Merlin
A Miracle Detailing
Dry Shine - Black Trim Restore Treatment
“Give your faded black plastic bumpers, running boards and trim a DRY and PERMANENT “Brand New Look” treatment that restores both the rich black color and factory shine to your vehicle’s black trim.”
What I have found is that almost every week someone in the detail products industry comes out with a “revolutionary” new product.
Most of them do not live up the manufacturer hype or claims. I don't even want to begin to say how many products I have on my shelf.
At one time or another I have used just about every trim restore product that’s ever been made, most of them with very mixed results.
In the trim restore product line almost all of them are some greasy, oily product that sits on the surface and does not last.
I watched a demonstration of the product and this is what I learned:
Preparation is the key!
Clean the plastics with a degreaser first. This removes dirt and any prior treatment product(s). I used 91% isopropyl alcohol.
Prepare the application area.
Use blue painters tape and tape off ALL paint and glass and cover any exposed areas with newspaper and towels.
This stuff does NOT come off! It does not come off glass, even cleaning it and scraping it with a razor blade.
NOTE: There is some stuff you can get from the manufacturer that will remove it. It's baking soda based???
Application Process.
Put on rubber gloves. This stuff does not come off clothes or your skin.
Apply with the foam applicator in one direction only! Do NOT go back and forth.
Apply thin coats. Multiple coats can be applied if you want to go darker and/or shinier.
Dry Shine Black Trim Restore Treatment is water based and contains a "black dye".
IMHO This is probably NOT a regular consumer auto parts store product. Take your time and be careful.
Keep a wet cloth handy and wipe off any excess right away. Before it dries! I used 90% isopropyl alcohol.
The KIT includes 4 oz Treatment, Foam Applicator, Microfiber Towel and Rubber Gloves.
At first appearance it looks like a very small bottle. Don't let that fool you a few drops go a very long way.
There are much more detailed application instructions printed on the bottle. Follow the manufacturers instructions.
Here are my results with Dry Shine Black Trim Restore Treatment
What I did:
I taped off paint and cleaned the trim surfaces with 90% isopropyl alcohol.
I did this to remove dirt and any prior product residue. I put on the rubber cloves and shook the product thoroughly.
I applied the product as directed in one direction not going over the area I had already done.
It takes about 15-30 minutes to dry then I applied a second coat.
The Results:
The grey trim turned black and the finish was dry and not greasy. (NOTE: The pictures below are only two coats)
Once or twice I got a little on the paint. I used the 91% isopropyl alcohol on a rag and it was completely removed.
If this happens you need to clean it off the paint or glass right away! I did this and I was not a problem to remove.
Actually it came off very easily. Do not let it dry then think you can get this product off. It ain’t happenin’
Then next day I washed the truck. It didn’t make a dent in the finish and water beads rolled off just like a fine wax.
This trim was grey folks! It's more like a coating than a dressing.
Conclusion:
It works as advertised. The gray trim is black. It is dry and not greasy. It has a nice shine to it. It took 5-10 minutes to prepare and apply.
Now if it lives up the claim "LASTS for months...even years!", rather than weeks (or less) like other products, I’ll be a very happy camper.
Follow Up:
I originally wrote this review Jan 15, 2011. It has been 5 months and the trim is still black. I will admit it has lost a bit of it's original "shine".
I just reapplied another coat and it took me about 5 minutes to apply. It can be finicky to apply. To get the shine wipe it on VERY lightly.
“Give your faded black plastic bumpers, running boards and trim a DRY and PERMANENT “Brand New Look” treatment that restores both the rich black color and factory shine to your vehicle’s black trim.”
What I have found is that almost every week someone in the detail products industry comes out with a “revolutionary” new product.
Most of them do not live up the manufacturer hype or claims. I don't even want to begin to say how many products I have on my shelf.
At one time or another I have used just about every trim restore product that’s ever been made, most of them with very mixed results.
In the trim restore product line almost all of them are some greasy, oily product that sits on the surface and does not last.
I watched a demonstration of the product and this is what I learned:
Preparation is the key!
Clean the plastics with a degreaser first. This removes dirt and any prior treatment product(s). I used 91% isopropyl alcohol.
Prepare the application area.
Use blue painters tape and tape off ALL paint and glass and cover any exposed areas with newspaper and towels.
This stuff does NOT come off! It does not come off glass, even cleaning it and scraping it with a razor blade.
NOTE: There is some stuff you can get from the manufacturer that will remove it. It's baking soda based???
Application Process.
Put on rubber gloves. This stuff does not come off clothes or your skin.
Apply with the foam applicator in one direction only! Do NOT go back and forth.
Apply thin coats. Multiple coats can be applied if you want to go darker and/or shinier.
Dry Shine Black Trim Restore Treatment is water based and contains a "black dye".
IMHO This is probably NOT a regular consumer auto parts store product. Take your time and be careful.
Keep a wet cloth handy and wipe off any excess right away. Before it dries! I used 90% isopropyl alcohol.
The KIT includes 4 oz Treatment, Foam Applicator, Microfiber Towel and Rubber Gloves.
At first appearance it looks like a very small bottle. Don't let that fool you a few drops go a very long way.
There are much more detailed application instructions printed on the bottle. Follow the manufacturers instructions.
Here are my results with Dry Shine Black Trim Restore Treatment
What I did:
I taped off paint and cleaned the trim surfaces with 90% isopropyl alcohol.
I did this to remove dirt and any prior product residue. I put on the rubber cloves and shook the product thoroughly.
I applied the product as directed in one direction not going over the area I had already done.
It takes about 15-30 minutes to dry then I applied a second coat.
The Results:
The grey trim turned black and the finish was dry and not greasy. (NOTE: The pictures below are only two coats)
Once or twice I got a little on the paint. I used the 91% isopropyl alcohol on a rag and it was completely removed.
If this happens you need to clean it off the paint or glass right away! I did this and I was not a problem to remove.
Actually it came off very easily. Do not let it dry then think you can get this product off. It ain’t happenin’
Then next day I washed the truck. It didn’t make a dent in the finish and water beads rolled off just like a fine wax.
This trim was grey folks! It's more like a coating than a dressing.
Conclusion:
It works as advertised. The gray trim is black. It is dry and not greasy. It has a nice shine to it. It took 5-10 minutes to prepare and apply.
Now if it lives up the claim "LASTS for months...even years!", rather than weeks (or less) like other products, I’ll be a very happy camper.
Follow Up:
I originally wrote this review Jan 15, 2011. It has been 5 months and the trim is still black. I will admit it has lost a bit of it's original "shine".
I just reapplied another coat and it took me about 5 minutes to apply. It can be finicky to apply. To get the shine wipe it on VERY lightly.
