What is the best thing to use on the black sections aroung the Windows? Some sections seem like they are rubber, but others seem more plasticky. I've seen on all cars after some years, they start looking awful and grey and I've never really know how to stop this. Perhaps you can't if its just the Sun breaking down the plastic/rubber??

Mossy

I use armoral products.,..need to reapply once in a while.
Don't forget along the top of the back bumper as well, as well as the roof rack..mines black and has that same material

I'm a little hesitate to use Armor All as I've heard some really bad reports on it that it actually ends up drying out plastics more unless you keep loading it on. Inside plastics I'm using Quick interior Detail from Meguirs. You can certainly tell the difference as it has no greasy feel to it. But I don't think it would be really suitable on the outside of the car. Perhaps I should just use normal car polish?

Aerospace 303 Protectant (http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=428&CFID=49895520&CFTOKEN=43547827).

Thanks for the lead...omg..don't use car polish/wax on those plastic parts. I swear..i got some on the roof rails, top of the bumper etc, and it looks like crap..very difficult to get off...it slowly worked itself off over the winter thankfully.

An old trick I used to use when I got the wax/polish on the black parts was to use nail polish remover. That would be mainly on the rubber parts. Not sure what effect it would have on plastic though but considering that the remover is now sold in plastic bottles, it may mean that it's viable... not sure though.

As for the rubber parts, use the remover and then wash normally with water and soap. the black rubber will look new.

I use Black Jack Black Again. Leaves a really deep looking shine that lasts for months.

Used the Armor All polish for my wife`s car faded out plastic bumper. Looked like new for a while but then gradually faded out again. So re-application is necessary.

Used the Armor All polish for my wife`s car faded out plastic bumper. Looked like new for a while but then gradually faded out again. So re-application is necessary.


Fade out as in "graying" or something like that?

I use GUNK silicone lubricant spray. I saw it suggested once on motor week TV show a long time ago for making your weather stripping lasting a really long time. I started using it on my black moldings and black mirrors on my other vehicles and plan to use it on my Pat. When applying you spray the rag and then rub down the black plastic and rubber because you don't want that gunk on your windows or paint. It will make the shine last a really long time and some what protect it. When I did use armor all products those always "faded" or dried up the plastics on my vehicles. IMO

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/goss/2831.shtml

Does it have a greasy feel to it? I ask because of the black door handles.

I've used it on my black door handles on my old dodge ram truck before I sold it and it felt ok. Which is the last vehicle I had. Humm my pat is so new I haven't tried on those handles yet. It seems like the same kind of plastic tho to me. Also, I don't put it on the tires just the black rubber parts on the doors and trim. I'll try it out this weekend and let ya know.

Cool... Thanks. Am interested in this option. Nail polish remover tho effective, is not my favorite.

Westly's on the tires for me. If I use any shine, its with a sponge for a "satin" look versus a gloss.

I use Black Jack Black Again. Leaves a really deep looking shine that lasts for months.

I use Black Again too. Have you ever noticed it produces static when you're applying it?

I use Black Again too. Have you ever noticed it produces static when you're applying it?

I really thought I was the only one that happened too.

silicone spray and a good helping of dirt.

What is the best thing to use on the black sections aroung the Windows? Some sections seem like they are rubber, but others seem more plasticky. I've seen on all cars after some years, they start looking awful and grey and I've never really know how to stop this. Perhaps you can't if its just the Sun breaking down the plastic/rubber??

Mossy

Mr. Clean magic eraser on the pieces around the window that go grey after time.

Don't use Armorall. I used it on my tires and it dryrotted them out. Would never try again on my new tires.

Don't use Armorall. I used it on my tires and it dryrotted them out. Would never try again on my new tires.

I have seen this sort of comment several times and am somewhat puzzled by it. I thought AA was "water based" and therefore better on rubber. Anyone know why AA would have this effect on rubber?

Personally, if you want to protect rubber, baby oil - Johnson's is best. I used it to no end on my scuba gear and it prevents all kinds of rotting. I have a 30 year old air regulator and it is in perfect working order and the rubber hoses are still rating good for the pressure they handle. Wish I could say the same of the diver though... :(

I have seen this sort of comment several times and am somewhat puzzled by it. I thought AA was "water based" and therefore better on rubber. Anyone know why AA would have this effect on rubber?

