Blacker fenders?

[CybrSlydr]

So, I'm a little surprised with how gray/washed out the black fenders on my Rubicon are.

Here's a larger version of my avatar.

It looks surprisingly gray - is this something I could grab some UV-resistant spray paint from Autozone and do on my own or is there some sort of Maguires treatment or similar that I should consider?

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[JT1]

So, I'm a little surprised with how gray/washed out the black fenders on my Rubicon are.

Here's a larger version of my avatar.

It looks surprisingly gray - is this something I could grab some UV-resistant spray paint from Autozone and do on my own or is there some sort of Maguires treatment or similar that I should consider?

the cerakote trim kit is the right answer. Painting them never looks right.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

303 aerospace protectant. Water based and gives a nice low gloss finish. Protects from UV. A little goes a long

The Amor All and tire shine products look greasy, streak in the rain and collect dust. They will also break down the plastic over time and actually cause them to turn gray and get brittle.

The Cerakote works well on old, weather faded black trim, but it leaves a very glossy coat behind, and it can’t easily be removed.

 

[Old Dogger]

Living in hot as hell Phoenix, for over 51 years, I have tried just about every product on the market, for appearance and longevity. The best by far is Meguires hot tire shine. Apply it twice a year in the shade, with a sponge. Let it dry somewhat and buff with a towel. Done

 

[ASSFROW]

I've had good luck with Mothers Back to Black. It doesn't leave them too shiny or greasy.

 

[GATORB8]

I just got a another set and I ceramic coated them inside and out before mounting them this time.

Prior to that, I want to say I was also using Mother's Back to Black.

 

[Flip]

I just got a another set and I ceramic coated them inside and out before mounting them this time.

Prior to that, I want to say I was also using Mother's Back to Black.

Looks great! What ceramic coating did you use? Is that something that can be applied to fender flares that are on the jeep?

 

[GATORB8]

Looks great! What ceramic coating did you use? Is that something that can be applied to fender flares that are on the jeep?

That is Adams Graphene Ceramic Coating after using their Prep spray. Was super easy to do off the Jeep and didn't even need to buff.

I would tape of the paint if I did it on the Jeep, but wouldn't be hard. May want to ask whichever supplier you use if their prep spray (cleaner/wax/grease remover) is enough if they have previously been coated with anything greasy.

 

[Blueliner3]

I like side by side tests. This guy’s show the relative shine and durability of several products. I was surprised by the cerakote webbing.

He does a couple follow-up vids weeks/months later.



Project Farm conducted a similar test, but, you know… that voice.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

When the fenders on my XJ looked like the TJ above, I cleaned them well and painted them with a Rustoleum bumper paint product specifically formulated to bond with plastic, did all the black trim too. They looked great for years after.

OP’s plastic is brand new. 303 will work great for years. Some of those aggressive products for weathered black trim, will ruin new plastic in a short time. Most of those old Jeeps with greyed fender flares had Armor All, or some other petrochemical based product used on them. The owner thought they were taking care of, and “protecting” it, when they were actually hastening its demise.

Same goes for waxing every week, only to find paint burning off on edges in a couple of years.

 

[YBABRAT]

I painted with Krylon Fusion Satan Black on the grayed cowel. Matched the Rubicon hood vents pretty well.

 

[CybrSlydr]

When the fenders on my XJ looked like the TJ above, I cleaned them well and painted them with a Rustoleum bumper paint product specifically formulated to bond with plastic, did all the black trim too. They looked great for years after.

OP’s plastic is brand new. 303 will work great for years. Some of those aggressive products for weather black trim, will ruin new plastic in a short time. Most of those old Jeeps with greyed fender flares had Armor All, or some other petrochemical based product used on them. The owner though they were taking care of, and “protecting” it, when they were actually hastening it’s demise.

Same goes for waxing every week, only to find paint burning off on edges in a couple of years.

That is my concern with the Cerakote stuff - they always say use it on OLD plastic, not new. In the official Cerakote vid, the guy said if the plastic is new, use a different product, their Rapid Ceramic. They say that the new plastic is still off-gassing VOCs, which will damage the ceramic coating the trim restoration kit is applying.

 

[GATORB8]

That is my concern with the Cerakote stuff - they always say use it on OLD plastic, not new. In the official Cerakote vid, the guy said if the plastic is new, use a different product, their Rapid Ceramic. They say that the new plastic is still off-gassing VOCs, which will damage the ceramic coating the trim restoration kit is applying.

I had my 2500HD ceramic'd including all the black trim as soon as it was delivered. No issues 6 months later from off gassing. I had it done since I didn't feel like doing the paint correction, they used the same Adams Graphene Ceramic I used on the new Jeep fenders.

 

[Chip]

After trying multiple products on black plastic over the years, Cerakote wipes. It's the only thing I will use in the future.

 

[Upnarms]

As far as your concern for cerakote on new fenders, i have no experience with this. But on the graying ones, nothing is better. 303, meguires, even carpro perl will all fade fairly fast. Cerakote is the most permanent fix you'll find. I took 26 year old plastic on an xj and it was a black as new.

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