Blackening Bumpers?

[The_Hawk]

Following on from here: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ead.php?t=7215

I was hoping a bit more of a general input might be found here rather than in the MK2 threads...

Kiwi shoe polish. I did all the trim on my car late last year and it still looks great.

I have used Armour all in the past (on other cars) and a couple of times on the VR6, but I find it wears off REALLY quickly.


Any further comments on this Kiwi black liquid polish? I like this idea since it's relatively quick and easy. Also as I understand it may just permeate the plastic a bit helping with the blackening?


Is there anything else, like vinyl die, that will give a nice black finish?

[anarchycamp]

I mentioned using Autoglymn bumper care in the Mk2 thread, however I have noticed with all the rain we have had lately it leaves streaks where the water has dripped down, I would be keen to try something else, might try it out first on a spare plastic arch I have lying around.

[peedman]

This is for the textured parts of ur vr6 correct? You can always repaint it with some flat black paint or bumper paint in a can. Just mask it up like louis says in the link and spray away a few coats. Dries in like 5 mins and u can leave the bumper on and do it Ive just done it to my rear bumper and it looks fab.

I also use Meguirs Trim Detailer and it generally lasts a week or two and makes the textured parts really shiny (until it rains or car gets dirty).

[rayray086]

I don't know about the Kiwi product, but don't go past Autoglym Bumper Black. I've used a various products before and found that Bumper Black has been the best. You apply it the same way as you apply Armor-All, except this lasts MUCH longer. Given that it doesn't rain, it usually keeps up the appearance even until your next wash (well, I wash every 2-3 weeks).

Photos for reference (and because I like whoring out my car ):

[Peter Jones]

Scuff Stuff from Coles! (The shoe polish!) Sponge applicator works well and it lasts for months. The version for kids school shoes works really well and it's only a few dollars a bottle! Looks good on tyres too!

Ghetto detailing supplies 'R' us!


Pete

[86gti]

WD40, good coat,wipeoff then Kiwi shoe polish....
then leave for cupla days then use some "strawberry polish"
dunno where you get it tho sory..
its like fill and glaze stuff you use after polishing.

[jonesyGT]

Dont know if you can get this any more but a long time ago blah blah blah

Bike Shine

Used o keep bumpers etc black for a couple of months
Havent looked for it lately, but was available from Motorcycle shops

[BlackVr6ix]

+1 for autogylm Bumper Black.

I find the bumper care makes the plastics more grey than black, and the bumper black is a beautiful deep black.

I'll get a shot of mine tonight and show you, i did the bumpers with the bumper black and the wing/spolier with bumper care. you'll see the difference.

[The_Hawk]

Very interested in seeing those pictures showing the difference between the two products...

[antinora]

meguairs bumper care.... havnt redone them for nearly a month .. they are much better than amor all

[Giles]

Hey mate,theres a product called texture coat
it pretty much is the best possible thing to use
to get that texture black plastic finish.
You can get it from protec,alas you need to spray it in a gun.!

[rayray086]

Whereabouts is Protec?

[Gigitt]

You could also paint them again with VHT Vinyl Paint... comes in a rattle can from SuperCheap/Repco/AutoOne etc.

http://www.speco.com.au/vht_vinyl.html

This WILL penetrate into the plastic.
I have have used it on PVC Pipe - and was thinking about doing my lower bumpers and rear wing on the Mk3 with it also. Test it first as I don't know about ABS Plastic.

[The_Hawk]

You could also paint them again with VHT Vinyl Paint... comes in a rattle can from SuperCheap/Repco/AutoOne etc.

http://www.speco.com.au/vht_vinyl.html

This WILL penetrate into the plastic.
I have have used it on PVC Pipe - and was thinking about doing my lower bumpers and rear wing on the Mk3 with it also. Test it first as I don't know about ABS Plastic.

Interesting looking prodcut... so who wants to give it a bash and let us all know how it goes?

[rayray086]

Interesting looking prodcut... so who wants to give it a bash and let us all know how it goes?

I on the other hand used satin black spray paint once before. To keep the flat look, you can't use clearcoat, so after a few washes it started fading. I've tried the Vinyl/Interior dye in a can before by VHT, and it comes out good, but if not prepped properly and applied in the right conditions, it can scratch off.