Trim restoration

Hi.

Is there any way to restore the shine on this trim? Messed it up with alcohol.

TIA

If you're talking about the hand pull area you want to clean it to remove any shine - trim & seats were originally matte finish. Looks like there might be a build-up of body oils or lotion.

I actually messed it up with alcohol while removing tint glue from the windows. It used to be shiny and smooth to the touch like the rest, now it’s matte and sticky.

cubeten wrote

I actually messed it up with alcohol while removing tint glue from the windows. It used to be shiny and smooth to the touch like the rest, now it’s matte and sticky.

Have you tried hitting it with like detail spray or spray wax?

Alcohol will dry things out, which is sometimes why it's suggested as a way to take away shine and bring back the factory correct matte finish, though, in your case, it looks too matte.

If it were leather, I'd apply leatherique and let sit, then wipe with damp towel, but I think it's vinyl/plastic, so I'd use aerospace 303 (protectant) to give it some life back, let dwell, then wipe with damp MF towel.

You don't want "shine." That's wear that's polished down or it's grease or oil from our bodies.

N1rve wrote

Have you tried hitting it with like detail spray or spray wax?

No, haven’t tried anything yet. Intended to try one of the “plastic restorer” products.

cubeten wrote

No, haven’t tried anything yet. Intended to try one of the “plastic restorer” products.

I would try the least aggressive method first. Some plastic restorers are meant for exterior only and leaves like a greasy feel which you don’t want in your interior handle. So read carefully on the plastic trim restorer.

FWIW, I'd agree to try and put something on top of it. You may have accidentally had a solvent start to break down that surface and permanently change its texture. I don't think you'll be able to undo that. Perhaps something like a leather product soaked on it will bring it back to an extent, but yeah it's more of a shine aspect with a chemical layer replacing that surface finish.

You could go for it and wipe the whole panel down to make it all dull and then try to bring all of it back to match, but of course compared to nearby plastics or the other side of the car it may not match.

It's not a big spot, and only you would notice it, you might try a few easy things (leather treater for example) and if that doesn't work do your best to forget about it.