Front Bumper Fading?

[Justin]

It seems that the front bumpers on these cars are prone to fading, is there anything that can restore this? I've tried "Back To Black" but it only lasted about a week.

Jus

[MJ]

The problem is, we get too much sun in the West country

There are various products about, some spray on, some wipe on. I've also heard that Kiwi shoe die does a good job, but I've not tried it

Personally I use a 'Vinyl Gel Bumper & Trim Conditioner' from Black Diamond http://www.bdsw.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=86

You can order online, or they often have a stand at local car shows. It's good stuff, although the 340's bumpers weren't too bad to start with. The first time I used it, I found that it needed a second coat a week or so later, but then that seemed to last for a fair while.

That's a before and after (middle bit treated, top bit not treated)


Also you mention that the front bumper is worse - this can be due to where/how the car is parked, if the front bumper is in the sun for much longer than the back

[Bazboy]

I have used boot polish (the liquid kind, kiwi like mj said) on my back bumper just one coat and the difference was amazing, must go out and do another some time. It goes on easy and lasts for ages, plus its cheap lol.

Dan.

[kaos]

christ. ive been tempted to just get mine sprayed!

last tiem i used back to black was ona 205 bumper than had gone grey brought it up a treat for the month i sold it

[dalahare]

I bought a $3 can of spray paint and hit my bumper with that after cleaning it, seemed to last about 6 months at a time before needing another spray.

[petefarrell360]

One of the things to remember is the bumpers were never black to start with, they were grey, but they can be prone to fading badly. I've never been impressed by any of the commonly found back to blacks or things like that, the best thing I've found is a black bumper wax, but it's never going to last that long. I have been told of a trick to try, which I will see how it turns out when I get time and if it works I'll pass on the info!

All the restoring and back to black products seem to look good for five minutes then need to be used quite often to keep it looking good. I think some even damage the plastic and make it more susceptible to fading quicker, requiring more of their product to be used....equalling more money for them!

Pete

[340GLT]

Use autoglym bupper care, its a green gel that soaks in, it outlasts anything i have tried, thats what i use on mine, although my bumpers are all black, not grey black.
Adam

[Fuse]

Heat gun works for most black plastics. When you warm up the plastic the oils in plastic come back to surface so the original color comes back.. It's a tricky job to get right though you can easily warm it too much and melt the bumper but it's the best method what comes to longevity. (Well minus the painting)

After heating if the original color comes back it's good to put on some plastic care stuff.

[jtbo]

Heatgun might work, if one would have enough large nozzle in it, I managed to do only stripes to my bumpers

Either I spray them to body colour or then try shoestuff, I believe there is some less than black ones available for gray shoes

[Justin]

Thanks everyone, I'll try the liquid Kiwi boot polish first I think.

Jus

[MJ]

I've heard the best results are with shoe dye not polish, as the dye is much longer lasting, intended to stay on shoes for a long time as opposed to polish, which you'd put on your shoes every day, or week, or whatever depending on how good you want them to look

I've only ever seen polish in general shops though, so you may need to go to a shoe shop for it...

[jtbo]

I've only ever seen polish in general shops though, so you may need to go to a shoe shop for it...

Could be so, I have also seen only polish, haven't got idea of dye really before now

I tend to care bumpers more than my shoes

[Disgusted]

I've always used Turtlewax tyre shine which is a mission to work it in the first time but easy after that and lasts a couple of months. Do the mirrors, grille, tyres, rubbing strips, spoiler and heater inlet on the bonnet and everything else black for maximum effect. See here for before and after pics.