Alternative to Gatorback - faded cladding solutions

[Whaleboy]

So quite a while back I posted information about the Gatorback coating for a solution on our faded cladding. I kept waiting for a brave vehicross owner to come forth and put it to the test but have yet to see anyone take the plunge. I myself have hesitated because I do offroad, and I'm concerned about it's scratchability.

I've continued to poke into the Chevy Avalanche user forums every now and then because they also face the same problem as we do with faded cladding - but they're greater in numbers so they parse solutions more quickly.

Behold, a newly discovered product. It isn't a dye, nor a cleaner. It doesn't leave residue, doesn't streak from rain, and apparently lasts for MONTHS. The Avalanche owners are saying it soaks into the cladding, staying there for a considerable amount of time. It's called Refinish Restorer. And the owners over there are raving about it. I can't wait to try it, gonna order some tonight as it's pretty much no risk.

Here's a before and after:





Now the owners are claiming these results hold up for months, I've seen people mentioning 9+ months.

Here's 2 threads worth reading about the topic and more pics:

thread 1

thread 2

Good luck!

[tomdietrying]

Whaleboy,
Where ya been? We had a VX meet in lower Greenville last week. Hope to see you at the next one.

BTW-That does look like a promising solution to our fading cladding.

Peace.
Tom
012009

[Thmstec]

EXACTLY what I've been waiting for. I've ordered some and had it shipped to where I'm going to be for the next week, hopefully I'll have time to apply it

[Whaleboy]

Whaleboy,
Where ya been? We had a VX meet in lower Greenville last week. Hope to see you at the next one.

BTW-That does look like a promising solution to our fading cladding.

Peace.
Tom
012009

Hey Tom.. I haven't really had much time to drop by and check the board lately I've been so busy. I'm really sorry I missed it. Hopefully I can make the next one and bring the Kaiser and Ironman out to play.

The kaiser is currently in the shop, girlfriend got bopped in the rear end. The other parties insurance adjuster wrote up only 3 days for the length of repair. HAH HAH, yeah like those parts are gonna arrive that quickly.

[twistedsymphony]

The guy I bought my VX from gave me a bottle of this stuff from "mothers" called "Back to Black" he said it works well and lasts quite a while.... I haven't tried it yet though.

On other car that I owned with cladding I simply picked up some black vinyl die from the auto parts store and sprayed away... it soaks into the plastic and takes years to fade... no idea how well that would work on a VX though.

[taylorRichie]

Alot of us have used back to black... works well and smells good, but is a dust magnet.

[VehiGAZ]

...and it streaks in the rain.

[tom4bren]

Picky - Picky

[RAZ]

I just ordered some, mine is faded bad we'll see.

[nfpgasmask]

So what I don't like about the photos you posted is the guy has the cladding masked off on his Avalanche. Is that just an extra precaution or is this stuff bad to get on your paint job? Masking can be a big and tedious job, so if that is necissary, the stuff had better last for months!!!

Bart

[Scott Harness]

So what I don't like about the photos you posted is the guy has the cladding masked off on his Avalanche. Is that just an extra precaution or is this stuff bad to get on your paint job? Masking can be a big and tedious job, so if that is necissary, the stuff had better last for months!!!

Bart

I'm glad you noticed that.I missed it.

[nfpgasmask]

I'm glad you noticed that.I missed it.

Yeah, that's why I like the Trim Shine. You can spray it on easily, and if you get a little on the paint, just wipe it off. I mean, if you have to mask off your paint job, the stuff must do something adverse to it, right?

Bart

[Scott Harness]

Yes, makes me paranoid---I mean more paranoid

[Whaleboy]

I would imagine the owner placed the masking tape on the finish to prevent Refinish Restorer from removing the polish/wax? As apparently it will do that for plastic (if you accidentally got polish on your cladding).

Here's the labeling on the bottle:

-Freshens the colour of faded and mat plastic surfaces
-Protects against weathering
-Silicone Free
-Protects plastic and metal surfaces
-Easily removes traces of polish

Refinish Restorer is a liquid sealer for plastic and metal surfaces exposed to weathering. It penetrates deeply into the surface, driving out the ingrained dirt, restoring the original colour and provides a long lasting finish. Refinish Restorer is also very effective at removing traces of polish on e.g. plastic fenders and trims.

Now going thru thread 1, there's a number of msgs where one of the owners applied it during the day and it had rained on the vehicle all evening. Only to come outside the next day and see NO streaking, no dissipation. The photo is pretty cool.

[So-CalVX]

how many bottles should do the whole truck?
or should i just stock up on some?