Trim Restoration

[SwampTrac]

Welp, my ST has the faded grey cladding that everyone hates. At first, it didn't really bother me, but its starting to fade out more, and I'm getting really tired of rubbing restorer on it every few washes. I've used armorall with good results, but the longevity is next to none. I know I don't want to paint it. I like having trim and bumpers that can take a beating without getting chipped or scratched. After poking around, I found these cerakote wipes, and this forever black stuff. What do y'all think? Anyone ever used either of these? Or are there any other ideas?

 

[dvdswan]

Both of them dye the trim black or are for black trim.

 

[Mike Whited]

I had an '03 XLT Premium with gray lower trim. My gray trim would turn almost white, but I've used Back to Black and Bumper Black in the past. Now I use Armor All Outlast Trim & Plastic restorer. It may take a couple applications if it's really bad, but it's good stuff (although it's oily). I use on the black tonneau cover and trim around the bed and windshield on my 2008 ST.

 

[smccarty.1223]

Nothing ever works long-term so I did all my trim in bed liner

 

[oknopa]

Welp, my ST has the faded grey cladding that everyone hates. At first, it didn't really bother me, but its starting to fade out more, and I'm getting really tired of rubbing restorer on it every few washes. I've used armorall with good results, but the longevity is next to none. I know I don't want to paint it. I like having trim and bumpers that can take a beating without getting chipped or scratched. After poking around, I found these cerakote wipes, and this forever black stuff. What do y'all think? Anyone ever used either of these? Or are there any other ideas?

that's funny, i just ordered the black forever kit one Amazon.

 

[stunner67]

I did spray on bed liner for all my trim. Looks really good. I installed a 3 inch body lift, wrapped it matteolive green and put ahummer H3 hood vent cover on the hood with 3m molding tape. Since this picture was taken, I installed projector lenses into the headlinghts

 

[oknopa]

Very cool looking.

 

[stunner67]

Very cool looking.

Thanks. That was about 2 years ago. Right now, I'm in the middle of rebuilding the motor and rewrapping it tan.

 

[oknopa]

Wow, that looks even better.

 

[stunner67]

Wow, that looks even better.

Thanks. I was thinking the same and why didn't I do this 2 years ago

 

[Sarah93003]

Fantastic looking truck. Did you do the wrap yourself or a company?

 

[SwampTrac]

Thanks y'all for the responses. I think Im gonna try the cerakote wipes soon and see how they work. Ill keep y'all posted. If that doesn't work I'm gonna bedline it. @oknopa, let us know how the forever black works. @stunner67, awesome looking rig.

 

[SwampTrac]

I did spray on bed liner for all my trim. Looks really good. I installed a 3 inch body lift, wrapped it matteolive green and put ahummer H3 hood vent cover on the hood with 3m molding tape. Since this picture was taken, I installed projector lenses into the headlinghtsView attachment 5194

Btw, Im really interested in how you did your projector headlights. Im sure everyone would appreciate it if you posted a how-to in the Projects section

 

[stunner67]

Fantastic looking truck. Did you do the wrap yourself or a company?

Did it myself. I have a small business where I do repairs, performance mods, and wraps

 

[stunner67]

Btw, Im really interested in how you did your projector headlights. Im sure everyone would appreciate it if you posted a how-to in the Projects section

It was a huge pain. I'll never do that again

 

[parker_lansing]

Thanks. I was thinking the same and why didn't I do this 2 years ago

What color code is that?

 

[stunner67]

What color code is that?

It's a vinyl wrap. The color is called Desert Sand by Hexis

 

[RMYLY]

will never use anything but ceracote...it is amazing. even the running board rubber became new looking. even think its been almost 2 yrs and still looks very dark. tape anything you dont want coated though...got a little on the windshield bottom corner and still havent found a way to get it off. take your time and do it on a cloudy day. of course my trim is black not the grey.

 

[SwampTrac]

I finally got around to trying the cerakote wipes. The results are pretty darn good. About as good as it gets after a truck sits in the sun for 22 years. We'll see about longevity. Ill keep y'all posted. Make sure you clean the cladding well with dawn and rubbing alcohol. It takes two boxes to do the cladding/bumpers. Also-when you apply the coating, rub the wipe in circles, not in passes as recommended. It looks less streaky that way. Heres some before and afters:

 

[oknopa]

looks nice.