Brightening Up the Exterior Plastic

I always try to keep my E clean. But is there anything I can do about the plastic exterior besides washing it? Is there any kind of protectant I can put on to help shine it up, and keep its color from fading in the sun? I've tried Armoral on it, and it seemed to work out pretty well. I just want to know if anyone else has any better ideas. Thanks!!

My advice is to DO NOTHING. Just keep them clean and enjoy your E.
Generally the outside black trim on a car turns gray over time. Since
the trim on the E already is gray, what' the worst that will happen.
Just leave it alone and it will be just fine. My experience is once
you apply some sort of coating, it last for a short time and then you
are a slave to it for the life of the car because you have to keep
reapplying it over and over again.

My advice is to DO NOTHING. Just keep them clean and enjoy your E.
Generally the outside black trim on a car turns gray over time. Since
the trim on the E already is gray, what' the worst that will happen.
Just leave it alone and it will be just fine. My experience is once
you apply some sort of coating, it last for a short time and then you
are a slave to it for the life of the car because you have to keep
reapplying it over and over again.

As recommended by Honda:
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner/Polish

Just follow hppypaul's advice: DON'T DO A THING. I've had my silver E for 5 months now, and i still haven't applied any type of protectant to the outer panels. They still look great!!

I have used the 303 aerospace protectant with good results. I usually apply every 2 months. I'm mostly interested in the UV protection. The plastic color definately looks richer and deeper after application and lasts 4-6 weeks. Even Honda suggests maintenance products for these plastic sections. Ignore them at your own risk.

I can vouch for the 303 Aerospace Protectant. Does a great job. I had an occasion where something got on one of the panels. Looked like a big blob of axle grease. I wiped it off and it left a large light colored spot. I tried washing it. No help. I then used the 303 and it took it right out. Can't tell it was ever a spot there.

You know how when you put Amorall on your tires, how it turns it that nasty brown color after time? I am curious if that same thing would happen if you put a protectant on the grey stuff. I am scared to put anything on it - even the 303 - for fear it will do that.

Has anyone put protectant on theirs and if so, did it brown out?

I use Mother's Back to black and it looks great. A good quality polish and protectant. I use 303 on the interior and all of my kayaks. There's nothing better for UV protection IMO.

[quote:029309ba8a="Kayakin' Dan"]I use Mother's Back to black and it looks great. A good quality polish and protectant. I use 303 on the interior and all of my kayaks. There's nothing better for UV protection IMO.[/quote:029309ba8a]

UV is a big thing where I come from. :) What is 303?

Hi,

I posted a link in an earlier post within this thread. This link has a lot of marketing info:

http://www.303products.com

Their trademark: “SPF 40 Sunscreen…For Your Stuff”™

use leather conditioner on the plastic..... or lexol makes a plastic cleaner and conditioner its around 12.00 a bottle but worth it... its important to keep the clean and conditioned or the will eventually turn white....

[quote:a8df09737b="GregP"]Hi,
I posted a link in an earlier post within this thread. This link has a lot of marketing info:
http://www.303products.com
Their trademark: “SPF 40 Sunscreen…For Your Stuff”™[/quote:a8df09737b]

:roll: ... I wonder if I can wear it, too?

i was told by the guy that sold me my element (5 days ago) that he was instrcuted to tell people NOT to pu ANYTHING on the plastic panels - NOT EVEN SOAP!

Apparently, a customer brought back his element with pitted plastic panels! He got them replaced.

[quote:5c2eb163eb="tapestry"]i was told by the guy that sold me my element (5 days ago) that he was instrcuted to tell people NOT to pu ANYTHING on the plastic panels - NOT EVEN SOAP!

Apparently, a customer brought back his element with pitted plastic panels! He got them replaced.[/quote:5c2eb163eb]

I'm going to have to call BS on that guy, haven't heard anyone on this board complain of that (and there's way more elements on this board than that sales guy has ever seen). I think the only concern is keeping wax off of it and trying to find a protectant to keep it "like new"

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3840

They told me armourall...but I don't want the sheen. Does the 303 stuff dry flat?

