The side plastic trim and running boards on my 4Runner were originally black, but now they're all faded gray and look bad.

Could I get away with just hitting it with a coat or two of Krylon Plastic Spray Paint? Or should I use a little more dough and get a specifically automotive plastic spray paint, like from Duplicolor?

I'd really like to find a cheap, works-on-plastic spray paint with some texture to it.

 

dont use that krylon junk. Get real actual automotive spray paint. Otherwise it will just chip off and look terrible.

You will need to scuff the surface, then spray an adhesive promotor, then the black cover spray.

 

Duplicolor plastic DYE! Easy to use and it dyes the plastic instead of just covering it.

 

Older plastic is very hard to get even good paint to adhere but even I might be interested in looking into the dyes for my fender flares.

 

I used Krylon plastic primer and Krylon semi-metallic black on my grill, headlight, and corner light surrounds.
The only issues I have had are a couple of rock chips....thats it and its to be expected considering its my daily driver.
It went on easy, I only did minor scuffing over the original chrome finish.
I have been running it for about 10 months through dirt, mud, snow, ice, rain, road salt, and woody trails.
I am EXTREMELY pleased with the results and how it has held up to all kinds of abuse on probably the worse place possible......front end gets hit by all the crap first.
I am sure that interior parts are different material but considering how much I spent in the past on "specialty" dyes and paints that still had flaws and chips on some of my Pontiacs I would definitely recommend trying the Krylon first.
Be sure to clean your parts thoroughly.....
Scuff the parts with light sand paper.....
Wipe them with a clean rag.....
Spray light coats of plastic primer.....
and then
Spray light coats of desired color....
You should be good to go!

I am going to do this with a 4Runner console that I'm modifying for my pickup.

P.S. if you search for 89-95 grill pics thread there is a picture of my grill

 

I'm with Yodaforce, Duplicolour is the way to go. i recommend them for most Automotive paint applications.

 

I've used the Dupli-colour vinyl and plastic dye/paint stuff on my interior and so far I'm very happy with it. ... relatively scratch resistant and covers better then any rattle can I've ever worked with... just be sure to shake it very well for like 3 mins min. before you start and frequently while you are painting. The surface must be very clean and free of residues including finger oil for best results I've found.

 

Wow thanks for all the replies I'll have to go with the Duplicolor dye/paint

 

Another cheap option is to just use some FOREVER BLACK. I used it on my fenders, running boards and bumpers. They were originally black but got way faded gray. All it does is bring out the previous color. Costs 9 bucks and lasts a long time. All you do is rub it on with a rag. Comes out great. Looks perfectly black lol

 

I have used something like that from 3M and it works great.

 

There is another one called "Back to Black" made by Mother's and available at most auto parts stores in the car wash section.

 

I just painted the grill on my 94 pickup and I went with the Krylon Fusion black plastic paint and it looks awesome it says no priming or sanding needed it bonds with the plastic I sanded it anyway and cleaned it with acetone and 3 coats later it looks amazing it even has a nice gloss to it just my .02

 

The Krylon Fusion works well but, if you get the Krylon Plastic Primer it opens up pretty much unlimited colors to you.....the Fusion only comes in a limited amount of colors......if you use the Plastic Primer you can use ANY color paint you can find on top of it.
Either way it just comes down to whether they have the color you want in the Fusion line-up.....if not you just have to add a step and use the Plastic Primer.

If you want to spend a ton of money one time I used a special Plastic Bonder spray paint that I got from a body shop supply company.......it was in cans slightly smaller than your average spray can and cost a little over $15 a can.
I used it on some interior parts from a '70 GTO convertible so it was worth it to me and supposedly some older interior parts actually break-down and deteriorate and thats why they look "chalky" which that stuff was supposed to counter-act.
I did see the car about a year after I sold it and it did have some scratches and chips where it was painted....not sure if that was the new owners fault or the paint or my not prepping it correctly.

Also, supposedly some cars that were made with very cheap plastic (chrysler) give off noxious fumes and that can effect the paint process.

You may want to talk to a local body shop, detail shop, and/or restoration shop.

 

x2 for back-to-black or Krylon Fusion.

You need a dye, not paint.

 

I used the black krylon to paint my gold emblems and Iam painting my 2002 grill with it.