Restoration of black bumpers on T5

[Sunny43.5]

There is a product called Turtle Trim Restorer its not black but it does put the colour back into the bars lasts for 3 months and covers all colours sort of a clear coat https://www.turtlewax.com/shop/produ...-trim-restorer

[LogicprObe]

I did use a product called Back To Black on an old Barina I was selling.
It worked pretty well at covering up really worn and stained plastic bumpers.
I don't know how long it lasted because I sold it a few weeks later.

[Sunny43.5]

Back to Black is good for the T4 bumpers as they are black , the Turtle one is a clear coat so it makes the T5 bumpers look normal grey again .

[aSimpleLife]

OK I'm off to buy the Turtle Wax Trim Restorer right now - I have a supercheap voucher that expires tomorrow so I'll get it for free

If this doesn't repair the damage I'll try the Autoglym and the Autosol next.

I'd love to try the Mix 50/50 linseed oil and turps...but the turps part worries me a bit...I might leave that one till I am really really poor.

The OP's pic looks very similar to mine, so even if the title of the thread is black, it looks like it's the same grey we are talking about. On top of the general fading, mine also looked like it had been stained in several areas. I thought it unusual that it all started happening around a certain time. My theory is, because I was careless and did not look after my bumpers (in my defence I had only previously had chrome and then painted ones, and didn't realise what could happen) that at a certain stage of neglect they became porous. I have noticed my mechanic is not the most clean and tidy with my vehicle generally. So I think that the stains have come from where fluids have been spilled or dripped during servicing, and even though they got wiped off, because I had not been maintaining the bumpers surface, the damage was already done and became more obvious over time, as they seemed to come from nowhere. Anyway, that's my theory until it gets discredited

[aSimpleLife]

...Now we used Turtle Trim Restorer on our older T5's and it works a treat...

Thanks again for your excellent advice. This product has given a great result on my badly faded/stained grey bumpers. After trying the products I already had I was disappointed and not confident I would get an improvement. Still not game to try the "50/50 linseed oil and turps" though

[LogicprObe]

I use the 50/50 mix on my Volvo C30.
Coupla times a year............comes up a treat!
(They are black though..........I'll try it on the T5 when it comes out of the panel shop)

[aSimpleLife]

As mentioned by Sunny43.5 - the Turtle Trim Restorer doesn't last that long - I didn't get 3 months - probably less than 2 months.
It looked good but it's not much time for the effort.

The stains on the bumper have gotten worse too - now it's apparent they are hand prints - so either the auto elect or the previous mechanic
No point asking them what it was.
So I gave them a going over for about 30 minutes with paint thinner - seemed to reduce the stains - and I wanted to get the bumpers completely clean before the next try.

So have just used Autosol plastic cleaner as also recommended here - doesn't look as nice and shiny as the Turtle Trim Restorer.
I'll see how long it lasts.

[Rebuild]

ooops, forgot about this thread
Painted front bumper with Pot Belly Black.
Rear, as a test, was done late 2014, still ok, could probably do with a refresh, but didn't bother.
Below is half painted, half as is

[blackwood]

used this in Anthracite on mine 2 years ago and it still looks awesome its pricey but its Wurth it.

https://eshop.wurth.com.au/Product-categories/Plast-PT-plastic-paint/31023007020701.cyid/3102.cgid/en/US/AUD/

On my T4 i used "Forever Black" but i cant find it for sale in average auto shops anymore. that stuff was great too. it was a dye and it worked great on the cab floor plastic too.
Forever Black Car Care Bumper & Trim Reconditioner 118ml - Polish Up Store

[aSimpleLife]

Still plenty of products to try
I think if the Autosol doesn't last long enough I might just try the linseed oil and turps 50/50.
I take it there is no going back from that black option?
Am also thinking about just getting the front and back bumpers painted white to match the van?

[aSimpleLife]

Well the autosol is showing signs of wear after only 1 week and a bit of rain (not garaged).
I must have left the bumpers go too long without any conditioning - slack - looks a bit like my last cars japanese red paint - looked great after a cut and polish but was already oxidising again after a couple of months.
I'll try another coat of autosol to finish it off - then maybe use up the turtle - then i'll give the linseed and turps a go - why not.
Seems like one of the black paints is gunna be the go...at least it should match the new black bra I've ordered...to hide the damage to the bonnet paint work.
When all else fails I assume I can still get the bumpers painted white...although matching the rest of the 7 year old paint will probably be a problem.

[LogicprObe]

Never thought of that............looks pretty good!

ooops, forgot about this thread
Painted front bumper with Pot Belly Black.
Rear, as a test, was done late 2014, still ok, could probably do with a refresh, but didn't bother.
Below is half painted, half as is

[ATTACH]29367[/ATTACH]

[aSimpleLife]

I had let my bumpers go quite badly instead of looking after them.
I tried the Turtle Trim Restorer and found it didn't last long.
I then tried the Autosol and found it didn't last long either - and I applied it twice.

A few months ago I decided to use up the last of the Turtle Trim Restorer - and this time it's doing really well.
Maybe I just needed to get it established first.
I'll keep going with the Turtle Trim Restorer now.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes maybe once you have a foundation of the product a second application would last longer .

[aSimpleLife]

Thankyou yet again for the advice