Dull / faded door handles on W126

[Norm126]

I'm finding the door handles on my W126 are getting quite faded. I have tried various products but none of them seem to last very long. Can anyone recommend a way to restore them a bit?

 

[wobbly]

I used to use a product called Forever Black, on my 107, it looked great, and lasted. I would use it once a year.

 

[jaymanek]

There are lots of products out there for this purpose... im sure the detailing brigade will be along shortly but I use the Auto Glym exterior plastic stuff... works well for me.

I have used some other stuff that looks like hair gel, lasts for ages but its a bit messier to apply. That was a meguirs item I think.

 

[Norm126]

I've used things like AG bumper care, Black Wow, etc.

I just googled that "Forever Black", it even has a Merc on the packaging! Might give that a try.

 

[vijilants]

Try this.....expensive but its the best stuff I have ever used - I put the stuff onto my two roof rails two years ago and they still have shine on them Nothing else used on them since.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/body...ack-plastic-trim-today-all-i-can-say-wow.html

 

[jonnyMercUK]

You could try AF Revive.

Example can be seen here

Mini Cooper, sealant 3 month update and re-protect - Detailing World

 

[mikec32]

This will sort problem out and for a very long time indeed!

Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer - 15ml - Elite Car Care

....and a little video from the guys on application

Gtechniq C4 Trim Restore application instructions - YouTube

Kind regards

Michael

 

[coalville126]

Short of using products with black pigments or dyes, I've yet to find a product that made them shiny black.

The Gtechniq C4 permanent trim restorer looks great, but £23 for a tiny 15ml bottle I think I'll stick with Halfords exterior trim treatment till it runs out. It's a liquid like the Gtechniq and applied in a similar fashion. It's a pity they don't sell them anymore.

Just a thought - 126 door handles are a matt almost black finish even when new.

 

[neilz]

Used Gtechniq T1, as black as new again and been staying that way for a few weeks with no signs of fading at all. Used some on all my rubber trim, the black bits of the grille and of course tyres

 

[ss201]

Daft as it may sound, but I've used boiled linseed oil on my door handles and other bits of external black vinyl trim and it brings them up a treat. If you've any left over from your cricketing days, try it. Make sure you buff it afterwards - if you do, it won't be in any way sticky. Cheap as......

 

[Norm126]

Thanks for all the replies. I know the door handles are more of a dark grey rather than black, but mine have just faded too light and are a bit blotchy in parts. I might just rub them down with something like bar keepers friend to start with and then apply one of the above mentioned products. See how that goes.

I'll report back with the results.

 

[ianrandom]

Hmm I thought about gently sanding them and then buffing them up, but wouldn't want to ruin them. Mine are similar, almost seem a bit porous in the way they can be blotchy.
I have seen them be painted, but for me that wouldn't be good because I'd hate it if they got chipped, which to me seems very likely.

 

[Norm126]

Yes I don't think painting them would work that well. Bar Keepers Friend is a sort of abrasive I think so is going to be very similar to gentle sanding in a way. Then it's just a case of putting something on them to keep them looking good and also protected. That Gtechniq C4 sounds like it could be worth a try.

I'll let you know how I get on Ian. I'll take some photos as well.

 

[coalville126]

If they are blotchy, it's most likely that oils (from hands) or other contaminants have been absorbed by the porous surface.

Rather than sanding, you might want to try degreasing them first or careful & gentle use of a hot air gun like VW folks use on their faded black plastic bumpers - they can really be patchy on their 80's models with vast swathes of black plastic, not just bumpers, but wheel arch, sill trim and door rubbing strips. Then apply any sort of treatment.

 

[Tommyje]

I have always used AutoGlym Bumper Care, it have been one of the best for me for almost 18 years.

 

[CKLclive]

I agree with ss201 he has hit the nail on the head as so to speak Boiled linseed or Peanut oil is the only real way of restoring black plastic trim because over time plastic contains oil which breaks down hence fading if you treat the plastic with a natural oil it will revive and look like new and will last unlike all the expensive fancy products which to be honest dont work or only for a limited time

 

[coalville126]

I've heard of using boiled linseed oil, but peanut oil?

I'll have to give that a try when the weather improves. Is there a technique in applying or just a matter of rub on and buff off?

 

[neilz]

Attached - GTechniq T1 on handle (and rubber trim and tyres) - 3 weeks on. My advice - T1

 

[Norm126]

I have actually heard of using peanut butter as well! But peanut oil would probably be a lot less messy!

Lots of options anyway! Thankfully the W126 doesn't have that much dark plastic trim at least.