This year I set out to find a wheel fender trim treatment product that would restore my horrible-looking trim to its original look while standing up to rain and washings. If you’ve read the first and second tests, you would know that the many, many products out there for the purpose wash away with a day or two of rain. Like many of my preferred detailing products like Zaino and Aquapel, I want something that will last through our New England weather and doesn’t require application every week or two. After many tries, I finally found it.
The final test mixes some old products with some new: Zaino Z16 and 303 Protectant were previous favorites. Mothers Back to Black I wanted to give a second chance as I continued to read recommendations. Forever Black, which thinks differently and is actually a black dye treatment. I added extra virgin olive oil next to the usual Peanut oil as some said it would be less dusty and oily.
Soon after I started the test, I was “blessed” with two days of medium to light rain, and as before, the vinyl treatments were gone:
Though I don’t have a photo, the Z16 took two days to wash off while the other two were gone in the first day. The forever black was undaunted and the oils were dusty and dirty but going strong. Another week passed with a little more rain, and I washed the car. And then there was one:
Forever Black. It comes as a kit with a cleaning solution, and the dye has an applicator built into the bottle. Easy to apply, however you will want to use painter’s tape to prevent any from getting on your paint (it can be wiped off with water before it dries, but why chance it), as I have done with all these tests. Actually, I had basically given up after failing so many products, and forever black was my last chance. I tested it on another spot well over a month before I started this test, and that spot is still black to this day. I’m so happy to have good-looking trim again!
Below is a list of all the products reviewed in my trim tests and my findings:
Forever Black
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – very slightly less dusty than peanut oil
Peanut Oil – household oils last a few days of rain but are messy and attract dirt
Zaino Z16 Perfect Tire Gloss – Lasted through a day of rain but not two
The remaining products washed away in a day of rain or less:
Mothers Back to Black
Black Again
Sonus Tire & Bumper Dressing Gel
Sonus Trim & Motor Kote
Vinylex
Aerospace 303 Protectant
Armor-All Protectant
AutoGlym Bumper Care
Poorboy’s Trim Restorer
Before application, I suggest taping off with 3M Scotch-Blue Painter’s Tape, and scrubbing the trim clean with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
