Cladding Won't Stay Black

**phlegm** · 06-14-2012, 04:55 AM

Yep, many threads on this before, but I'm increasingly frustrated with the plastic cladding.

I have a MY12, and from the first wash onwards the look has degraded, especially the rear panels.

No, I don't wax them.

I've heard of "Forever Black" and similar products, but:
-Should I really have to use that on a new car?
-Do I have to reapply it constantly?

As forum participants, and avid Volvo owners I think we care a bit more about our vehicles than the average person. So, there's no way I can imagine the typical owner going through hoops like this to keep the cladding looking good.

Do others owners just ignore it?
Any recommendations?

**XCovlov70** · 06-14-2012, 08:49 AM

Like you I got hacked off after around 1 month with the way the 'Black' went dull and lacklustre!

When I spoke to the dealer and specifically the guy who does the valeting of all the cars his 'solution' was to use a product called 'Auto Glym' but even though it comes recommended for Rolls Royce's this stuff costs an arm and a leg!

Maybe that's why it's so darn expensive!

So now I just put some Dish Washing Up liquid in warm water and clean off the 'black bits' using a medium stiff hand brush.

If I want it to have a little shine on it, then a bit of WD40 on a cloth rubbed over after the black bits dry off lasts for a couple of days, which now I would do if chopping it in for something else, its too time consuming to do each and every wash time, but as I don't want to chop it in, then the black bits can stay a bit dull.

It's only a visual 'problem' and with my "Starsky & Hutch" Sun Shades on I have a job to see the 'problem' anyway!!

**budrichard** · 06-14-2012, 09:57 AM

Since 1999, I have ignored it.-Dick

**jrjjrj** · 06-14-2012, 11:10 AM

I use Griot's Garage Vinyl and Rubber Dressing on all of the external black trim work. It doesn't make it shiny just cleans it up and gives it a consistent almost like new appearance.

**ifnt420** · 06-15-2012, 01:14 AM

Try silicone based lubricant, I've had good luck with it lasting up to one month before it starts to fade.

**barrykensett** · 06-16-2012, 08:08 AM

Really annoying this problem, never had it with my 05 XC70 which looked good up to 6 years old when I parted with it.. Black mark for Volvo even if not for the trims. Car has looked scruffy from 3 months onwards.
It should not be necessary to use any of the products talked about, none of them seem to last long.
Barry

**StuntmanMike** · 06-22-2012, 07:10 PM

I would paint it. I had the same problem with my Jeep, a '97 Grand Cherokee. It's very common for the plastic cladding and bumpers on the '93-'04 CG's to fade and become a dull gray. Painting has become a very common solution on all the Jeep boards that I frequent.

I recently redid mine, the first coat lasted about 6 years before it needed a repaint. The first time around I used Dupli-Color "Bumper Black", it's a flat, almost black (more like a very dark charcoal)paint made for plastic bumpers.

With a few hours of prep and masking it went on very easily, and looked great and lasted quite a while. And it was actually all the scratches and door dings that made me want to do the recent repaint, not a fading of the color.

The product I used this last time is called "Fusion" by Krylon, and comes in a wide range of colors and is made for plastic. The prep is minimal, I gave it a good wash, sanded down the dings, then went over the wholse surface with a scotchbrite pad to slightly scuff the surface for better paint adhesion, then washed it again and wiped it down with a cloth and laquer thinner. I used lots of tape and newspaper to mask it off, and aluminum foil works great for masking tricky areas where it's hard to tape the paper.

I used 4 cans to do both bumpers and all the side cladding, and I kept going aorund with light coats till all the cans were gone. It was very easy, and the results were fantastic. Also, I used satin black, which looked great since my Jeep is black. I would suggest the satin over the flat, the flat gives it a dull look, IMO.

All in all it took me maybe 3.5 hours.

I'm actually in the market for a 05-'07 XC70, and I'm sure this is one of the first things I'll do to the car, depending on color. DEFINITELY if a get a black one, the blackwould look amazing with the satin Krylon'd cladding.

I know the thought of taking a rattle can to your fairly new, expensive car probably sounds horrifying, but trust me, it's easy and the results are well worth the effort.

**peterb** · 06-27-2012, 11:15 PM

G'day Phlegm,

After trying a number of products I have settled on Meguiar's Gold Class 'Trim Detailer' - not a permanent solution but is easy to apply and lasts for a reasonable time before needing re-doing. I have been using it on my MY08 for over 2 years now and still on the original 296 ml (10 fl oz) bottle.

**phlegm** · 06-28-2012, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by peterb

G'day Phlegm,

After trying a number of products I have settled on Meguiar's Gold Class 'Trim Detailer' - not a permanent solution but is easy to apply and lasts for a reasonable time before needing re-doing. I have been using it on my MY08 for over 2 years now and still on the original 296 ml (10 fl oz) bottle.

Thanks all for the ideas.

Spoke to the detailing guy at my Canadian dealership, and he said he used the tire shine stuff - yikes, not sure about that! (BTW, they washed my car after a recent service, but didn't do the trim - maybe too much of a pain for them, SIGH.)

Might try the Meguiar's stuff as it seems specifically made for it, and it's a good brand.

Still a pain though...

...and dust seems to be super-attracted to freshly-treated and static-y panels.

**XCovlov70** · 06-28-2012, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by phlegm

Thanks all for the ideas.

Spoke to the detailing guy at my Canadian dealership, and he said he used the tire shine stuff - yikes, not sure about that! (BTW, they washed my car after a recent service, but didn't do the trim - maybe too much of a pain for them, SIGH.)

Might try the Meguiar's stuff as it seems specifically made for it, and it's a good brand.

Still a pain though...

...and dust seems to be super-attracted to freshly-treated and static-y panels.

When I washed 'Flamenco Red' and dried it, I only have to go out for a short distance and by the time I get back the 'vortex' created by the rear causes all the 'crap' (Dust) to get on the rear bumper and side panels and off we go again with another cleaning exercise,

so I gave up and wash it now when it all looks dirty!

Less stress, and cheaper!