Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
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Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
I've noticed a couple of spots on some of the rubber window surrounds on my Integra that looks like a sander may have hit it at some point in the past. As such the normally semi-flat black rubber finish is marred. Is there any possible way to smooth out the spot and bring back that smooth, semi-flat finish?
Since it's rubber (not plastic) I don't think trim paint would be desirable, or would even work, for this type of material.
Since it's rubber (not plastic) I don't think trim paint would be desirable, or would even work, for this type of material.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
I don't believe there is a way to restore rubber trim. I have heard of someone using plastidip? Best way is to just buy new ones.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
Crap, this is the rubber edge around the rear hatch glass on my Integra. Don't think that would be very easy to replace.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
No personal experience, but you might want to try:
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
That's a liquid product that can restore faded plastic and rubber trim, but it wouldn't do anything for scuffed trim.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
i would like to know as well. mine are moldy looking and would like to restore them to new. i was told to wetsand them down and hit them rubbing compund then finish with mothers back to black
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
Are you talking about rubber or plastic trim? I don't know if wetsanding rubber trim would work or not.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
It will wetsand. I've done it to some side moldings which are prolly just a little harder. Kinda aggravating to do, the paper wants to dig in to the rubber. I use soapy water for a little lube. Use a light touch.
The old rubber flows off and then use the finer stuff to get an even finish on the whole piece. Better be careful around that glass with the sandpaper or your gonna have a much tougher problem, lol. Mask it well
The old rubber flows off and then use the finer stuff to get an even finish on the whole piece. Better be careful around that glass with the sandpaper or your gonna have a much tougher problem, lol. Mask it well
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
i've tried to fix problems like this for people and i've never had luck with fixing textured / window mouldings or body mouldings.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
Epoxy finishes rock hard, but the mouldings are just a bit flexible, like you can stick your fingernail in it and see the little dimple until it heals itself. Not sure if that would turn out very well.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
eh can't really spend that kind of money. Plus the quarter glass rubber trim isn't available separately from the glass itself. The rear hatch glass rubber trim is about $150.
Guess I'll just leave it as-is.
Guess I'll just leave it as-is.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
If it's the rear hatch glass, I'm going to assume that it is similar to 92-00 civics (which I'm familiar with) in such that, in order to replace the rear rubber trim, the glass needs to be pulled out (if I'm thinking of it being bonded to the hatch itself). The glass needs to come out because the rubber trim has a little lip that wraps around the glass itself before being bonded in.
If you're talking about the quarter glass, the entire glass needs to be replaced (as per a coupe model civic). Last I checked for my car ('95), the glass is in the neighborhood of $78 - $85 my cost (per side), and need to be professionally removed/installed.
If it's the door strip, they're reasonably priced (~$45 per side) and are a DIY task.
For my current car, I did not go the full respray route this time, so what I've found that works pretty fair at hiding blemishes is using the Mothers Back to Black (or whatever it's called). Clean the rubber thoroughly and apply/reapply generously probably 4-5 times on a warmer day and allow it to soak in before you wipe it clean. After several applications, you'll be surprised at how much newer it can look (and I'm a really picky guy).
Good luck
If you're talking about the quarter glass, the entire glass needs to be replaced (as per a coupe model civic). Last I checked for my car ('95), the glass is in the neighborhood of $78 - $85 my cost (per side), and need to be professionally removed/installed.
If it's the door strip, they're reasonably priced (~$45 per side) and are a DIY task.
For my current car, I did not go the full respray route this time, so what I've found that works pretty fair at hiding blemishes is using the Mothers Back to Black (or whatever it's called). Clean the rubber thoroughly and apply/reapply generously probably 4-5 times on a warmer day and allow it to soak in before you wipe it clean. After several applications, you'll be surprised at how much newer it can look (and I'm a really picky guy).
Good luck
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
SoCal EJ1 - But the OP has scuff marks on the rubber and is looking for something that will fill in those imperfections and restore the trim. Not just restoring the color of the trim back to a newer looking black.
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Re: Possible to restore damaged rubber trim?
Just some results for Plastidip... it dimples too, like you previously mentioned OP.
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-ge...rome-trim.html
http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/1st-ge...rome-trim.html
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