Honda apparently has their own "Plastic Protection" product out for the E panels. I think one of the other posts has a link, picture and PN. I have not called my dealer yet but plan to... I think the UV protection could be a good idea, although to date, I have on purpose not put anything on the panels except soap and water and then shammee it off... they look great, no scratches or other issues.

I've used black magic as an alternative to armor all which was known to cause cracking on vinyl/plastic/rubber surfaces.
I apply it twice a year usually when I wax the car spring and fall.
Then just wipe it clean any other time. :idea:

I used 303 just like they recommend and it left faint streaks on the plastic panels. I went over it with a dry cloth after spraying it on like they recommended and the next morning I came out to find streaks. I wiped it down again with a dry cloth but they are still there. I used it on the dash and it worked fine.

Anybody use 303 on the panels have a similiar experience? :?:

[quote:d1b9d0a584="subwoofella"]I used 303 just like they recommend and it left faint streaks on the plastic panels. I went over it with a dry cloth after spraying it on like they recommended and the next morning I came out to find streaks. I wiped it down again with a dry cloth but they are still there. I used it on the dash and it worked fine.

Anybody use 303 on the panels have a similiar experience? :?:[/quote:d1b9d0a584]

You might just need to apply another coat or two of 303 to get rid of the streaking. When I first put Zaino protectant on mine, it took about 3 applications before it looked really uniform. Since then, I've been totally happy with Zaino.

I'm thinking that the streaks that you're seeing are just where more of the 303 got soaked into the panels than it did in other places. Good luck.

[quote:829419ee8d="subwoofella"]Anybody use 303 on the panels have a similiar experience? :?:[/quote:829419ee8d]

Nope. It may be your application technique. Try really saturating the panels.

hey guys thought this topic would still be going strong lol. I own a mobil detail biz and can shed some light on it. I would use lexol or 303 products both are very good companys. armorall will not cause your dash to crack leaving your dash in the sun will. I wouldn't use armorall however to greasy and hard to get off windows I use 303's water bassed dressings inside the car (this also seals the dashboard from vinyl offgassing that leaves that film on your windows). I am testing a product on my E right now that I use on my dealer accounts it lasts for 90 days and gives a nice satin look.

HONDA MAKES A CLEANER AND STUFF TO FIX ANY MARKS

Cleaned the E again this week. Spent about 3 hours cleaning, vacuuming, putting an initial coat of protectant on. I used the Vinylex by Lexol. It works well, just make sure your E is real dry before putting it on the exterior panels, or the water will run down and make a streak. I also noticed if you get it on the paint it makes a nice smudge. The interior really looks nice, and if you arent big on shiny - 1 coat is dull and 2 coats are shiny.


Mr. Fogger: Will this stuff that fix marks cover the scratches my dog has put in the interior?

LAE, THEY SAY IT WILL MY ELEMENT IS BRAND NEW AND MY FRIEND HAS HIS PANITED TO MATCH SO I CAN NOT SWEAR BY IT SORRY

You can always just do NOTHING! And love whatever the result is! Or NOT, for you contrarians! Just like a dog (pay attention dog-lovers!), even if I intentionally ignore it, my E still looks good, and still loves ME just the same. Know what I mean? (Note: I didn't suggest brutalizing your dog; just ignoring it!) For the record, I love dogs as much as the next person, but they are not "four-legged persons" and neither is an Element a four-wheeled person, in my book!

It may be the utter and complete failure of your application technique, you twit!!! You may be really screwing up your Element, and not even knowing it! Imagine that!? Silly me. I assumed a person only had to buy one and enjoy it. But I guess I have failed as a Honda Element owner in, oh, so many ways. But, still, I imagine there are lots of you out there now who feel so ashamed that your technique sucks. That's really sad. But then again, you can ignore this post as readily as you can any other unspecified post.