Black plastic trim is present on pretty much every car made in the last 35 years, but it does benefit from some care and protection from black trim restorers. From the giant slabs of plastic that make up the bumpers of modern vans and base model city cars of old to small styling details of high-end saloons, black plastic is everywhere, and that’s where trim restorer comes into its own.
And while it will look really good under the lights of a dealership and when it’s brand new, black plastic is not the best for retaining the dark look that makes it so enticing. The once rich black plastic goes a horrible flat grey as the sun’s harmful UV rays damage the plastic trim, making the surface brittle and stripping away the black pigment.
Unlike car wax, which is generally more popular and protective. It’s very easy to look at faded trim pieces and write them off as nothing to worry about. Yet, for a relatively small amount of money and some elbow grease, restoring these trim pieces will make your car worth more when it comes time to sell it.
The best black trim restorers tested 2024 at a glance:
The best black trim restorer: Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Autoglym Bumper and Trim Gel – buy from Amazon
The best for a wet satin look: Auto Finesse Revive – buy from Amazon
Thankfully, there are a load of black trim restorers available on the market, capable of restoring that lost lustre and protecting the car against future damage. They carry over the same principle as classic car waxes, ensuring longevity for older materials. We grouped together five of the best on the market and put them all to the ultimate test: which one is best?
Although if we’ve found anything on this test, the answer is slightly more complex than you might think. Simply because – they’re all designed slightly differently.
How we tested black trim restorers
There were two dfferent test vehicles we tried the black trim restorers on: a Kia Rio, where its black trim was beginning to degrade, and a Citroen C1, which was already looking very grey on the trim.
We tested the trim restorers on a fairly hot summer day with temperatures peaking at in the early 20-22°C margin. Some trim restorers require you to apply the product on a clean surface in a shaded area. We read the instructions on each thoroughly and followed the advice as closely as we could to ensure fair results.
If a trim restorer we test instructs us to apply in a shaded area, we’ll position the vehicle to do exactly that. Those that don’t specify what conditions are required are applied normally with some sunlight directed onto it – replicating what it might be like to use the products on a driveway at home.
All black trim restorer products require the surface of application to be cleaned and spotless. As we didn’t have both the time or resources to give each car a thorough detail, we made do with a couple of microfibre cloths from Bilt Hamber and a 500ml bottle of Gtechniq W5 All-Purpose Cleaner.
In terms of applying the trim restorer, we used applicator pads if they were supplied with the product. For the Gtechniq C4, a set of little pads were supplied, and we used those. For everything else, we used a few Autoglym applicator pads and made sure that a clean one was used for each product we tried to ensure accuracy and fair results.
What we look for in black trim restorers
As trim restorers are slightly more niche and complex than regular car shampoo or wheel cleaners, we look for the things that will make the biggest difference to UV-faded trim on your vehicle.
The first is the ease of application/use. This will be the most important aspect of trying the stuff out, and if you’re new to trying it, the easier the better. However, points can be awarded back to trims if the tone – or blackness – of the finish is exceptional – even if they are slightly more complex to apply by requiring a bit of curing time.
The slickness of the finish is also something we like. If a trim restorer gives a show quality-like finish, it’s perfect if you’re an advocate for presentation on a vehicle and will show up great in photos when you come to sell your vehicle. But more important than its appearance is how long it lasts; trims that last bigger chunks of time than others may represent better value for money as they don’t need to be re-applied as often.
The best black trim restorers tested 2024
One little dabble of the liquid onto the fingertip-sized applicator pad, and you can spread it all over a huge chunk of trim as if you were applying magic paint to it. The process is immensely easy, and thanks to the clever use of nanotechnology to achieve the product's efficiency, you can restore the trim quickly as well. The only thing required is a quick buff after application, and you do can do this pretty much straight away. The trim dried out quickly, and there is no need to hang around waiting for it to cure.
It is quite pricey, but if you're after instant effects with a precise fingertip application, look no further. And because you're using a small applicator and your fingertips, you can access areas that no hand-sized pad can reach - such as underneath the windscreen wipers while restoring the black trim there. What's more, it's designed to last for up to two years, which confidently out-trumps the other restorers on this list, so longevity points are all handed to Gtechniq on this test.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Instant results, thanks to no requirement of curing
- Incredibly efficient due to nanotechnology in a tiny bottle
- Very easy to apply, thanks to a fingertip-sized applicator pad, which means you can dip into hard-to-reach areas
Cons
- Took a little bit of effort in some instances if you don't apply enough
| Volume | 30ml |
| Restorer type | Thin solution |
| Curing time | None |
| Lasting time | Up to two-years (claimed) |
Because there's no curing time, I was able to grab a clean microfibre cloth and buff off the residue instantly - and it showed up even more black than the Gtechniq gel. For things like car shows or a quick bit of detailing, this works as a companion to make your vehicle shine at its best. For bumpers and large bodywork trim, this is your best bet.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Very quick and easy to apply, thanks to no curing time
- Great value for money at £15 for 500ml of gel
- Instant results and a dark, glossy finish to sign it off
Cons
- Not the easiest to apply onto the pad, meaning it's easy to have too much
| Volume | 500ml |
| Type | Gel |
| Curing time | None |
| Lasting time | Up to three-months |
- Tested "The results on the rear of my Volvo speak for themselves, there was an immediate change in the appearance of the faded plastics and they now look brand new. It was also very easy to apply, the only issue I had was regulating how much gel I applied to the applicator pad. Still, any excess was easily buffed away. It also has a really nice smell, a little worrying for something that can cause drowsiness and dizziness."
