Door Pillar/Roof Trim Fading Out - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ed310 · 07-01-2009, 04:28 PM

I need some help here, on my 05 camry the door pillars are fading out, no longer that shiny black but dull black and the roof trim is the same way. the same thing is happening on my dads 06 altima (pic). it looks like they are water marks but i've washed the pillars and dried them off immediately but that doesnt help.
does anyone have this type of problem and how did you deal with it?
i was thinking of (if its possible) removing the roof trim, paint it then put it back? maybe the same for the door pillars and the rest of the frame
any idea on how to restore its original color? i need to fix this on 2 cars

Marty1Mc · 07-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Typical problem with black trim in high sun areas. The black gets very hot every day. Eventually, it fades. Painting is a good option, but make sure you get all of the scratch marks by wet sanding with 800 before you paint it. Black also shows scratches like nothing else.

islandboy57 · 07-01-2009, 04:49 PM

I haven't really noticed it being a particular problem yet. Painting it black may be worse with scratches and swirl marks..

Marty1Mc · 07-01-2009, 05:53 PM

^ I have painted lots of trim (and cars)over the years, the key is to keep it smooth and tape off everything that you don't want painted. Seriously, if you use wet/dry 800 and keep it wet, very wet. Feather every edge until it is smooth with no marks. Use your left hand to feel if you are right handed, reverse for left handed. The opposite hand is more sensitive. It really doesn't take that long. Wash the surface and let it dry completely. A sunny day helps, but don't paint the surface hot! Let it cool and paint in the shade when there is low humidity. Don't hold the rattle can button down constantly either. Paint in one direction and let up on the button, press the button when you do the return stroke. This keeps excess paint from building up in the spot where you change directions and won't run.

LoudCamry · 07-01-2009, 08:07 PM

try mother back to black product, it work it my older truck.

TOYO-ED · 07-02-2009, 12:23 AM

^^ i second that. but try a little first somewhere that's not visible.

ed310 · 07-02-2009, 03:32 PM

great idea, thanx, i'll stop by the auto parts store as soon as i get a chance and try out the Mothers Back-To-Black

ebumdude · 07-04-2009, 05:51 AM

mother's back to black doesnt do anything for your pillars.

go to walmart...in the automotive chemical / paint section, you will see a product made by bondo in a little blue and black box. it is a black dye / gel. you use the applicator sponge it comes with to apply the product and it will make your pillars fresh again.

allow the product to dry for a few minutes before applying more coats. I have used that product on numerous vehicles and have had great results every time.

desentrix · 07-04-2009, 06:23 AM

Mother's black to black is supposed to be a plastic conditioner, to help moisture seep back into it.
^ you could wet sand the surface prior to trying what ebum suggested.

For others, if you pillars are not as bad as his, a coat of car polish every once in a while will do the trick.

ed310 · 07-09-2009, 04:08 PM

i picked up mothers back to black this weekend, as soon as it is applied it turns the pillars/roof trim to black, although this seems like a temporary solution, i'll just wait to see how long it lasts, so far since monday morning it looks good, once i get a chance i'll go pick up that bondo product that ebumdude was talking about just in case i need it, by any chance ebumdude do you have a picture of the product?

ed310 · 07-11-2009, 10:31 AM

just to keep up with the progress,
i told my friend about the problem and he mentioned Meguiars Plastx,
he said he used it on his car a while ago and since then he hasnt used it,
so i told him if he could bring it over to my house,
using a 6'' buffer and the liquid, restored the black shiny color back on pillars. so for the door pillars, problem solved, i'll post pic soon
we tried it on the roof trim, it helped out to make it more black than before,
but i'm still in progress with the problem, slowly reaching a solution

davidsondude5196 · 07-15-2009, 10:43 PM

I work for a detailing company and as hard as it seem to believe, these pillars fade due to the acid found in the skin. So when you touch them, over time they turn to shit. I tried to fix mine by buffing them but this only made them shiny, didnt fix the problem. Best way is to sand em down and paint them.

njerald · 07-15-2009, 10:48 PM

Yes, it's unbelievable.......................detailer worker or not.

LoudCamry · 07-15-2009, 10:51 PM

I have seen people use vinyl for their door pillar

Nick Styles · 06-14-2010, 01:18 AM

I know this is an old thread and all. But i just read on this thread about using vinyl, not a bad idea at all. Im going to try it out and see how it holds, i just purchased 4 sheets of vinyl from xpinvinyls. I bought 2 sheets of flat black and 2 sheets of the brushed aluminum chrome, will keep you guys updated to see how it looks and holds.