Sofia Martinez
Maintaining the plastic trim on your car is essential to keeping it looking brand new. Plastic trim can become damaged, faded, and oxidized, making your car look older. Luckily, there are several ways to polish plastic trim and make it look new again. This includes using a rotary polisher, applying a trim restoration spray, and heating unpainted, unsealed plastic with a heat gun. Before polishing, it's important to wash the trim with mild liquid soap and water and mask off surrounding areas with tape. After polishing, use a soft cloth to remove any excess compound and buff the trim. To increase the time between cleanings, apply a plastic restorer, which also forms a protective layer against UV rays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once a year or so to keep scratches from developing on the trim |
| Tools | Car plastic polish, foam pad, rotary polisher, soft cloths, trim restoration spray, masking tape, microfibre cloth |
| Process | Wash the trim with mild liquid soap and water, tape around the trim, apply plastic polishing compound with a foam pad and rotary polisher, buff off the polish with a clean foam pad, wipe down the trim and surrounding area with a soft cloth |
| Plastic polish types | Light grit, medium grit, heavy grit |
| Plastic restorer | Forms a protective layer from UV rays to prevent damage |
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What You'll Learn
Wash the trim with a mild liquid soap and water
To polish plastic car trim, it is recommended to start by washing the trim with a mild liquid soap and water. This step is not mandatory, but it will help you achieve the cleanest-looking trim.
Begin by wiping the trim with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust and dirt. You can use a microfiber cloth or rag for this initial wipe-down. This step will prevent the polishing pad from picking up any dirt or residue from the surface of the trim and spreading it around the plastic.
Next, you will need to prepare a mild liquid soap and water solution. Choose a soap that is gentle and suitable for car washing. Mix a small amount of the soap with warm water to create a sudsy solution.
Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the soap and water solution, ensuring it is damp and not soaking wet. Carefully wipe down the trim with the damp cloth, paying attention to any crevices or detailed areas. You may need to use a soft-bristled brush to reach tight spaces, ensuring that all dirt and grime are removed.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned the trim, rinse the soap off with clean water. You can use a gentle stream of water from a hose or a spray bottle filled with water to avoid getting the car's interior wet. Ensure that all soap residue is removed, as any remaining soap can leave water spots or streaks.
After rinsing, dry the trim thoroughly with a soft, absorbent cloth or towel. It is important to ensure that the trim is completely dry before proceeding with the next steps of polishing and waxing.
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Tape around the trim to protect surrounding areas
To polish your car's plastic trim, you'll need to tape around the trim to protect the surrounding areas. This is an important step to prevent any unwanted damage to your car's paint, metal, glass, or other surfaces. Here's how to do it:
First, make sure the trim and the surrounding areas are clean. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust, dirt, or debris. This will ensure that no dirt or dust is trapped under the tape, creating a clean surface for the tape to adhere to.
Next, grab a roll of masking tape. Carefully peel off strips of tape and apply them to cover all the areas surrounding the trim. This includes any rubber, glass, paint, or metal surfaces that are close to the trim. Take your time with this step to ensure accuracy. Get each strip of tape as close to the trim's edge as possible, creating a tight seal.
It's important to note that standard rotary polishers may be too large for your trim, so consider using a mini or 3-inch (7.6 cm) rotary polisher to avoid tape residue being picked up by the pad.
Once you've applied the tape, you can proceed with polishing the plastic trim, following the rest of the steps in the polishing process. After you're done polishing and have removed the masking tape, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe down the surrounding area, removing any tape residue, dust, or dirt that may have been left behind.
By taking the time to carefully tape around the trim, you can protect the surrounding areas of your car and ensure a precise and effective polishing job.
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Apply a light-medium strength polishing compound
To apply a light-medium strength polishing compound to your car's plastic trim, start by attaching a foam pad to your rotary polisher. Protect your hands with gloves, and apply a thin layer of the polish onto the foam pad—you don't need a lot of product.
Next, set the rotary polisher to a low-medium speed. Place the foam pad on the plastic trim while the rotary polisher is spinning. You may need to tilt the pad so it only touches the trim and not the other areas of your car's exterior.
Apply light pressure to slowly cover the entire surface of the trim with the compound. Repeat the application twice. Use a soft cloth to remove any excess polishing compound from the trim. If you still see scratches or marks, use the rotary polisher to apply more compound.
Once you are happy with how the trim looks, it's time to buff off the polish. Run a clean foam pad across the trim a few times, using the same technique you used to apply it. Remove the masking tape and use another clean, soft cloth to wipe down the trim and the surrounding area. This will remove any remaining polishing compound, tape residue, and dust or dirt.
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Buff the trim with a clean cloth
Buffing is the final step in polishing plastic car trim. It involves using a clean cloth to wipe down the trim and the surrounding area. This will remove any remaining polishing compound, tape residue, dust, or dirt. It is important to use a clean, soft cloth for this step to avoid scratching the trim.
Before buffing, it is recommended to use a foam pad to apply a light- to medium-strength automotive polishing compound to the trim. This can be done by hand or with a rotary polisher set to a medium-low speed. It is important to use light pressure and to tilt the pad so that it only touches the trim and not the other areas of the car's exterior. The compound should be applied twice to ensure complete coverage.
After the compound has been applied, the buffing process can begin. Use a clean, soft cloth to gently buff the trim. Run the cloth across the trim a few times, using the same technique as when applying the compound. This will remove any excess compound and help to create a smooth, shiny finish.
If you are using a rotary polisher, you may want to use a clean foam pad instead of a cloth for buffing. This will help to ensure that the trim is evenly buffed and may be easier to manoeuvre than a cloth. Again, use light pressure and tilt the pad as needed to avoid contacting other surfaces.
By following these steps and paying attention to detail, you can effectively buff plastic car trim and achieve a sparkling clean finish.
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Apply a trim restorer to increase time between cleanings
To increase the time between cleanings, you can apply a trim restorer or "plastic restorer". This product not only enhances the appearance of your car's trim but also offers protection from UV rays and other environmental elements, keeping the trim looking new for weeks.
There are a variety of trim restorers available on the market, such as VRP Vinyl, Rubber, and Plastic Shine and Protectant. These products are safe for both the interior and exterior trim and can be reapplied as often as needed.
To apply a trim restorer, start by shaking the bottle to ensure the formula is evenly mixed. Then, apply a small line of the product to a premium-grade microfiber applicator. Gently work the product into the trim using straight, linear motions to avoid swirl marks and ensure a uniform finish.
Finish by buffing the surface lightly with a fresh microfiber towel to lock in the shine and achieve a polished, professional finish. This will help to increase the time between cleanings by protecting your trim from damage and keeping it looking its best.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need car plastic polish, a foam pad, a rotary polisher, and a few soft cloths.
First, wash your trim with mild liquid soap and water. Next, use masking tape to cover the surrounding areas, including glass, paint, and metal. Then, apply the plastic polishing compound using the foam pad and rotary polisher. Finally, buff the trim with a clean cloth.
Set the rotary polisher to a low to medium speed.
Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe down the trim and the surrounding area after removing the tape. This will remove any remaining compound, tape residue, and dirt.
You can use a trim restoration spray to remove discoloration, dirt, and blemishes. To protect your trim from UV rays and prevent damage, apply a plastic restorer or "trim restorer".
