[2wheelmax]

What's the best way to restore the vinyl trim on a 2012 Santa Fe? Heat gun, dye, paint or something else?

 

[jdmeridith]

I know this is an old thread, but this is something we all fight. Well, at least the obsessive compulsive members who loathe a dirty ride:nerd.

There are a couple of products that work well for restoring black trim. The main issue is cleaning it really. I am fanatical when it comes to cleaning my cars. I clay bar once a year, paste wax every 6 months, and spray wax after each wash. My car wash solutions will not clean the plastic! Ever! Our brand new car with 210 miles was turning grey after one week in snow. No matter what I do, if it is not cleaned properly, it won't last. I prefer a ragtop cleaner that is for convertible tops. It removes almost anything, including the residue left by paste waxes, without being harmful to your clear coat. The same company makes a protectant that brings back the luster and is like a wax for plastic. It causes water to bead and roll off rather than soak in. Wipe new is also very effective for a more long lasting solution. It is expensive but it does actually work. Be careful, it can damage clear coats.

After it is all said and done, the key is not to allow it to get to bad before cleaning/restoring.

 

[jdmeridith]

Cleaner/protectant link:

Amazon.com: Raggtopp Convertible Top Care Kit - Vinyl: Automotive

 

[Ktownbobski]

Cleaner/protectant link:

Amazon.com: Raggtopp Convertible Top Care Kit - Vinyl: Automotive

I'm looking for a good solution to 'keeping' all the black cladding black and clean looking and this certainly looks like a great complete solution. For years the traditional vinyl care solution has been Armourall. Just wondering how this product compares or why it would be better?

 

[haughty]

if it is not cleaned properly, it won't last. I prefer a ragtop cleaner that is for convertible tops. It removes almost anything, including the residue left by paste waxes, without being harmful to your clear coat. The same company makes a protectant that brings back the luster and is like a wax for plastic. It causes water to bead and roll off rather than soak in. Wipe new is also very effective for a more long lasting solution. It is expensive but it does actually work. Be careful, it can damage clear coats.

After it is all said and done, the key is not to allow it to get to bad before cleaning/restoring.

So the cleaner is tops? Check.
but the protectant is bad for clear coat?
Ok, I am paranoid... what is the best way to apply and NOT jeopardize the clear coat?

Thanks

Mikey

 

[Ktownbobski]

So the cleaner is tops? Check.
but the protectant is bad for clear coat?
Ok, I am paranoid... what is the best way to apply and NOT jeopardize the clear coat?

Thanks

Mikey

I read thos as Raggtopp cleaner, and protectant, are one product line, and Wipe New a completely different product that could also be used for more long lasting results? Clarification jdmeridith please.

 

[jdmeridith]

I read thos as Raggtopp cleaner, and protectant, are one product line, and Wipe New a completely different product that could also be used for more long lasting results? Clarification jdmeridith please.

Bob is correct. Wipe new is great! I love it and use it regularly. I also come from a line of professional auto body techs and custom painters. Like all products it has pros and cons. If you are uncomfortable with the notion that Wipe New can, not will, damage the clear coat, then do not use it. That is where the Rag Top protectant is a great tool, albeit not as long lasting.

 

[jdmeridith]

I'm looking for a good solution to 'keeping' all the black cladding black and clean looking and this certainly looks like a great complete solution. For years the traditional vinyl care solution has been Armourall. Just wondering how this product compares or why it would be better?

I used armor all for years on trim and tires, it was a good product with two big drawbacks.

First, it is very oily. as such it would attract a lot of dust and dirt which quickly defeats the purpose of a very clean car.

Second, tires would sling the oily residue onto the painted surfaces and leave oily spots that were a pain to clean when I washed the car again.

In addition, it is a one and done solution. The next time the car got wet it looked just as bad as it ever did.

The rag top products I mentioned are superior in all of those areas as well as providing a protection for the plastic parts from water similar to wax on painted surfaces. The cleaner does what armor all can not, cleans the surface.

 

[Ktownbobski]

I used armor all for years on trim and tires, it was a good product with two big drawbacks.

First, it is very oily. as such it would attract a lot of dust and dirt which quickly defeats the purpose of a very clean car.

Second, tires would sling the oily residue onto the painted surfaces and leave oily spots that were a pain to clean when I washed the car again.

In addition, it is a one and done solution. The next time the car got wet it looked just as bad as it ever did.

The rag top products I mentioned are superior in all of those areas as well as providing a protection for the plastic parts from water similar to wax on painted surfaces. The cleaner does what armor all can not, cleans the surface.

Perfect, that answeres it for me. BTW, what do you use on tires now?

 

[jdmeridith]

Perfect, that answeres it for me. BTW, what do you use on tires now?

Armor all makes a product now that lasts much longer and I like it. The wipe new product is ok but difficult to apply on aggressive tread tires like those on my F150. Armor all is nice as it sprays on. one down side to this however is that you don't want to get it on your wheels. it is a royal pain to get off of the wheels or the paint on the car so watch out on windy days also. I used a thick piece of cardboard and cut a 20" circle and use a screw for a "handle" to hold it as a shield when I spray the armor all on. Looks great and dry in seconds to the touch.

Amazon.com: Armor All 17417 Outlast Tire Glaze - 8 oz.: Automotive

 

[Ricochet]

2014 Santa Fe Fading Trim

We have had our 2014 (December) Santa Fe from new and at 4 months old the car trims had faded pretty badly. We took it to the dealer (Walker Hyundai, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland) who cleaned them. This lasted around another 4 months the same fading returned in the same areas. Cleaned another time by the dealer and advised if the trim still faded then they would apply to Hyundai to replace. after a short while the fading returned in same areas. At 1.5 years old and having covered 11,000 miles a claim sent in to Huyndai by dealer. Hyundai Warranty and Hyundai Customer Service both refused to replace stating that the fading was caused by external factors of which they declined to elaborate. The only cause, in my opinion, could be wax from polish or environmental. If the cause was wax then it had not been polished on these trims by me and we have owned the car since new. If it was caused by the environment then the trims are not suitable for a road vehicle.
I have now been advised by trading standards to formally request the trims are changed and if refusal is given again, then they need to explain why and the causes.
We had also witnessed, with the dealer outside their premises, a brand new hyndai with faded black trims. This car had not even been driven on a road. This was also advised to Hyundai.
I suggest that all owners with 2014 or newer Santa Fe suffering from fading trim apply for warranty replacement of these trims, as i believe they have fitted trims which are not fit for the purpose they were intended. My number is 07944 298086 if you wish to discuss.

 

[edzride]

Try some "Back to Black" put out by Mothers.