Help needed with restoring black trim

The place to pick up tips on bringing that showroom shine back to your E30.

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fearlessphil
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Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:21 pm

hey guys i tried to resurect some of my faded black trim peices with bumper back to black with no joy! what would you recomend? i hate the trim it should be black but is a horrible light gray!
tha881
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Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:14 pm

Try some t-cut, you might be suprised. It certainly helps get rid of the small scratches and marks. I used autoglym polish [similar to t-cut, but less abrasive] on mine the other day and was shocked because it almost looked brand new after
jmc330i
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Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:52 pm

I don't know if it works for all black trim, but apparently peanut butter will bring the black number plate trim up nicely - smooth peanut butter, not the crunchy stuff.
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omens
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Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:12 pm

Groundnut oil works best and is essentially what you're using from peanut butter. I've seen people on DW use hairdryers to heat up the plastic and turn black, which can then be dressed and tends to stay black for ages.
polsta
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Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:48 am

its heat guns they use, i gave it a go, its shite :D

what about that forever black stuff , supposed to be decent, or satin black
zaust
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Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:02 pm

I have always used a heat gun. Brings it up like new.
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verde
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Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:05 pm

BACK TO BLACK

works pretty well
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A18RPF
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Thu Oct 11, 2012 11:28 pm

Used engine oil works a treat if used sparingly. Too much and all your paintwork goes 'back to black'
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Kos
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Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:02 pm

used engine oil 8O

next you'll advise that a brillo pad and brick acid is good for alloy wheels
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e30den
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Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:19 pm

A heat gun session followed by chemical new look trim dressing will give pleasing results.
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brummied
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Thu Oct 18, 2012 10:09 pm

spray a bit of wd40 onto a cloth and wipe over
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tommygoldy
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Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:44 am

Mer polish works well IME although go easy on matte surfaces as it's slightly abrasive and may make them shiny if you overdo it. Safer and easier than T-Cut though.
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conor1992
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Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:34 pm

I tend to use boiled lindseed oil (generally used on woods) or when i can get hold of it from work i use a silicone spray, makes them look brand new and makes the water just bead off, much like polish, Boiled lindseed oil does the same.
kangman
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Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:51 pm

hair wax (dax)
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