Last Updated on June 28, 2022 by Stewart
One of the best ways to really finish off a car detail is to make sure that the trims look fantastic.
Do you need to detail or dress car trim?
Trim dressing and detailing is often a part of the detailing process that is overlooked by a lot of enthusiasts. It’s often deemed to be a part of the process which isn’t very important and so, it gets missed.
However, it can really make or break the overall finish of the car.
I would always say that yes, the trims should be dressed. This is especially true when it comes to new cars. On new cars, owners don’t feel that they need to dress the trim since it is brand new. Much like wax can protect the paint, adding a dressing to the trim will protect it from UV damage, as well as continuing to make it look as good as new.
For cars that are a bit older that haven’t had the trim looked after, it can make it look old, tired and grey. This makes it look extremely unsightly and ruins the overall finish of the car. If wax or polish gets onto this trim, it can be really difficult (although not impossible) to remove it.
How to detail car trim
This can be achieved by using dressings. Regardless of the dressing used, it will improve the overall appearance of it. The success of this is based on the condition of the trim, as well as the quality of the dressing used. It is also important to note that the trim must be properly prepared before applying a dressing to it. A mild APC can be used to prepare it, and then thoroughly rinse it thereafter. By preparing it in this manner, it will mean that as much dressing as possible binds to the trim, thereby helping to increase its longevity.
There are a lot of dressings available on the market, so it can be difficult to pick which one to choose. To help with your choice, we’ve reviewed several trim dressings and restoration products to make you choice a bit easier. Some products will have specific application instructions, but this will also be considered and discussed in the review.
The Best Trim Dressing and Restorer– The ultimate list at the best dressings on the market.
Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care– A multipurpose vinyl and rubber treatment option. Read the review to see how well it performs.
Gtechniq C4 Trim Restorer– How well does C4 fare in turning trim back to black?