Personally, if you want to protect rubber, baby oil - Johnson's is best. I used it to no end on my scuba gear and it prevents all kinds of rotting. I have a 30 year old air regulator and it is in perfect working order and the rubber hoses are still rating good for the pressure they handle. Wish I could say the same of the diver though... :(

It's called Armor All addiction, seriously. I know several people on this forum swear by Armor All but I wouldn't put that stuff on anything on my Riot. What it does is replace the emollients in plastic with silicone and over time, if you don't keep applying the silicone the plastic will split and crack. I've been using Stoner products since I bought my Riot and I'm quite happy with them. If you're going to use baby oil on your Jeep please be sure to mix it one part baby oil and three parts water.

I have used a product called "Back to Black" by Mother's car care products. It worked pretty good on black metal and plastic.

Aerospace 303 Protectant (http://www.303products.com/tech/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=428&CFID=49895520&CFTOKEN=43547827).

X2....stuff is good.

I just bought this and it works great on those window trim pieces, and it blows Armorall out of the water for interior plastics and vinyl, works great on tires as well. Basically any interior or exterior plastics, I put some on the rear black bumper pad, side view mirrors, and door handles also. And it also smells pretty good, I neever really did care for the smell of Armorall.http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_list.cfm?sectionname=Consumer%20(Meguiar's %20Brand)%3ECar%20Trim/Molding%20Care&sectionID=16101

I have used a product called "Back to Black" by Mother's car care products. It worked pretty good on black metal and plastic.

I must agree. "Back to Black" by Mother's is pretty much the best stuff I've ever used. No greasy left over mess like Armor All and did an outstanding job and bringing back the color.

I used it on the door handles, side mirrors, black thingy on the rear bumper, black pieces on the roof rales and of course the plastic rocker panels. After over a week still looking nice and black with no terrible grease or extra ridicoulus shine.

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html

There is also something called New Again along the line of the Black Again but it is for the interior plastic. Works / looks great.

I'm experiecing some uneven fading of the black strip on top of my rear bumper, and would like to find the best product for restoring this surface back to 'new'.

The following products have been suggested here:

- "Back to Black" by Mothers
- 303 Aerospace Protectant
- Meguiar's Gold Class Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
- baby oil & nail polish remover :confused:

...and people seem to feel strongly both for and against ArmorAll. From what I've heard/read, I think I'll stay away from the ArmorAll.

Any other suggestions out there? And for those who have used the above-mentioned products, how are you finding that they are holding up with time?

the grabber at2's i bought about 3 weeks ago are changing color. i havent put anything on them to shine em. but the color is changing to a rusty look, in small patches all over the sidewall. how do i get rid of it or what is causing it? for 3 week old tires, they look really bad

I'm experiecing some uneven fading of the black strip on top of my rear bumper, and would like to find the best product for restoring this surface back to 'new'.

The following products have been suggested here:

- "Back to Black" by Mothers
- 303 Aerospace Protectant
- Meguiar's Gold Class Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
- baby oil & nail polish remover :confused:

...and people seem to feel strongly both for and against ArmorAll. From what I've heard/read, I think I'll stay away from the ArmorAll.

Any other suggestions out there? And for those who have used the above-mentioned products, how are you finding that they are holding up with time?

A friend had a Saab and the door handles were a textured black material, and they started turning gray; I read somewhere only to scrub them with peanut butter, so I told her about it, and she claimed it worked. Not sure if it worked forever, but seems like it lasted longer than commercial stuff she was buying.

the trick in the peanut-butter.. oil. Tried this over-the-counter stuff.. but it only worked for about a week, and then went back to the way it was. <_<

I found that it was alright to use a little carnuba wax on the black trim around the windows. It was able to bring the shine out. I was only able to do that because that rubber/plastic material is not textured. To get the plastic on the back bumper, door handles, etc. that is textured I used Mothers Back to Black. The reason why the plastic is discoloring is because it is drying out. As long as you can keep some kind of a plastic conditioner on it there should be no problem with the discoloration.

I use Turtle Wax Ice, same as on the paint. Everything except the tires and the glass.

Did mine (and the rear plastic bumper upper bit) using boiled linseed oil about 2 months ago. Look great. Haven't faded a bit since.