. You can also use it to dress up your tire's sidewalls.
Their Leather cleaning/conditioning product is called Lexol. I highly recommend both.
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'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, MFSW, CD Boost, 15" 8-Spoke silver wheels.
'04 MCS CR/W, UJ Roof Flag, Aux Input, HK, Sport MFSW, Rain sensing, Auto dim mirror, 16" silver V-spoke wheels, Chrome grille, Chrome mirrors, OBC, front fogs.
http://www.lexol.com
It is about $7-$10 at your local autoparts store and not only restores the black of your exterior trim parts but also deep cleans, conditions and adds a layer of UV resistant coat to protect them and have them look nice for a long time.
Vinylex is not greasy and does not wash out (Unlike Armor All and Mother's Back-To-Black products) and can be used safely in your dashboard, interior plastic trim and Leatherette seats if your MINI is so equipped. You can also use it to dress up your tire's sidewalls.
Their Leather cleaning/conditioning product is called Lexol. I highly recommend both.
_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, MFSW, CD Boost, 15" 8-Spoke silver wheels.
'04 MCS CR/W, UJ Roof Flag, Aux Input, HK, Sport MFSW, Rain sensing, Auto dim mirror, 16" silver V-spoke wheels, Chrome grille, Chrome mirrors, OBC, front fogs.
#3
#4
I use Zaino Bros' 16 Perfect Tire Gloss (treatment and preserver)
Non greasy, non oily good for rubber plastic or vinyl. Doesn't really work as well on tires as it does for exterior black vinyl and rubber mats (works great on both these). Also lasts a fair amount of time. Makes the rubber or vinyl look new.
Non greasy, non oily good for rubber plastic or vinyl. Doesn't really work as well on tires as it does for exterior black vinyl and rubber mats (works great on both these). Also lasts a fair amount of time. Makes the rubber or vinyl look new.
#5
Meguiars Trim Detailer works fabulously. Use their foam applicator or even a paper towel and it'll keep the trim dark and clean and matte! I just did this yesterday cause the I had an accident at the gas pump--stupid thing didn't shut off, and I had gas all over the side of my car. My trim turned white immediately. Putting on Trim Detailer solved the problem.
However since we are now 4 years later, I've created a product called Black Wow that solves this problem for good and works much better than Meguiar's archaic trim detailer product.
However since we are now 4 years later, I've created a product called Black Wow that solves this problem for good and works much better than Meguiar's archaic trim detailer product.
Last edited by OctaneGuy; 09-28-2008 at 08:22 AM. Reason: Thanks Scott for pointing out how old this thread was, lol.
#7
Aerospace 303
It has UV protection and you can find it in boating supply stores or at http://www.properautocare.com
It has UV protection and you can find it in boating supply stores or at http://www.properautocare.com
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#8
Add my vote to Lexol's Vinylex.....it makes my black vinyl trim black again and after two winters of being sand blasted by the sand they use here on the roads in the Northeast, it seems to clean deep into the trim and looks almost new again.
I use it every third or fourth washing and I am very pleased with the results.
I use it every third or fourth washing and I am very pleased with the results.
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#12
Vinyl care product marketing is filled with lots of hype and very little fact! A couple of years ago I did a great deal of research into vinyl care products and was mislead or lied to by all of the leading marketers with the exception of 303. Do a search on Roadfly’s detailing board for a history of this research.
It’s a fact - - vinyl does not need feeding nor does it need conditioning, but it does need protection from ultra-violet radiation. 303 Aerospace Protectant is the only vinyl care product that provides measurable UV shielding!
Clean interior and exterior vinyl with any mild soap/water solution and then apply a coating of 303 AP for protection. Forever Black is a superb product for restoring faded or dirty black vinyl - - and two coats will give a shine similar to the silicone products.
It’s a fact - - vinyl does not need feeding nor does it need conditioning, but it does need protection from ultra-violet radiation. 303 Aerospace Protectant is the only vinyl care product that provides measurable UV shielding!
Clean interior and exterior vinyl with any mild soap/water solution and then apply a coating of 303 AP for protection. Forever Black is a superb product for restoring faded or dirty black vinyl - - and two coats will give a shine similar to the silicone products.
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if your going for the preservation of rubber (i.e keeping it like new but not giving it a glossy look) use pure Glycerin. Pure Glycerin is a natural preservative that works great on rubber (not the plastic, but the rubber).
For plastic parts I use the 303.
Tires, -if you want a natural look that doesn't make a mess use black shoe polish. Gives the tires a nice consistent flat black look.
For leather care, Lexol. It's been used to keep leather saddles supple for years and years, decades and decades actually. I think Lexol began as a saddle conditioner then made it's way into the auto business.
As far as interior trim (all the plastic parts and dials, guages, etc..) I use a lightly damp cloth and wipe off smudges and dirt.
Armor All -I hate it, it's a greasy mess in my opinion.
For exterior paint, I first apply Klaus's (sp?) synthetic wax protect-ant, then after it cures for 24hrs I go over w/ a single coat of PS21 pure caranuaba wax.
For wheels I sometimes put a thin (very very very thin) coat of Petroleum Vasoline. Vasoline will seal any microscopic cracks in the wheels and prevent dust and brake dust from penetrating and creating rust spots, etc. Yet be aware that vasoline also attracts dust and brake dust, so apply it extremely conservatively to each wheel. -Just a tiny dab will spread across entire wheel.
Engine wipe down and brush off dust as needed.
This is basically how I care for my Mini (and Porsche).
For plastic parts I use the 303.
Tires, -if you want a natural look that doesn't make a mess use black shoe polish. Gives the tires a nice consistent flat black look.
For leather care, Lexol. It's been used to keep leather saddles supple for years and years, decades and decades actually. I think Lexol began as a saddle conditioner then made it's way into the auto business.
As far as interior trim (all the plastic parts and dials, guages, etc..) I use a lightly damp cloth and wipe off smudges and dirt.
Armor All -I hate it, it's a greasy mess in my opinion.
For exterior paint, I first apply Klaus's (sp?) synthetic wax protect-ant, then after it cures for 24hrs I go over w/ a single coat of PS21 pure caranuaba wax.
For wheels I sometimes put a thin (very very very thin) coat of Petroleum Vasoline. Vasoline will seal any microscopic cracks in the wheels and prevent dust and brake dust from penetrating and creating rust spots, etc. Yet be aware that vasoline also attracts dust and brake dust, so apply it extremely conservatively to each wheel. -Just a tiny dab will spread across entire wheel.
Engine wipe down and brush off dust as needed.
This is basically how I care for my Mini (and Porsche).
#22