Plastic & Trim Restorers

About

Why Car Trim Fades & Loses Color All that black trim looked so sleek and fresh when you first got your car, but now it’s looking faded, chalky, and aging your whole vehicle. Unfortunately, it’s just what happens to plastic trim over time, caused by UV rays and accelerated by certain environmental factors. Sunlight breaks down plastic over time, affecting the oils that keep the material flexible and the color dark and rich. With enough exposure, the depletion of oil can even lead to cracks developing in the plastic. Living in an especially sunny state can make this more of a risk, though living in a cold or humid part of the country brings its own problems, too. Factors that affect the degradation of plastic include: Sunlight (UV radiation) High humidity Salt air (coastal areas) Road salt (colder states) Bumpers, side mirror housing, door handles, window and side trims are all vulnerable to damage from these elements, whether that’s from daily sun exposure or living near a windy coastline. For vehicles parked outdoors in the Sun Belt, fading can start to happen from 6-12 months, while cars parked in a garage might develop fading after 2-3 years. Tackling this problem is about preventative care and ongoing maintenance, hopefully avoiding the cost of replacement further down the line. DIY restoration can be done at home for $10-$20, while a detailing service can be anywhere from $75-$100. A replacement bumper might mean hundreds of dollars. How Trim Restorers Actually Work Trim restorer uses 4 mechanisms to tackle fading and brittle plastic, bringing it back to like-new condition and protecting it against future damage. Mechanism 1: Pigment in the restorer penetrates the porous surface of the plastic, filling in color where the original has depleted. Mechanism 2: Conditioning oils (polymers) replace plasticizers lost through UV exposure, restoring flexibility and reducing brittleness. Mechanism 3: UV inhibitors create a protective shield against sun damage, blockin