Exterior plastics - what am I doing wrong

[DadBald]

Put some Chemical Guys VRP on my exterior plastics. Looked good. Next day it was streaking. Buffed it down, looked good again. Next day it was streaking again, buffed it again. Came out the next morning and it's definitely the dew (truck is stored outside) running down and taking the product with it.

So I wiped it off with some cleaner, put on some 303 protectant, looked great. Next day, streaking was way worse! WTF. I'm sick of buffing it off every day and it looks horrible. What am I doing wrong?

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[NotMyName]

To be blunt, youre buying YouTuber products for your truck that are far from high quality (Walmart at best), and ridiculously overpriced. They have a great marketing machine; however, their product can’t even come close to competing with the similarly priced products. They want to sell chemicals. Chemicals that aren’t needed. Chemicals that can cause short and long term damage. Sometimes less is more.

 

[flatag]

Looks like you are using too much.

 

[DadBald]

To be blunt, youre buying YouTuber products for your truck that are far from high quality (Walmart at best), and ridiculously overpriced. They have a great marketing machine; however, their product can’t even come close to competing with the similarly priced products. They want to sell chemicals. Chemicals that aren’t needed. Chemicals that can cause short and long term damage. Sometimes less is more.

So.... What do you recommend I use? Or are you saying don't use anything? My vehicles live outside and the plastics take a UV beating. I'd like something to help with that. They are already turning light gray from the sun - especially the window sills and rear bumper.

Looks like you are using too much.

I thought this too, but I've buffed the crap out of it at this point. And the 303 just evaporates off, unless there was still some VRP left under it or something. These plastics are dry as a bone.

 

[BMCGC]

I use Cerakote on my Wrangler oem plastic steps.

Works like a charm. I recoat once a year.

 

[gpz1100z1]

I used turtle wax plastic restore on my 2022, It's been almost a year and still looks good. Wear gloves.

 

[Graygoose2021]

I use Chemical Guys, even my detailer uses their interior detailer.
Ive used Griots, Adams, Mothers, etc and almost all I use now is Chemical Guys.

 

[powerboatr]

How is the air pollution around you?
Air contamination will cause all kinds of issues
And getting them off to start with is also key, dawn dish soap and rinse, vinegar etc.
Then use a quality product.
Imo chemical guys are just copy cats on many products you can buy at lowes much cheaper.
I have used purple tire gell, 303, mothers plastic vinyl stuff etc.
Dew, combined with the crap in the air and on the trim always plays heck with streaks
I did use cerakote on 2 sets of headlights
Worked perfect .and lasted right up to a year.
Never tried it on plastics,
But the purple tire gell seems to holdup the longest, put it on, let it sit. Buff it off.
It will lol. Cause streaks on paint if not buffed really well.

 

[DadBald]

Interesting considerations, thanks @powerboatr . I have never paid much thought to air pollution around here - typical suburbia. Probably some but we don't have heavy industry nearby. Worst is probably pollen.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

Looks like the product is just running off with humidity in the morning ... just a bad product I would guess.

 

[Eskram]

I use this for most of the exterior plastics - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BKB2SJG8 It's a thick gel that goes on easily and seems to stay there.

It holds up well in FL sun - my truck unfortunately has to live outdoors..

I actually used this stuff to restore an aluminum outdoor gazebo; it brought the original color back and has held up for several months since.

 

[HammaMan]

Also keep in mind if you're trying multiple products you can have residual product remaining screwing with new applications and some products can be real boogers to get off. I still have lingering effects from a tire shine from 6 months ago.

 

[VRFlyer]

I only use 303 Interior plastic UV protectant and Chemical Guys VRP on the tires.

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

VRP is beyond dogshit. Cerakote is the only one Ive ever used that works. No joke, it still is black and slightly shiny after over a year. Its really good stuff, but dont get it on the paint.

 

[zx6roclet]

Maxima sc1 and done. Don’t waste your time on anything else. Spray on, let it sit a min buff off.
Been using it on my on and oof road vehicles and sport bikes for a decade. There’s nothing better period.

and I’ve tried all of the above mentioned brands

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