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General Information => General => Topic started by: zukgod1 on June 15, 2008, 03:06:52 pm

Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Vincent Waldon on June 15, 2008, 03:10:43 pm
Many people swear by Kiwi brand black shoe polish.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: jimfoo on June 15, 2008, 03:19:55 pm
Black vinyl spray paint?
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Op-Ivy 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: jtanguay 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!!!
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: zukgod1 on June 16, 2008, 09:25:35 am
I'll try the shoe polish option I think and report back.

Thanks for the replies.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Zulfiqar 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
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: zukgod1 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Op-Ivy 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: zukgod1 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: snakemaster 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:
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Quantum TD 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).
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Zulfiqar 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
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Ziptar 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.
(http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/v/vspfiles/photos/118011-2T.jpg)
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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Op-Ivy 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.
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: zukgod1 on June 19, 2008, 10:33:34 am
Quote from: "Ziptar"
Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
Many people swear by Kiwi brand black shoe polish.


It's not the shoe polish it's the Leather Dye.
(http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/v/vspfiles/photos/118011-2T.jpg)
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.


This is perfect, I sent that pic to my wife and she said "ya I saw that the other day" So I'll be able to get some now..
Title: How to make Black trim black again?
Post by: Deutschbag on June 22, 2008, 01:47:36 pm
Here's a thread I made on VWVortex a long time ago:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2493675

Not super thorough, but kinda cool, people enjoyed it.