Bumper Cover Maintenance

I just replaced the bumper on my 04 and it came with a new black step cover as well. My question re: this material.... has anyone found a way to keep it new looking? I have tried Back to Black and I think three other products that profess to keep the plastic looking good but that did not happen. I have hard water where I live but I always dry the truck after washing. Would be nice to start off with a sealer or something else to keep it from graying. Any thoughts or success on this issue?

 

You're fighting the sun's UV rays. Need something with a UV protector, similar to sunscreen for us. Maybe a wax that's rated for plastics with UV inhibitors. I'm sure there is something out there, although you may not like the $$.

 

I have friends with boats that swear by this stuff:

https://www.303products.com.au/product-range/marine/303-marine-protectant

 

Here's a better link for US; https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/303-products/

 

Interesting product. Had not heard of it before now but will try it. Nothing else has worked that the auto supply stores sell. I peeled off the old faded piece before recycling the bumper so that I could experiment with it. That piece may be too far gone to test on the exposed side but maybe the under side can be used to apply the product and let it sit in the sun to test how it holds up.

 

303 Aerospace Protectant has been around a long time and has a solid reputation....NOT at all sure about there other products.

 

303 is great (dashboard), but Texas sun is a directed energy weapon.

https://www.krylon.com/en/products/all-purpose-spray-paint/fusion-all-in-one

Mask & spray at some point.

.

 

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/AH-CTRKIT/cerakote-trim-coat-kit

I did all of my black plastic trim with this. Made the old stuff look new, durable too, doesn't wash off after a couple of washings. My tow mirror were nearly new and they look nice and are staying that way. Mask off everything you don't want it on.

Charles

#ad


#ad

 

How much of the product did you use? As in packets...to do the bumper and lower air dam.

 

I used the Cerakote as well and it is great!

 

I did the front , as you see, the mirrors, which were practically new, and the rear bumper, As I said, take time to mask edges, I used coke 12 and 24 pack can boxes cut up to protect areas such as the tailgate, etc. I never did do the cowl in front of the windshield.

Found my Amazon order, it was a 10 pack, amazon.com/gp/product/B07SHJVK4G?th=1 I just went out and looked, the box still has 3 packets in it (probably bad after this long) I also did the trailer light connector door, and edges, backup lights (except lenses) the fog light trim in the front bumper (also real new, so just a protective coating).

<$17 now

Buy some nitrile gloves to do this with.
Charles

 

Ok, I ordered some. My first priority is to do the trim on the truck. If it works well, and I have enough left over, then I will work on my Wrangler. Fingers crossed.

 

Best thing you can do on the dash is keep a dash cover on it. Mine came with the basic molded, carpet like one with serged edges and holes and the dash under it looks great. Hmmm. on sale right now, good price, so I ordered the SuedeMat version in beige.

https://www.covercraft.com/product/suedemat-custom-dash-cover/DMS

Charles