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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Restoring black bumper plastic finish?
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      07-04-2018, 07:10 PM   #1
bimbimsalabim
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Restoring black bumper plastic finish?

I don't know if this is the actual bumper or whatever you call it but in the pic attached the part above the cracked part is almost blue now compared to when it was new. I had the piece below it replaced and some other piece near the light and next to the new pieces it looks like crap because the new ones are shiny black. Any ideas on how to restore to shiny black again?
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      07-04-2018, 09:47 PM   #2
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This works for me:
https://www.amazon.com/TriNova-Plast...ZFT1T3FXS9KNC0
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      07-05-2018, 10:20 AM   #3
bimbimsalabim
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Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Thanks! So you've used that on the plastic? I'm trying to figure out if it's injection molded so plastic polish will work or if it's painted in which case they say not to use it since it's the same surface as the paint. Do you happen to know?
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      07-05-2018, 10:27 AM   #4
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I use it on all my plastic, inside and out, other than the seats. I can't tell from your picture what it is, so I can't say if it's painted or not.
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      07-05-2018, 08:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimbimsalabim View Post
I don't know if this is the actual bumper or whatever you call it but in the pic attached the part above the cracked part is almost blue now compared to when it was new. I had the piece below it replaced and some other piece near the light and next to the new pieces it looks like crap because the new ones are shiny black. Any ideas on how to restore to shiny black again?
So looking at that, the color is your issue?
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      07-05-2018, 11:09 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I use it on all my plastic, inside and out, other than the seats. I can't tell from your picture what it is, so I can't say if it's painted or not.
It's this piece of the bumper: https://cl.ly/2l0x1H0y1U23
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      07-06-2018, 07:42 AM   #7
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That may or may not be painted. If it changes color and/or fades I suspect it's not painted.
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      07-06-2018, 07:47 AM   #8
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https://www.autogeek.net/dp-trim-detailer-spray.html

I have a pending order for this item - McKee's 37 Trim Detailer. Good reviews and extremely simple to apply.
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      07-06-2018, 10:52 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by IK6SPEED View Post
So looking at that, the color is your issue?

Yes the issue is that since those exterior black trim pieces are all separate the new piece where the fog light is is shiny new black and the other 2 pieces are faded and actually a tint of blue.
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      07-06-2018, 10:54 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
That may or may not be painted. If it changes color and/or fades I suspect it's not painted.
That's what I'm thinking, that because it faded so much that it's not painted. I tried using Meguiar's Plastic Polish on it and it didn't do jack ish lol. Was looking at maybe using the Turtle Wax color polish that is black and might add some pigment to it.
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      07-06-2018, 10:54 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eleven11 View Post
https://www.autogeek.net/dp-trim-detailer-spray.html

I have a pending order for this item - McKee's 37 Trim Detailer. Good reviews and extremely simple to apply.
Looks like it would work nicely on the flat matte trim but this is a shiny black bumper with some obvious clear coat spray over it even if it was injection molded so I don't think that would help
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      08-23-2019, 03:17 AM   #12
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Hello!

I signed up to the forum purely to reply to this as I’m having the same issue and considering pulling parts of my car off to try and get this fixed.

How did you manage to sort it?
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      08-23-2019, 07:53 AM   #13
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That black plastic fog light trim isn't painted. I use the TriNova I linked above on it. It works great on the outside mirrors too. The blue bumper parts are painted, if they're faded restore them with rubbing compound and polish.
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      08-23-2019, 08:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
That black plastic fog light trim isn't painted. I use the TriNova I linked above on it. It works great on the outside mirrors too. The blue bumper parts are painted, if they're faded restore them with rubbing compound and polish.
I’ve spent way too many hours on other side of the car with Meguiars Ultimate Compound and managed to improve it but not fully restore it. Also got Ultimate Black so not worried about the unpainted plastic, just the blue bit bothering me.

I’ve ordered some replacement parts by PRASCO in the hope I can work out how to fit them. I figured that even if I spent days polishing away the blue might come back again whereas if I replace with a different part it might be a permanent fix? I’ll update with photos if I manage it as I’ve not found any thread showing how to replace these parts.
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      08-23-2019, 10:07 AM   #15
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You can find out how to replace any part at www.newtis.info
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