Faded black trim can be a real eyesore on any vehicle and it makes the vehicle look worn and dated. There are many products on the market that can be used to temporarily rejuvenate faded trim, but Solution Finish struck my interest as it appeared to darken severely faded trim much more than other products I have seen.
Solution Finish Black Trim Restorer restores black surfaces to a deep, rich finish, without any “wet look” or shine. This unique formula combines ancient ingredients with advanced polymer technology to provide a spectacular, long-lasting, black, protective finish. Use it to restore, condition, and protect bumpers, pads, trim, mirrors, mud flaps, window trim, seals, running boards, truck bed caps and covers, handles, wiper blades, etc. Another big plus with Solution Finish is that it is formulated for professional use, meaning it is a silicone-free solution that uses all natural oils and is VOC compliant. If you are looking for a great product to help restore faded trim, look no further then Solution Finish Black Trim Restorer!
I chose to test this product out on the wiper cowl of a 2004 Subaru STi that I was working on. The faded plastic became much more noticeable once the vehicle was cleaned and polished. Prep work was very straight forward. The trim was cleaned with Meguiar’s D103 All Purpose Cleaner (which is now discontinued – D101 is a great alternative) during the initial wash of the vehicle, and was then wiped down with diluted IPA just before applying Solution Finish to ensure the surface was clean.
The instructions for application were quick and easy:
- Shake bottle well and apply a small amount to applicator pad or microfiber sponge.
- Spread a thin coat over area in an even motion, covering area completely.
- Allow solution to penetrate for 1-2 minutes.
- Use a clean microfiber sponge or foam pad to buff off excess and wipe off glass and paint (will stain unsealed paint).
- Admire the results!
The following photo shows an excellent comparison of a restored area compared to the original faded trim. This was approximately 1 minute after application and after very gently wiping the surface to remove a couple of high spots where the product was applied too thick.
Solution Finish left a dark, but very natural looking finish on the treated area. It has a slight sheen to it, but was completely dry to the touch.
Application took just a minute or two, and the wiper cowl looked as good as new when I was done. I was very impressed at how little product was needed to provide such great coverage. The finish was very even (no streaking or dark spots) and it really made the car look much better.
For testing purposes, I got a little bit of product on the surrounding paint and glass. I found that Solution Finish was easy to remove when wiped away immediately, but as the instructions state, it can stain if you are not careful. Gloves should also be worn as this product can stain clothes and skin.
I am looking forward to seeing how this product holds up. It was extremely easy to use and provided fantastic results. A little product goes a very long way, so even the smaller 1oz bottle would be enough to cover quite a lot of trim. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to protect your trim, consider giving Solution Finish a try. I was very pleased with the results that I got on this STi!
Detailed Image carries this product in individual bottles (1oz & 12oz), or as a Solution Finish Kit that contains: 1oz Solution Finish Black Trim Restorer, 4oz Denatured Alcohol, 2 Latex Gloves, 2 Microfiber Applicator Pads, Microfiber Towel (16 x 16), and Applicator Brush.