Black Bumpers X250

[hymernova1]

Hi all,

anyone got any tips for keeping the black bumpers black, as they fade in the sun over time. I use Autoglym bumper gel but its fairly pricey and although it looks good when applied it soon fades.

 

[Derek Uzzell]

There are quite a few suggestions here

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=136&t=956925&nmt=

 

Instead of the Autoglym product, you might try this one

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BLACK-TRIM-RESTORER-400ml-SILVERHOOK/dp/B00B6OQ1LG/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_4

 

as it's cheap and all the (4) customer reviews are positive.

 

Realistically, whatever 'treatment' product is used will need to be renewed periodically. The only permanent cure for faded/discoloured black plastic bumpers is to paint them (and that ain't necessarily a wonderful idea).

[Mel B]

We get something called 'back to black' from the £1 shops which works a treat!

[Derek Uzzell]

Unless the £1-shop stuff you use is a same-name copy, the product will be "Back to Black" from Simoniz. This came top in the 2012 AutoExpress best-bumper shine report

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/35842/best-bumper-shine

 

It's a protective cosmetic product that may help to extend the period that unpainted black plastic bumpers stay black and it will perk up faded bumpers for a while. But, like Autoglym's Bumper and Trim gel

 

http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/bumper-and-trim-gel

 

it won't prevent unpainted black bumpers fading/discolouring over time and (despite the Autoglym advertising) it won't magically restore badly faded/discoloured bumpers to their original factory-fresh condition.

[Mel B]

Derek Uzzell - 2013-09-23 7:37 AM

 

Unless the £1-shop stuff you use is a same-name copy, the product will be "Back to Black" from Simoniz. This came top in the 2012 AutoExpress best-bumper shine report

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/35842/best-bumper-shine

 

It's a protective cosmetic product that may help to extend the period that unpainted black plastic bumpers stay black and it will perk up faded bumpers for a while. But, like Autoglym's Bumper and Trim gel

 

http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/bumper-and-trim-gel

 

it won't prevent unpainted black bumpers fading/discolouring over time and (despite the Autoglym advertising) it won't magically restore badly faded/discoloured bumpers to their original factory-fresh condition.

 

Not sure of the exact name of what we have, that's what hubby calls it, however it is only £1!!! It does work I can assure you!!! Yesterday an ex-colleague came round in her 'new' car, a 2003 Land Rover and the bumpers etc on that were terrible, very badly faded and blotchy. Hubby saw it and told her about the stuff we have and gave it a go with it and the difference was quite spectacular, nice shiny black bumpers etc again - yes, really!

 

We've used it on our vehicles for a good few years and for £1 a can it doesn't break the bank to give it a quick once-over every now and then to keep it looking good and it is very quick and easy to use too.

[gocro]

Plasticote, plastic spray paint.

[granddad]

 

hi peanut butter smooth try and tested on my old renault car

 

[lennyhb]

I always use olive oil.

[Cliffy]

 

 

This was discussed last year in Motorhome forum-matters..

 

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Keeping-Bumpers-Black/29191/

 

 

[Guest Peter James]

lennyhb - 2013-10-29 9:12 PM

 

I always use olive oil.

 

I tried olive oil on the plastic bumpers once, it went on easily and looked Great.

But then dust and dirt stuck to it and it looked a mess.

So I had to scrub it off again.

[spospe]

I have used an electric hot air paint stripper. This must be used with some care and not left to 'linger' over any one spot for too long, but the results were good. I have used it in the black plastic side panels of two Duettos and there were no problems at all.

[Guest Peter James]

spospe - 2013-11-07 6:33 PM

 

I have used an electric hot air paint stripper. This must be used with some care and not left to 'linger' over any one spot for too long, but the results were good. I have used it in the black plastic side panels of two Duettos and there were no problems at all.

 

Thanks for the tip. I tried that today and am quite pleased with the results. But I found that all the plastics appear not to be the same as it worked better on some than others. Fortunately it worked best on the big panels at the front and rear - the most conspicuous. The only part that doesn't look better is the strip over the rear number plate, but thats hardly noticeable anyway.