Best black trim restorer for heavy-duty jobs
Rrp: $15.65
Rrp: $15.65
Rather than mark it down for that however, I gave it the benefit of the doubt and applied it onto a sponge applicator pad, rubbed it in evenly across the trim(s), before wiping the residue away immediately with a clean microfibre cloth. It became clear this is how you use it, and thus it works perfectly as an instant restorer that's time efficient like the Gtechniq and Autoglym products.
The results were pretty fabulous as well. Not only did they appear instantly after application and wiping/buffing, but the tone of the black itself looked very deep and natural compared to the UV faded-ness before. If you've got a lot of black trim to cover and don't really want a wet look, this is a great option for it. But for me, it doesn't quite match the quality of the finish that the Autoglym restorer provided.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Easy to apply and very quick to apply due to no need for curing
- Great UV protection on large panels and instantly-noticeable results
- Deep, but natural look to the trim and it dries out very quickly
Cons
- Doesn't quite match the quality finish that the Autoglym provides
| Volume | 355ml |
| Type | Gel |
| Curing time | None |
| Lasting time | Up to a month |
The Black to the Future was given the biggest challenge, too. I tasked it with restoring the worst UV-faded trim of a 2016 Kia Rio. The front B-pillar on the driver's door was practically turning grey and stood out from the rest like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, ValetPro's gel took to the challenge and made a splendid effort at it.
I'd be lying if I said it blackened out that bit of trim completely, but the difference was night and day, and I would say it restored a good 90% of the fade. I reckon with a second coat, that bit of trim would've been cured completely. Because the product was applied already, we couldn't find out whether any of the others would've blackened out that trim instantly, but it's still a very good effort, considering the price point.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Versatile choice, as it can be used on tyres as well as trim
- Bottle lasts a long time, thanks to quantity of gel
- Makes a world of difference to previously-faded black trim
Cons
- Not quite as strong as the others, but this is reflected in its price
- Requires curing time of around ten-minutes
| Volume | 250ml |
| Type | Gel dressing |
| Curing time | 5-10 minutes |
| Lasting time | (Claimed) 'months at a time' |
Applying it took a little more care than the others - largely because if felt a little bit thicker and sticker than the others. This isn't necessarily noticeable when applying, but certainly when buffing after the stated time period, I wondered whether it should've been left a little bit longer. But still, the results were mightily impressive. You get a wet, satin finish that stood out from the others (albeit by a fraction) and gave a very rich, deep tone that would look fabulous on any show vehicle.
Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Very rich, glossy satin finish which adds a deep black tone to your trims
- Instantly-noticeable results, even before the buffing stage
- You only need a tiny amount to make a world of difference - thus making it very efficient and long-lasting
Cons
- 20-minutes required wait time before wiping the residue away
| Volume | 500ml |
| Type | Gel |
| Curing time | 20-minutes |
| Lasting time | 2-4 weeks (claimed) |
FAQs and things to remember with black trim restorer
What is black trim on a car?
Black trim is integrated onto the bodywork of a car to break up the colour and add some contrast to the styling. Many are there as design elements or functional bits of trim that are cheaper to manufacture than metal.
On many passenger cars, blocks of trim are found between bumpers, on the A and B pillars, and sometimes even by the radiator grille. The windscreen wipers and exterior housing that surrounds them are also prone to UV fading, so restorer is useful to apply there as well.
Before you restore
Before you restore your trim, make sure that the trim is clean from debris to avoid scratching the trim while it’s being restored. You don’t have to wash the entire car as usual; however, a diluted all purpose cleaner (APC) sprayed onto the trim and wiped away should be more than enough. On our test, we employed Gtechniq’s G5 Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner along with a cloth provided by Bilt Hamber. Of course, you can use whatever brand of APC and cloth you please, this is what we had on hand at the time before applying the tested trim restorers. After you’re done, it may be nice to treat your vehicle with a coat of spray wax to ensure further protection.
All our top trim restorers won’t pose a threat to paintwork either, so there’s no need to apply masking tape to the surrounding areas. If there is a little over-spray, all you’ll need to do is wipe it away with a clean microfibre towel.
Does black trim restorer work on non-black trim?
The majority of these products are designed for black trim only and will not give the desired look on other colours. If you have coloured trim that’s looking a little. The same can be said for chromed or metal trim, you’ll need a proper polish and a paint sealant for the best results.
Does black trim restorer work on piano black exterior trim?
Glossy black plastic trim is a popular choice for window trim. It is notoriously hard to keep scratch-free and susceptible to UV damage like all black trim. While one of these trim restorers will restore any lost lustre, the tiny scratches won’t be removed and will require machine polishing for a flawless finish.
How can I prevent my trim from becoming damaged?
One of the easiest tips is to park your car in a garage when at home and/or to try and park it in a shaded area. UV rays are caused by the sun shining in direct sunlight, and it affects black plastic particularly badly. It’s the same effect where a lot of red cars from the 1980s or 90s used to fade to pink, only that black plastics are affected nowadays.
For optimum protection against UV damage, consider ceramic coating your car. It offers excellent protection against the harmful UV rays that damage your car’s trim.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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