GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer REVIEW

Todd@RUPES

Just a regular guy
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GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer

Restore your trim's natural good looks!

  • 3S nano composite coating for plastic trim
  • Restores trim to “as new” condition
  • Lasts for up to two years


What is it?
Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer is a semi-permanent coating that chemically bonds to your vehicle's trim! This unique trim treatment is so unique that it might be easier to discuss what Gtechniq C4 permanent Trim Restorer isn't. It is not an oil that darkens the trim and makes it shiny for a couple of weeks. It is not a streak-prone, greasy looking dye that fades as soon as quickly as it is exposed to sunlight.

What does it do?
Gtechniq restores your faded trim to a “like new” appearance by forming an ultra thin (30 nano-meters thick) protective coating. This thin coating forms a covalent bond with your trim to actually become an extension of the plastic molecule it is protecting. It is this ultra thin coating that restores the “like new” levels of darkness with out creating a greasy sheen. You can expect Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer to last approximately 2 years from a single application.

What benefits does it offer?
Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer has strong UV absorption filters which protect the trim under the protective coating from sun fade. This makes Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer the ideal solution to stop fading and oxidation before it starts. Use Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer on all but the most faded trim pieces such as plastic grills, wiper cowls, bumper trim, door handles, and rear view mirrors to restore their original appearance or keep them looking like new!


Application and Photos

My 2006 Tahoe's trim had seen better days and was showing some sun fade. Given the year of the truck, it was in really good shape, but it made a perfect test bed for one of the best trim products on the market - GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer.

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GTechniq Permanent Trim Restorer is like a nano-glass cermanic coating for your paint, but designed to be applied to porous and hard plastic, vinyl and trim. The first step is too make sure the trim is free of any old dressing, silicone, wax or oil. I started cleaning with GTechniq's Panel Wipe and a Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush.

Because Panel Wipe is a fast-acting solvent, I used a damp microfiber towel to lightly wipe the surface before spraying the trim. Then lightly scrubbed the panel and wiped dry with a second microfiber towel.

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The running board after being cleaned.

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Next I ran a tape line on the running board for a more dramatic before/after shot. GTechniq C4 comes with make-up like applicators to apply the product with. Very little goes a long way as C4 is fairly thin and runny.

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Allow a few drops to dampen the appicator then spread into a thin coat using overlapping passes. Take your time and work around the trim, making sure to cover the entire surface area. Add more product as needed and spread until the piece is completely covered.

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After applying, come back immediately with a dry, lint-free microfiber towel and lightly buff off any excess. If you see any thin or missed spots, now is the time to add a little more product, then buff smooth.

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Here is the 50/50 split shot, showing the difference the coating has created.

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The difference is/was dramatic. The Tahoe immediately looked years fresher.

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I applied C4, using the same techniques as above to both the passenger side and the rear bumper trim. GTechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer applies even easier when installed on shaded, cool-to-the-touch trim.

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The dark, satin shine is dry to the touch and looks fresh. It really does look great. I will post updates and see how long it lasts. My experience so far, particularly with other GTech products like Clear Vision Smart Glass, is that they exceed quoted protection times.

Thanks for reading, updates to follow.
 
I'm torn between this and CarPro D-Lux. Thanks for the review Todd.

Looks like with either, you cannot go wrong.

I'm concluding on one hand, that with either product, the preparation of such parts on a vehicle are even more important, and critical, than the application of said products themselves.

Like the "3 Bears", not too much prior prepping, or too little. That one needs to be "just right" to achieve optimal final results.

Perhaps such as the GTechniq Panel Wipe would be a wise choice, as it will probably gently cleanse, and prepare such parts, without imparting any damages, versus other prep methods, and products.

I think this is an important key to success, and proper bonding.
Mark
 
Excellent review Todd. I have bottle of 30ml sitting waiting to be tried. Todd do think it will bond with opti-coat well.
 
Great review as always Todd. Thank you for the support!

Excellent review Todd. I have bottle of 30ml sitting waiting to be tried. Todd do think it will bond with opti-coat well.

It would probably be best to apply C4 to untreated plastic. I am not sure if it will bond with Opti as well as it would with just untreated plastic. It may lay down on top of the Opti, but it will not last as long.
 
Great review Todd. I subscribed as well for reports on C4's durability. I didn't have the best of luck with it but then again I probably needed to prep the surface more.
 
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to overcome, when using such products is Silicone.

Yep, that nasty Armor you know what, and Son of a gun folks, it ain't coming off.

I personally know one of the finest opticians, and telescope makers in the world, Roland Christen of Astro-Physics in Rockford, Ill. (you'll go on about a 6-7 year waiting list to get one of his Telescopes, and trust that you'll never lose a dime buying one) They all appreciate in value bar none.

Yes, I own one of Roland's masterpieces, and won't be parting with it anytime soon!

Roland once commented about silicones, and getting them on such things like Glass Optics.
That they are impossible to remove, and the only way he's found to remove them, is by grinding them off.

Imagine that, a surface (Glass, and such as even harder Mag Flouride Coatings) that one would think is highly non-porous, and silicone comes along (yes, something like Armor All) will not come off no matter what cleaner, or solvent used. And that includes solvents such as Denatured Alcohol, and Acetone.
Mark
 
Heard the same in the audio world as well, about silicones, and what damages they do.

That to think you're doing yourself a favor, using armor all on all your nice power cords, and interconnects, and get this stuff on terminals, is again a product you won't easily remove, and basically compromise-ruin an electrical connection.
Mark
 
Hey Todd, any updates on how the trim looks on that Tahoe? Also, would you use this product on the trim of a new vehicle as a protectorant?
 
I used this on the cowl of my brothers range rover sport and it really made a huge difference. I think this is a great product. It is the only permanent trim restorer I have ever used.
 
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