FB works best on texured surfaces... but I've had good results on the rear window trim also! The trick is in the prep (like everything else in finish work) You've got to clean it really good then take your time and do several coats, Seems to even out better for me when I do the additional coats while the previous coats are still tacky. This is a good product even though it isn't "forever". Lasts about 12-15 months for me. Renewal is always easier than the very first time.

Bill

 

I bought this product a few weeks ago but have been hesitant to try it. I thought is was similar to Armorall but after reading the directions, I got a little nervous. As far as prep is concerned, the package I bought had a cleaner that you're supposed to use prior to application. This cleaner is supposed to get rid of all the dirt, oil, etc. and allow FB to stick better. Have you guys seen this cleaner and did you guys use it?

 

Bring this post back from the dead. I tried two coats but didn't wait for the first coat to dry. It came out looking like a$$.

I'm not an armor-all kind of person so for the most part, I rarely put any treatment on my black plastic pieces. Over time, this has made them look really bad.

Any suggestions? Try another couple of coats or just go to another product. I actually tried applying Forever Black to my rear bumper area like Jason B's pic above but it came out blotchy and uneven. The worst part is that it dried like this so not only is it ashy-looking but not it's also uneven... :pat:

 

I use super gloss armor all. but its one of those things you have to stick to or else if you dont keep using it, the black gets dull.
superbling!

 

i just buy bumper paint at pepboys and add a few coats...takes some time to do, making or removing all panels. but looks like new for a long time.a valace on my old truck still black its been 2 years since i did it

 

I remember reading this thread a really long time ago but didn't find it when i recently searched. I did find a Mother's "Back To Black"' thread and my 96 SR5 was in dire need of something to fix ALL the faded trim, especially the fenders...

I ended up buying "back to black" and was very impressed with the results. I applied 2-3 coats and ALL my trim looked like new again with no uneven color. I was very pleased at first but less than 3 weeks later all my trim looks ultra faded again...almost worse than before!

I think all these "black" products are nothing but repackaged interior treatments like Armor-All.

Different results for different folks. Why? Cause some are using it on 20 year old plastic and some are using it on 5 year old plastic. Of coarse its going to look like mint condtion on a 2000ish+ but on a '85 or my '96 it's just not going to do the trick. IMO older vehicles need something more than just a quick fix. And it seems like FB or B2B isn't the answer.

I'm now ready to try another product that will probably end up being another disapointment... Vinylex? Super Gloss Armor-All? Heck, maybe even spray paint?

 

I remember reading this thread a really long time ago but didn't find it when i recently searched. I did find a Mother's "Back To Black"' thread and my 96 SR5 was in dire need of something to fix ALL the faded trim, especially the fenders...

I ended up buying "back to black" and was very impressed with the results. I applied 2-3 coats and ALL my trim looked like new again with no uneven color. I was very pleased at first but less than 3 weeks later all my trim looks ultra faded again...almost worse than before!

I think all these "black" products are nothing but repackaged interior treatments like Armor-All.

Different results for different folks. Why? Cause some are using it on 20 year old plastic and some are using it on 5 year old plastic. Of coarse its going to look like mint condtion on a 2000ish+ but on a '85 or my '96 it's just not going to do the trick. IMO older vehicles need something more than just a quick fix. And it seems like FB or B2B isn't the answer.

I'm now ready to try another product that will probably end up being another disapointment... Vinylex? Super Gloss Armor-All?

 

Vinylex is the best stuff out there IMO for restoring vinyl and plastic to a nice, clean, bright, non greasy like a pig (armor all) shine.

 

I use vinylex on all the trim, even my tires. Works great.

 

I'm still a Mother's B2B user and definetly recommend it for those with the pre '00 and non-Limited black plastic flares.

 

Well i picked up a $9 bottle of Vinylex at Pepboys and all i have to say is that stuff is much better than Mother's B2B. It's easier to apply and the results were nothing short of amazing. I liked it so much that i got carried away and started using it on every single peice of black rubber/plastic that i could find. It's been about 2 weeks now and my exterior trim is still holding it's black color.
Super great product that i'll never stop using.

p.s. I have half a bottle of B2B that anyone can have for free.

 

Told ya so.

 

Nice bump!

+1 to Mother's Back to Black. Been using it for a while now. One application lasts me about two washes before I reapply. (~< 1 month)

 

Interesting this popped up again. I was at my local friendly detail shop and asking him about the black plastic pieces. He recommended anything that wasn't water-based like Armor-all. He feels that water-based products dry up soon after application and tend to dry the plastic as well. Anything vinyl based "sticks" to the plastic and also protects it.

He applied what he had on one of my ashy-looking fender flares a month ago and it's still black after one or two washes. I will definitely try Vinylex...

 

The best stuff to use is VINYLEX by Lexol. It's better than 303 since it has 60 SPF protection against fading. It gives a nice matte finish without going overboard and greasy!





They also have a new wipes version.

 

Is there an echo on this thread?

 

Yes, there is an echo. I'll be the first to say Waskillywabbit was spot on.

 

Why yes there is Mr. Wabbit.
Silly wabbit, Trix are for kids!

I may have to pick some up.
I finally got my rig to a coin op after work yesterday to wash off the multiple layers of dirt, sand, and ice melt solution from our ice and snow storm we had over the past few weeks.

Even after scrubbing the rig with the places soap/brush, the rig is still dirty.

What I do notice though is the nice new paint of the rig, nice shiny ARB bumper, and this ugly Warn solenoid box for the winch.

It has been exposed over the years since 2002 to the sun, and looks like crap on everything else that is new.

Sprayed some tire foam cleaner on it before it got dark yesternight, and it helped a bit.

Think I am going to try the polish first since I have tons of Griot's polish on hand, then put on the Vinylex if I can find some.
Just called Schucks Auto, and they only carry Back To Black, and Forever Black.

 

I purchased forever black and for the 10 bucks or so it worked great..but
and there's always a but....
I think the downfall of that product is in the feeble shoe polish type applicator. How can you cover a fenderflare with that little square tip while maintaining even coats and pressure. Impossible. So I cheated.......

I also bought the larger TIRE BLACK FOREVER GEL bottle and figured "why not use this on the trim and use one of those tire applicators to do it. Eureka!
Smooth application coats and all the plastic looks great.
I even did the dark gray plastic bumper tray in the back with success .
I also did the running boards.
IMO and from forum chatter..........black plastic goes south from car waxes
being rubbed near the paint and from cheap products like armor all.
Armor all actually starts fading the plastic white.
From what I hear...Armor all is evil!

So I would recommend the Forever Black tire gel Or pull the tip off the forvever black liquid and put it in a better container where you can soak a tire applicator and apply it in larger overlapping sweeps.
I mask everything off then apply because that stuff dries fast in the summer especially ln low humidity states like AZ.
So after masking.....you just whip around the truck with a well soaked applicator and your done. 2 coats maybe and your next touch up should be one coat.

From what I see on my rig.......once a year should do the trick.
Kenny S>

 

I bought some FB back when this thread first started for some trim on my BMW and it worked great for me. I did follow the directions closely and used the pre-cleaning stuff and it took multiple coats. You do have to work a little to avoid streaking (kind of like painting where you want to avoid brush marks). Been over a year now and still looks great.