Author Topic: How to make Black trim black again? (Read 8511 times)

zukgod1 · « **on:** June 15, 2008, 03:06:52 pm »

SO the question is..

Is there a good way to make the Black trim, fender flares etc black again without having to apply armor all or the equivalent every couple days.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2008, 03:10:43 pm »

Many people swear by Kiwi brand black shoe polish.

jimfoo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2008, 03:19:55 pm »

Black vinyl spray paint?

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2008, 09:04:54 pm »

The kiwi shoe stuff. Hands down. It will make it shiny black. Paint will work well too, but it won't be as glossy black.

I reapply it every spring to ensure it is nearly perfect looking.

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2008, 04:44:35 am »

i've used tremclad black gloss paint believe it or not. one thing for the prep though is to wash it down real good with a good soap that doesn't leave a residue (any dirt/oil will result in peeling). it lasted 3 years without peeling or fading and then the car went to the scrapper... who knows how long it would've lasted??? :wink:

it looked really great!!!

zukgod1 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2008, 09:25:35 am »

I'll try the shoe polish option I think and report back.

Thanks for the replies.

Zulfiqar · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2008, 11:19:19 am »

dont apply the black shoe polish - you want the kiwi liquid leather dye, I did my arches, sills bumpers and dash and they look like fresh from the factory

zukgod1 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2008, 11:32:05 am »

Quote from: "Zulfiqar"

dont apply the black shoe polish - you want the kiwi liquid leather dye, I did my arches, sills bumpers and dash and they look like fresh from the factory

I knew I had heard it was leather die at some point.
I looked for it the last time I went to wally world but wasn't able to locate any.
There is hobby/ material shop in the next town over, I'll check there.
Thanks for confirming I'm not loosing my mind.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2008, 05:20:38 pm »

I've seen it at Safeway, London Drugs and I think Walmart too.

It will be in the shoe section.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2008, 06:45:12 am »

I looked at our local wally world in the material and shoe section.
Nothing but the paste.
I wont get to go looking for it again until Saturday.

snakemaster · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2008, 10:05:42 am »

i use a wire brush on the plastic parts and then go over the fenders -arches with a heat gun and that go back to the proper colour :lol:

Quantum TD · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2008, 10:06:59 am »

Quote from: "Zulfiqar"

dont apply the black shoe polish - you want the kiwi liquid leather dye, I did my arches, sills bumpers and dash and they look like fresh from the factory

Just out of curiosity, how long does the finish last? I'm looking at SEM bumper paint for mine, but if there is something easier that doesn't need a lot of prep, last long, and wont' involve me removing my trim, then I'm all for it.

(sorry about the thread jack).

Zulfiqar · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2008, 10:15:33 am »

It lasts a year and the finish is priceless - far better than you can get from any bumper paint. It gives off that original black lustre you want

everything involves prepping, these can be painted on the car - but you need a covered garage to do them - prepping is a good wash with simple green and a nylon brush - then just apply the dye evenly with a sponge brush

Ziptar · « **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2008, 02:36:50 am »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Many people swear by Kiwi brand black shoe polish.

It's not the shoe polish it's the Leather Dye.

I am one of those people. It looks great when it's done and lasts a while. I did my Jetta for the first time back in February. Still looks great. One bottle just about should do the whole car.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2008, 10:12:20 am »

Actually, the reason Vince calls it shoe polish is because for some reason they can't market it as "leather dye" in Canada.

The stuff we have up here, which is identical to the American version, is called Honor Guard.