Faded Window Trim Restoration

[scarchild35]

Yes, as loweredon33s said, try the Chemical Guys stuff. They have a vinyl and rubber formula restore/protect which will probably take care of that.

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[2020FX4]

I had this happen on my Ranger about a year after I bought it... Luckily I was still under the warranty and Ford replaced them. It's been fine ever since.

Good to know there are a few solutions to fix it with a little elbow grease.

 

[GitRDone]

10 4 thanks everyone.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Yes, as loweredon33s said, try the Chemical Guys stuff. They have a vinyl and rubber formula restore/protect which will probably take care of that.

Magic eraser is the key, you can use different cleaners.

 

[SDXLT]

Mine did the same thing. I’m still under warranty and it didn’t occur to me to get it replaced. Regardless, I took a propane torch and turned the flame all the way down and ran it down the length of the trim and it looks brand new. Took less than a minute each side. You can search YouTube to see it done.

 

[Trustable]

Hmm I wonder if there is some 303 product that will fix this?
I’n all serious there is quite a few products that fix black vinyl/rubber/plastic trim. I see chemical guys has a product and if it’s anything like their foam or polishing compounds I’d imagine it would work well. I know you can heat them as well with the torch and they will look great (for a bit not a long term solution) but may become very brittle.

 

[Floodstang]

Didn’t someone mention a trim cleaner or restorer made by Chemical Guys?

 

[JohnnyLightning]

I just meguires ultimate black and magic eraser. It kinda seems that the magic eraser does the work, but the meguires softens the rubber a bit. When you sand away on the hard white level you get to more softer black rubber. I just used blue tape on the paint and did all 4 of them in about 30 minutes. I cut the magic eraser into little bits.

I was thinking of buy all new ones. This was easier, faster and cheaper.

Thanks guys.

 

[Cmar]

These window trims are absolute shit quality. Not only have mine faded like that, but the rubber seal itself has completely gone to bits on the drivers side and is starting to go on the passenger one. I need to replace them but Ford want an absolutely outrageous price for them. This on a 2015 model truck. with only 125,000 Km. The 2011 model Santa Fe which it replaced, which is still in the family, and my son now drives, is parked out in the sun a lot more, and parked beside my truck when at home - its trims still look like new - in fact the whole car still looks like new, it has a much better paint job too.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Didn’t someone mention a trim cleaner or restorer made by Chemical Guys?

Yes, some cleaner and magic eraser fixes it super easily and so far has not come back.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Yes, some cleaner and magic eraser fixes it super easily and so far has not come back.

How long ago did you do this, and what's it looking like today?

I got a bottle of that stuff... I bought it to try and remove an errant polish mark on the bed liner - where polish splattered on the bed liner when I polished the truck. I can confirm it may work for some things, but not that. ? (I'll probably end up trying pencil eraser or something (magic eraaor didn't work)

 

[Loweredon33s]

How long ago did you do this, and what's it looking like today?

I got a bottle of that stuff... I bought it to try and remove an errant polish mark on the bed liner - where polish splattered on the bed liner when I polished the truck. I can confirm it may work for some things, but not that. ? (I'll probably end up trying pencil eraser or something (magic eraaor didn't work)

I did it in June and it’s still just as clean. I agree, I have found nothing that works on the bed but…… this totally works on the windows.

 

[tnewcomb6370]

Magic eraser and a little cleaner. I use Chemical guys trim cleaner. Very easy to clean with a little scrubbing. Don’t scrub your paint!! I did this a few months ago and it is still perfectly clean.

Did this today and still can't get over how easy it was to turn it back to black. Looks like the day I bought it.

 

[Loweredon33s]

Did this today and still can't get over how easy it was to turn it back to black. Looks like the day I bought it.

Awesome! A friend tried it with magic eraser and plain water, he had great results too!

 

[chasvs]

My window trim molding on both sides has faded from black to a scuzzy grey. It looks like there is a clear protective strip over the molding which has faded to a cloudy grey, causing the discoloration. I was tempted to peel that protector off, but thought twice. Has anyone experienced this, and how did you fix it?
P.S. The dark area in the photo on the left side of the molding is where I tried a bit of rubbing compound, which helped some but still not great.

Replaced all 4 pieces. One screw accessible from inside door with no other panel removal required. 5 minute job for each piece.

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